General

This year, Open Monument Day is being organized by the Open Monument Day Wassenaar Committee on Saturday, September 12, 2026, and Sunday, September 13. On Sunday, September 13, a route along the monuments in Wassenaar will be organized featuring historic cars. These historic cars will be on display in the renovated center of Wassenaar on Sunday afternoon. This year’s theme is “Resilient Heritage” in times of uncertainty and 40 years of Open Monument Day.

Throughout the Netherlands, the Nederland Monumentenland foundation organizes Open Monument Days on the second weekend of September in collaboration with more than 300 local committees and 18,000 volunteers. In the past, the event in Wassenaar attracted thousands of visitors, and approximately 1.3 million visitors annually throughout the Netherlands. During Open Monument Day, thousands of monuments in the Netherlands are opened to the general public to increase public interest in monuments and support for monument preservation. Not only do thousands of monuments open their doors for free, but countless activities are also organized: exhibitions, guided tours, cycling routes, walks, musical performances, as well as many activities for young people.
The cultural event connects people with monuments and shows that the stories and beauty of monuments are an enrichment for our living environment and for ourselves.

European Heritage Days

European Heritage Days Open Monument Day is part of a larger whole, the European Heritage Days. The first Open Monument Day in Wassenaar and in the Netherlands was organized in 1987 following an earlier French initiative. Subsequently, in 1989, the Cultural Heritage Committee of the Council of Europe organized an international consultation regarding possible European Open Monument Days. This led to the first European Heritage Days in 1991. Eleven countries participated that year. Open Monument Day is now organized in fifty countries.

Dates for upcoming Open Monument Day editions in Wassenaar:
• 2026: September 12 – theme: “Resilient heritage” In times of uncertainty / 40 years of Open Monument Day
• 2027: 11 September – theme: Hidden heritage
• 2028: 9 September – theme: Heritage of the future

Wassenaar 2025

We are currently still working on the program. We will publish it as soon as possible.

Keep an eye on this page for possible updates.