In Amsterdam, there's a buzz of activity every day. Whether you're interested in markets, exhibitions, music concerts, theatre shows, or festivals, the city has it all. With a wide range of world-class entertainment, from large festivals and cultural events to intimate venues, theatres, clubs, and concert halls, Amsterdam offers something for everyone.
The Jaap Eden IJsbaan in Amsterdam-East is one of the best-known ice rinks in the Netherlands and every winter the skating heart of Amsterdam. - History: the rink opened in 1961 and is named after the speed skater and cyclist Jaap Eden. - 400-metre track: on the 400-metre outdoor track you skate your laps under the open ...
Annually, typically in October, the streets of the Dutch capital are flooded with a sea of runners and enthusiastic spectators for the Amsterdam Marathon. The inaugural event was in 1975. This prestigious sporting event attracts both professional marathon runners and enthusiasts from all over the world. A Route Brimming ...
The Amsterdam Dance Event, often simply known as ADE, is recognised worldwide as the largest club festival for electronic music and is also a major conference for music industry professionals. Every October, Amsterdam becomes the epicentre for electronic music fans. Popular Venues and Streets during ADE While events take ...
With its nostalgic drawbridge, sparkling lights and the iconic view of the Rijksmuseum, this is one of the most atmospheric places in the city to go ice skating. What makes the ice rink on the Museumplein so special? The ice rink on the Museumplein is a beloved winter tradition in Amsterdam. - Iconic location: Skate ...
The Imagine Film Festival is the Amsterdam film festival for fantasy, science fiction, horror, thrillers, anime and cult films. - What: more than ten days of new genre films and classics from around the world, from spine-chilling horror to colourful animation. - Where: since 2022 the screenings take place at LAB111 on the ...
In early November, the RAI turns into a treasure house of art, antiques and design during PAN Amsterdam. The fair was founded in 1987 by six Dutch art and antiques dealers and has grown into one of the most important art fairs in the Netherlands. Even if you are not buying, it makes an inspiring day out. What can you ...
One night a year, in early November, Amsterdam's museums stay open until the small hours. During Museum Night Amsterdam (N8), one ticket gets you into more than 65 museums and special venues, with music, performances and workshops. A completely different way to experience the city. What can you expect during Museum ...
In November, Amsterdam is the centre of the documentary world for eleven days. IDFA, the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, screens hundreds of documentaries from all over the world, with premieres, competitions and meetings with filmmakers. What can you expect at IDFA? - Hundreds of films: Documentaries ...
In December, Amsterdam is full of Christmas spirit, with Christmas shopping, ice skating and hot chocolate on the city's squares. Christmas tree on Dam square Every December a large illuminated Christmas tree stands on Dam Square, in front of the Royal Palace. - Lights: the tree, more than 20 metres tall, is decorated ...
Every winter, the vibrant Rembrandtplein in Amsterdam transforms into a charming winter setting with a popular ice rink. What can you expect at the ice rink on the Rembrandtplein? Right in the heart of the city, you can enjoy real winter fun here, surrounded by lights, music and a lively atmosphere. - Atmospheric Ice ...
Every year in mid-November, Sinterklaas arrives in Amsterdam by steamboat, after which a festive parade accompanies him through the city centre. - For children: thousands of children welcome the saint along the route, and plenty of sweets are handed out. - Free: the arrival can be watched free of charge along the entire ...
In November, Amsterdam spends five days celebrating contemporary art during Amsterdam Art Week. More than 75 galleries, museums, project spaces and studios open their doors, with more than 80 exhibitions. You do not need to be an art expert: the week is all about discovering art in an accessible way. What can you expect ...
The Amsterdam Light Festival transforms the Amsterdam canals in the (old) city centre into an open-air museum of light each year. What can you expect at the Amsterdam Light Festival? Along the centuries-old canal houses, bridges and squares, you will discover surprising light artworks by both national and international ...
