Elim: Village History, Festivals and Nature

Elim brings together several themes that you can weigh differently when planning your trip: village history and architecture, recurring festivals, trails, and nature and water activities. If you are looking for a hotel in Elim, you can first consider which focus you want to shape your stay. If you are visiting for a festival, specific dates are important; if you are interested in local history, you can include the church and the area’s historical connections. For outdoor recreation, Zwemplas Schoonhoven and hiking and cycling trails in and around Elim are also options.

Village History and Architecture

The Hervormde Kerk in Elim was built in 1916 to a design by Amsterdam architect J. Beijlevelt. Its brick architecture is related to Berlage’s architecture. The design and stylistic connection are two different aspects: Beijlevelt designed the church, while the connection to Berlage describes the architectural affinity.

Elim originally developed as a canal village. The Pullevaart disappeared in the early 1970s, after the canals had been filled in and trucks were increasingly used. The village’s history thus brings together its former character as a canal village and the shift in transportation. The Pullevaarder monument depicts the transport of milk cans (Pullen) to the dairy in Hoogeveen using a packhorse. Historically, farmers went to the factory on the first Thursday of every month to collect the Pullegeld.

Events Throughout the Year

Bloemencorso Elim takes place every year in September and features floats decorated with dahlias. The exact dates and program vary each year. So if you want to plan your trip around Bloemencorso, check the dates for the relevant year. The annual Feestweek is also a varied village festival with a program for all ages. Its dates and program content also change from year to year.

Nature, Water and Trails

Carpe Vitam, also known as Het Knabbelbos, is an edible forest in Elim. Its focus includes sustainable living, self-sufficiency and respect for the ecosystem. This puts nature at the center, distinct from the historical and festival themes. A report from February 2025 mentioned at least two activities per month. As this frequency may change, check in advance which dates fall within your travel period.

Zwemplas Schoonhoven is located between Elim and Hollandscheveld in a small nature area. It has a sandy beach, a sunbathing lawn, and various sports and play facilities. There are also extensive opportunities for swimming, surfing and fishing at Zwemplas. When planning, you can choose between spending time by the shore, sports and play, or an activity in the water.

There are hiking and cycling trails in and around Elim. If you prefer to be active on land, you can plan to use these trails; at the lake, water activities take center stage. These different options can help you tailor your stay to your own interests.

Discover more destinations: Nieuweroord, Nieuwlande, Hoogeveen, Pesse, Hollandscheveld, Tiendeveen, Fluitenberg, Stuifzand.

Go to the main travel overview: Hoogeveen.