The first Uitmarkt was held on 26 and 27 August 1978 at the Leidseplein. Performances were held at three locations, and there was an information market near the American Hotel. In 1984, the Uitmarkt was held at Dam Square. By now, the event included fourteen stages and 130 information stalls.[3] After having taken place along the Amstel river and at the Nes during a number of years, in 1988 the Uitmarkt moved to the Museumplein.[4]
In 2006, the number of visitors reached a record of half a million, spread out over three days. In 2015 and 2016, the number of visitors also reached about half a million. In 2017, for the first time in eight years, the Uitmarkt was not held at the Museumplein but moved to the Oosterdok area..[5][6] The 40th edition of the Uitmarkt in 2017 attracted about 450 thousand visitors.[7]
As of 2020, a stripped-down version of the event was organised due to Covid. Although Covid restrictions had been lifted by 2022, the event did not return to its original scale, and it attracted just 75 thousand visitors.[8]
| Years | Locations |
|---|
| 2021-2022 | Museumplein |
| 2020 | Concertgebouw, Melkweg, Vondelpark Openluchttheater, Oude Kerk, Stopera |
| 2019 | Museumplein and Leidseplein |
| 2017-2018 | Oosterdok area, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, NEMO, Marineterrein en Scheepvaartmuseum |
| 2010-2016 | Museumplein, Leidseplein and Vondelpark |
| 2009 | Dam, Nieuwmarkt, Waterlooplein and Hermitage |
| 2007-2008 | Oostelijk Havengebied, Piet Heinkade, Kop van het Java-eiland, Oosterdokseiland and Oosterdok |
| 2006 | Dam, Nieuwmarkt, Waterlooplein and Nes |
| 2001-2005 | Museumplein area |