The small-scale Ice Village Christmas market on Museumplein in Amsterdam is a cosy and festive Christmas market that takes place every year in December. What can you expect at this small Ice Village Christmas market? With atmospheric lights, charming stalls and the scent of warm treats, a lovely Christmas atmosphere fills ...
The Amsterdamse Winterparadijs immerses you in a cosy winter village full of Christmas lights, pine trees and festive winter decorations. Highlights for visitors The combination of ice skating, attractions, music and good food makes the event appealing to families, groups of friends and couples. - Covered ice rink: A ...
The winter edition of the Pure Markt in the charming Park Frankendael is the place for fresh, pure produce and treats for the festive season. - What: a market with stalls from small producers, farmers and makers, offering bread, cheese, vegetables, wine and handmade gifts, among other things. - Christmas shopping: ideal ...
In December, the monthly Sunday Market at the Westergas site turns into the festive Funky Xmas Market. - What: a Christmas market full of stalls with handmade products, design, home accessories, jewellery and original Christmas gifts from small makers. - Food and drink: taste savoury street food and homemade sweets, with ...
Every year in January, Tulpendag marks the beginning of the tulip season in the Netherlands. This festive event offers everyone the chance to pick their own tulips for free right in the heart of Amsterdam. What is Tulpendag? Tulpendag is an annual event that officially heralds the tulip season. The highlight of the day is ...
Every spring, the Westerpark in Amsterdam turns into a large funfair for ten days, with exciting rides and treats for young and old. What can you expect at the funfair in the Westerpark? With dozens of rides, this is one of the biggest funfairs in the city. - Rides: alongside classics such as the swing carousel, bumper ...
In April, Amsterdam turns red, yellow and purple during the Tulip Festival. Hundreds of thousands of tulips bloom at more than a hundred locations across the city: on squares and bridges, in parks and gardens. The festival was founded by garden designer Saskia Albrecht, with the motto a tulip for every Amsterdammer. What ...
On 27 April the whole of the Netherlands celebrates King's Day (Koningsdag), the birthday of King Willem-Alexander, and nowhere is the party bigger than in Amsterdam. - Orange fever: the city turns orange and hundreds of thousands of visitors party in the streets, on the canals and in the cafés. - Date: if 27 April falls ...
The Kunst RAI is a prominent annual art fair held in the RAI buildings in the south of Amsterdam. This event, which lasts for five days each year, attracts art lovers and professionals from all over the world. What can you expect at the Kunst RAI? - Wide Range of Galleries: With over 120 participating galleries from the ...
Every year on 4 May, the Netherlands remembers the victims of war on Dam Square in Amsterdam during the National Remembrance Day (Nationale Dodenherdenking). - Who is remembered: all civilians and soldiers who have died in situations of war and during peacekeeping operations since the outbreak of the Second World War. - ...
The National Windmill Day, held annually on a weekend in May, is the perfect opportunity to admire hundreds of working windmills across the Netherlands up close. Since 1973, this event has celebrated our country’s rich windmill heritage and paid tribute to these iconic structures. What can you expect during the National ...
In spring, the Westerpark fills with food trucks for five days during the Rollende Keukens (Rolling Kitchens) weekend. Since 2008 it has been one of Amsterdam's most convivial food festivals, organised by five Amsterdam families. Admission is free. What can you expect at the Rollende Keukens? - Food trucks: More than 80 ...
From May to September, the Vondelpark Open Air Theatre is one of the nicest spots in Amsterdam. Almost every weekend there are free open-air performances in the heart of the Vondelpark. More than 100,000 visitors come every year. What can you expect at the Open Air Theatre? - Friday evening: Dance. - Saturday: Family ...
The Holland Festival is the largest and oldest international performing arts festival in the Netherlands. Since 1947, this prestigious event has been bringing world-class performances to Amsterdam, featuring a wide range of art forms such as theatre, dance, music, and visual arts. What can you expect at the Holland ...
The Open Garden Days in Amsterdam offer a unique opportunity to peek behind the city's iconic canal houses and discover the most beautiful hidden gardens. Every year, during a weekend in June, more than 25 private and institutional gardens open their doors to the public. What can you expect during the Open Garden Days? - ...
