VIVA VATHORST - Canal Festival
July 11, 2026
Saturday, July 11, Vathorst is all about party and sport: Viva Vathorst is celebrating its 5th anniversary and that goes hand in hand with Swim to Fight Cancer. Hundreds of participants will swim through the canals of the Laak to raise money for cancer research. From first stroke to last note: this will be an unforgettable day!
With a bite to eat and a drink in hand offered by the various food trucks, there is plenty to enjoy.
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Swim to fight cancer
Cheer on the swimmers from the festival grounds and bridges to the finish line during Swim to Fight Cancer, or even better: take a dive too and swim 500m, 1 or 2 km to support the charity!
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Local talent
Together with Amateurkunst033, ViVa Vathorst is opening the stage for the stars of tomorrow. Come listen, dance and enjoy beginning bands and up-and-coming talent. You don't want to miss this!
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Festival Market
Shop till you drop at the cheerful festival market from 11:00 to 19:00. With as many as 30 stalls there is something for everyone!
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DJs & performances
In the evening, the roof goes off with DJ acts and live performances by Amersfoort toppers Blaudzun and Liza van der Peijl. And if that's not enough.... The program will be grandly concluded with none other than Xander der Buisonjé!
FULL PROGRAM
9:30 a.m.: Welcome reception for participants
11:00: Start of Swim to Fight Cancer
2:00 PM: Opening of the ViVa Vathorst Canal Festival
2:05 PM: Pop Choir Premiere
2:45 PM: Young Talent Band
3:00 PM: Dance – Juliet Zoeten and students
3:15 PM: Winners of Vathorst Got Talent
3:30 PM: School Band Battle—Suspects in Color
4:00 PM: Presentation of the “Swim to Fight Cancer” check
4:20 PM: Amersfoort Singing Talent
5:15 PM: Architecture - Faces of Vathorst
5:30 PM: DJ Max
6:00 PM: Mica Culpa
6:45 PM: DJ Max
7:45 PM: Opera (Liza van der Peijl)
8:00 PM: Blaudzun (acoustic)
9:00 PM: DJ Max
10:00 PM: Xander de Buisonjé
11:00 PM: Closing
5 Years of ViVa Vathorst
It all started as an idea by the canal, and now it’s a festival where everyone comes together.
Curious about how it all began and how it has since become a success?
Annemiek van Raalten and Frank Tel take you behind the scenes and explain how they manage to put ViVa together every year.
A LOOK BACK AT THE PREVIOUS EDITION
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MORE FESTIVALS
The ones you don't want to miss this summer! From intimate jazz nights to large-scale music festivals and cultural events.
