Update: the autumn 2026 edition took place on Saturday 19 September. The show runs twice a year, usually in March and September, so this guide applies to every edition. Check vintageveenendaal.eu for the next date, and read our review of the March 2026 show to see what a visit is like.
The Vintage Guitar Show Veenendaal is one of the best days out a guitar lover can have in the Netherlands. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
What Is the Vintage Guitar Show Veenendaal?
The Vintage Guitar Show Veenendaal is widely recognised as Europe’s largest international vintage guitar show. It takes place twice a year at De Basiliek in Veenendaal, and draws dealers, luthiers, guitar shops and private collectors from across Europe, including Belgium, Denmark, Germany, England, France, Luxembourg, Sweden and the Netherlands. The result is a single day with close to 100 exhibitors and more than 1,200 guitars across every era and price range.
The focus is on vintage instruments, but you’ll also find newer guitars, custom builds, amplifiers, pedals, spare parts, guitar building parts, books and accessories. If it’s guitar-related, it’s probably somewhere on the floor.
The Venue
The show is held at De Basiliek, Wiltonstraat 56, Veenendaal. It’s a purpose-built event venue close to the A12 motorway, within walking distance of Veenendaal-De Klomp station and next to a Van der Valk hotel. The space is large and well laid out, with separate areas for the main exhibition, the Guitar Market and a Guitar Cafe in the foyer.
Practical Details
| Opening times | 10:00 to 16:30 |
|---|---|
| Address | De Basiliek, Wiltonstraat 56, Veenendaal |
| Entry | €10 per adult |
| Children under 12 | Free with an adult |
| Website | vintageveenendaal.eu |
What’s On
There’s a lot more to do than walk around looking at guitars, although there’s plenty of that too.
- The exhibition floor is the heart of the show: nearly 100 exhibitors from all over Europe selling vintage guitars and amps alongside pedals, parts, accessories and books.
- The Guitar Market is a separate room where visitors, not just dealers, can display or sell one guitar of their own.
- The Open Stage hosts demos, workshops and live performances from exhibitors and guest artists throughout the day.
- The Vintage Veenendaal Awards go to the Most Authentic Vintage Guitar and the Most Bizarre Guitar of the show.
- The lottery gives every visitor a chance to win a guitar, amplifier, pedal or other prizes.
- The advertising board lets you post a small notice (A5 maximum, one per person) if you’re looking to buy or sell something specific.
- The Guitar Cafe in the foyer is open during and after the show: the perfect place to compare notes and decide whether to go back for one more look.
Bringing Your Own Guitar
Visitors can bring one guitar to display, sell or have appraised. Check it in at the entrance desk when you arrive and you’ll get a proof of ownership. You’ll need the same document when you leave: a sensible security measure that keeps everyone’s instruments safe.
If you’re planning to sell, it’s worth making sure your guitar plays as well as it looks. A fresh setup and new strings can make a real difference to how buyers see it. GuitarBuddy offers guitar setups in Zandvoort for players in Haarlem, Aerdenhout and Amsterdam.
Getting There
By car: De Basiliek is close to the A12, so it’s easy to reach from Haarlem, Amsterdam, Utrecht and most of the Randstad in about an hour.
By train: Veenendaal-De Klomp station is within walking distance. There are direct trains from Utrecht Centraal, with easy connections from Amsterdam and Haarlem.
Tips for Your Visit
- Arrive early if you’re hunting for something specific. The best pieces can go quickly.
- Bring cash as well as cards, since not every private seller takes card payments.
- Know your budget and what you’re looking for, but leave room for surprises.
- Check before you buy. Look at the neck, the frets and the electronics, and ask about any repairs or replaced parts. Vintage guitars often need a setup after years in storage. Our guide to how humidity affects your guitar explains what to look for.
Is It Worth Going?
Every time. The Vintage Guitar Show Veenendaal has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that you don’t always get at big trade shows. There’s no pressure to buy, conversations flow easily and the range of instruments makes it a rewarding day whether you leave with a new guitar or not. For guitar lovers in the Netherlands, it’s one of the best events of the year.
