Discover Hertme: Music, Festivals and History

Hertme combines music events with a rich architectural history. The Openluchttheater is in the heart of the village, surrounded by woodland; historic buildings such as the H.-Stephanuskerk and the Spookhuis add their own distinctive touches. When planning a stay, you can therefore choose between visiting for a specific event and focusing on Hertme’s architectural and local history.

Music and Events in Hertme

The current programme at the Openluchttheater Hertme includes music. The venue has room for 2,200 visitors, including 1,400 seats. The theatre was built in 1955 in the woods next to the church. Its location in the village centre and its wooded surroundings shape the setting, while its capacity gives an idea of the venue’s size.

The Afrika Festival Hertme is a two-day festival at the Openluchttheater. It includes an African market with more than 100 stalls. The children’s programme includes face painting, puzzles, making music and dancing. The event’s history goes back to the first Afrikadag, held in 1989, which gave rise to the Afrika Festival Hertme. In 2024, the festival held its 35th edition.

The Metropool Open Air offers a different kind of event: every year, well-known artists perform over two weekends between May and September. The two events therefore differ both in their schedule and format: the Afrika Festival is described as a two-day event combining music with a market and children’s programme, while the Metropool Open Air is defined by its recurring annual period and two weekends. If you would like to plan your trip around a particular event, check the dates when making your plans.

Church and Historic Buildings

The H.-Stephanuskerk was built in 1902–1903 to a Neo-Gothic design by architect Wolter te Riele. The church has an organ made by Maarschalkerweerd in 1904, a 17th-century candlestick and a chalice dating from 1398. The different dates give the building several historical points of reference: alongside its early 20th-century Neo-Gothic design, it also houses objects that are considerably older.

The Spookhuis, also known as ’t Oude Groothuijs, is a different kind of building and is a Rijksmonument (listed national monument). It is considered a rare example of a single-aisle timber-framed house. Its features include a hipped roof, an upper room, half-cross windows with shutters and old glass; the building’s described form also includes a new front façade and a rear extension. During its restoration, the house was moved and rebuilt stone by stone. Around 1615, it served as a clandestine Catholic church. Its architecture and former use make the Spookhuis a distinct historical topic alongside the church.

Green Surroundings and a Local Experience

Those arriving in Hertme by car or on foot pass through green surroundings. The Melktap Weleveld offers a different side of the village: visitors can pour themselves fresh milk there. Hertme’s attractions thus range from music and event history to architectural styles, historic objects and a hands-on activity.

When choosing your travel dates, you can first consider whether you would like to focus on an event or on the village’s history. The festivals mentioned offer different points of reference for planning your visit, while the historic buildings provide their own highlights, independent of any particular event programme. Discover more destinations: Borne, Zenderen.

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