New Year's Dive Scheveningen

Nieuwjaarsduik Scheveningen

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Nature & SeasonScheveningen
DatesDates TBA · Usually JanuaryCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forSeasonal rites, water traditionsWhat started with eight people jumping into
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: EUR
CategoryNature & SeasonFestival type
The story

New Year's Dive Scheveningen in Scheveningen

The Scheveningen New Year's Dive, or Nieuwjaarsduik, brings thousands of people into the cold North Sea at noon on January 1 each year, followed by a bowl of hot pea soup on the beach. Begun in 1965 by a small group of local swimmers and sponsored by soup brand Unox since 1998, it has grown into the country's best-known version of a tradition now held at more than 200 Dutch locations.

On January 1, 1965, a Scheveningen resident and former canal swimmer named Jan van Scheijndel and seven friends decided, apparently on a whim, to start the new year by jumping into the freezing North Sea.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What started with eight people jumping into freezing water on a whim has become a mass participation event, with around 10,000 people joining the Scheveningen dive each year, all wearing the same distinctive orange Unox beanie handed out at registration

02

The mystery stays covered

The sponsor's involvement since 1998 has turned a spontaneous local tradition into a well-organized public event complete with trained lifeguards stationed along the pier and free pea soup for every participant afterward, without losing the informal, everyone-in-the-water spirit that started it

03

The city starts moving

Because more than 200 similar dives now take place around the country on the same day, Scheveningen functions as the flagship version, the one most associated nationally with the tradition, even though it is one dive among many

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The dive originated in 1965 when a small group of Scheveningen locals jumped into the sea on New Year's Day on impulse

Water and renewal

Living ritual

and the practice of finishing with a bowl of hot pea soup

The sacred route

Living ritual

now a fixture of the event

The local code

Living ritual

reflects a broader Dutch tradition of eating erwtensoep as cold-weather comfort food

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually January

Getting around

Use Scheveningen transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Swimwear under a warm coat that can be shed quickly beforehand and put back on immediately after; many participants wear the free orange Unox beanie as part of the look. Waterproof sandals...

Safety

Keep photography restrained at New Year's Dive Scheveningen; give people room and treat community moments as more than scenery.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Scheveningen, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Public water rituals are often open, but boat, viewing, or activity access may be paid.

Language/currency

EUR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map52.10 N, 4.28 EOpen in Google Maps

Scheveningen, South Holland, Netherlands

Nearest airportRTM — Rotterdam The Hague
TransportUse Scheveningen transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Scheveningen, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Scheveningen via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Scheveningen, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for January.Compare faresFestival gearSwimwear under a warm coat that can be shed quickly beforehand and put back on immediately after; many participants wear the free orange Unox beanie as part of the look. Waterproof sandals or old shoes help on the cold, potentially rocky shoreline.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Netherlands and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is New Year's Dive Scheveningen?

New Year's Dive Scheveningen is listed for Past edition: 1 January 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does New Year's Dive Scheveningen take place?

The festival is listed in Scheveningen, Netherlands. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Scheveningen, South Holland, Netherlands

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLtimeanddate.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually January
Source statusOfficial source linked
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