Name day of The Hague’s patron saint celebrated for the second time during a free event on July 25
On Friday 25 July, the Grote of Sint-Jacobskerk in The Hague will celebrate Saint Jacob’s Day for the second time: a festive evening of walking, pilgrimage, music and encounters. The programme offers a historical city walk, a performance by singer and pilgrim Leoni Jansen, inspiring walking stories from pilgrims in collaboration with the Dutch Society of Saint Jacob, and of course the specially brewed beer from the Haagsche Broeder brewery. New this year: visitors can also make a vertical pilgrimage – by climbing the Hague Tower for a reduced rate of €5 and experiencing The Hague from above. The programme is free of charge
A Hague celebration of Saint James
The Grote Kerk wants to make St. James’ Day a new tradition in The Hague. The church is named after the apostle James the Greater, patron saint of pilgrims and namesake of the famous pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. That is why this day in The Hague will henceforth be dedicated to reflection, movement and meeting.
Pilgrim talk: stories from the road (in Dutch)
From 16:00 visitors can pick up their free ‘pilgrim passport’ in the church and set off on a historical walk. From 19:00 the program starts in the church itself, with a performance by Leoni Jansen, who herself walked several pilgrimages and shares her stories. In addition, several pilgrims will take the floor during the talk show Pelgrimpraat – in collaboration with the Dutch Society of Saint Jacob. They will talk about their experiences on, among other things, the Camino to Santiago, the 88-temple route in Japan, the Olafspad in Norway and a trip to Rome.
Jacobus IPA and The Hague Tower
Like last year, the Haagsche Broeder brewery will once again present and serve their specially brewed Jacobus IPA, a unique Imperial IPA from The Hague, exclusively available around St. James’ Day. New this year is the opportunity to not only make a figurative but also a literal pilgrimage: for just five euros, visitors can climb the iconic Haagse Toren during the program and enjoy the view over the city. True pilgrims can also pick up their official pilgrim stamp for their credential at De Haagse Toren.
Practical information
Date: Friday, July 25, 2025
4:00 PM – Doors open, city walk starts
7:00 PM – Music and story program with Leoni Jansen and Pelgrimpraat
Climbing the Hague Tower possible between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM (€5.00)
10:00 PM – End of program
Location: Grote of Sint-Jacobskerk, The Hague
Entrance : free, registration required via www.grote-kerk.nl/sintjacobsdag