At the end of June, the Oosterpark fills with music from all over the world during the Amsterdam Roots Festival. The festival started in 1983 at the Melkweg as the Africa Roots Festival and has grown into a colourful celebration of world music, dance and encounters. Admission to Roots Open Air in the park is free. What ...
In July and August the Concertgebouw does not take a summer break: instead it hosts the SummerConcerts powered by VriendenLoterij. For two months there are concerts every day in all the halls of this world-famous concert hall, with a varied programme for a wide audience. Ideal if you visit Amsterdam in summer. What can ...
Every year, Nelson Mandela Park in Amsterdam Zuidoost transforms into a vibrant hub of culture and festivity during the Kwaku Festival. This summer festival has grown into one of the largest multicultural festivals in the Netherlands, celebrated over four weekends in July and August. What to Expect at the Kwaku ...
De Parade is a travelling theatre festival that pitches its tents every summer in the Martin Luther Kingpark on the Amstel in Amsterdam. - What: a festival site full of colourful tents and circus wagons, where you choose from short performances of theatre, dance, music, cabaret and circus. - How long: the festival lasts ...
At the end of July, music lovers from all over the world head to the Amsterdamse Bos for Dekmantel Festival. This electronic music festival is known for its strong line-up and its green setting among the trees. There is also a programme in the city itself. What can you expect at Dekmantel? - In the woods: Several stages, ...
Gay Pride in Amsterdam, officially known as Pride Amsterdam, is one of the most vibrant and colourful events in the Dutch capital. Held annually, usually in the first week of August, it celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and is a call for equality, acceptance, and self-expression for everyone, regardless of sexual ...
Experience music like never before at the Canal Festival (Grachtenfestival) in Amsterdam, a unique event that makes classical music and jazz accessible to a wide audience. This annual festival shines a spotlight on young, talented musicians and offers concerts over ten days at some of the city's most picturesque ...
In August, the Zeedijk celebrates Hartjesdag, a centuries-old Amsterdam folk festival that has been revived. Traditionally, men dress up as women and women as men, and the street turns into a cheerful, colourful party. A unique chance to experience an old Amsterdam tradition in the city's oldest street. What can you ...
The Prinsengrachtconcert is a free open-air classical concert held every year in August on the Prinsengracht in Amsterdam. - Stage on the water: the musicians play on a pontoon in the middle of the canal, in front of Hotel Pulitzer. - Audience: thousands of spectators listen from the quays, from the windows of the canal ...
In September, Amsterdam becomes the stage for new and experimental theatre during the Amsterdam Fringe Festival. For around eleven days, dozens of young and innovative makers perform at more than twenty venues across the city: in theatres, but also in a bar, a garden or on a boat. Ideal if you fancy seeing something ...
Every year, on a weekend in September, many monuments in the Netherlands open their doors to the public. The participating monuments in Amsterdam can be recognised by the Open Monuments Day flag, with the logo as depicted here. It offers the rare opportunity to visit historical buildings, churches, windmills, residences, and ma ...
In September, tens of thousands of runners race from Amsterdam to Zaandam in the NN [i]Dam tot Damloop[/i], one of the biggest running events in the Netherlands. The 10-mile course runs straight through the IJtunnel beneath the IJ. It is an impressive spectacle even as a spectator. What can you expect at the Dam tot Damloo ...
The National Museum Week is an annual event where hundreds of museums throughout the Netherlands open their doors to celebrate the rich culture, art, and history of the country. This event offers a unique opportunity to discover the hidden treasures and famous collections of Dutch museums. From historical artefacts to ...
The Jaap Eden IJsbaan in Amsterdam-East is one of the best-known ice rinks in the Netherlands and every winter the skating heart of Amsterdam. - History: the rink opened in 1961 and is named after the speed skater and cyclist Jaap Eden. - 400-metre track: on the 400-metre outdoor track you skate your laps under the open ...
» View our complete 'see & do' list with many more museums, attractions, monuments and other places of interest.
