Festivals & Events
Flamenco Biennial - shows the rich flamenco tradition with modern dance performances, intimate song recitals and exciting musical alliances.
Horecava Exhibition - largest trade exhibition for the restaurant, hospitality and catering industries in the Benelux region, takes place yearly in Amsterdam RAI.
Esnoga Concerts - winter concerts in the candle-lit Portuguese Synagogue.
Pop Arts Festival - International puppet and object theatre festival.
Remembrance of 1941 February Strike - On February 25, 1941 a general strike was organized during World War II in The Netherlands against the anti-Jewish measures and activities by the Nazis. This strike is remembered each year on February 25, with a march past the memorial the Dokwerker.
Sonic Acts Festival - festival for technology art with numerous live performances, an international conference, an extensive film programme and an exhibition, complimented by a publication. Each edition has a specific topic.
CinemAsia - The Netherlands festival of new Asian cinema with a diverse mix of Asian films and documentaries from independent Asian filmmakers and video artists.
Cinestud - the oldest international student film festival in the world
Koninginnedag (Queens' Day)
National Museum Weekend - More than 500 museums across the Netherlands offer free or heavily discounted admission.
Imagine - Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival
London Calling - The best new bands and trends from Great Britain.
Amsterdams Bevrijdingsfestival - 5 May
Amsterdam Shorts! - Holland's only international short film festival organised by a team of short film fanatics that work at De Balie and Kriterion.
Art Amsterdam - over 100 galleries display the latest developments in contemporary art, with paintings, photos, sculptures, installations and videos.
Copa Amsterdam - International soccer tournement for youth players under 19 years.
Liberation Festival (Bevrijdingsfestival) - celebrates the country's 1945 liberation from the Nazi German occupation. One of the main events is the large festival held on Museumplein, with music, poetry and speeches.
Oosterparkfestival - Oost
Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking) - gathering at the National Monument in Dam Square to honor soldiers and civilians killed in wars and peace operations since the beginning of World War II.
Dream Amsterdam - Amsterdam used as a source of inspiration, studio, material, décor and exhibition space by an internationally acclaimed contemporary visual artist. This annual manifestation takes place outside museum walls, is streetwise and presents art that can't be overlooked.
Holland Festival - trend-setting performing arts festival with Western and non-Western art forms going hand in hand. The programme includes theatre, music theatre, dance, opera, music, visual arts, literature and architecture.
IJazz - Amsterdam Jazz Festival. All stages are along the banks of the IJ.
ITs Festival Amsterdam - the biggest European festival where you can scout over 200 theatre talents in more than 70 unique productions.
Latinvillage Festival (Spaarnwoude Houtrak) - Music, DJs and dance shows.
Ma Machinima International Festival (MMIF), happening inside the virtual world Second Life® with a simultaneous mixed-reality live cinema screening event in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Taste of Amsterdam - a culinary festival at a unique location.
Amsterdam Gay pride - canal parade and parties
Dance Valley - The biggest and most popular open air summer dance festival in the Netherlands at Spaarnwoude recreation area, just outside of Amsterdam.
Julidans - Summer festival of international contemporary dance with work of well-known choreographers as well as up and coming talents.
Kwakoe Zomer Festival - the biggest annual multicultural festival of the Netherlands that takes place in Amsterdam Zuidoost during 6 weeks in July and August.
Over het IJ Festival - Amsterdam-Noord
Fantastic Amsterdam - historic festival, medieval market, knight tournament
Generations of Love
Grachtenfestival - annual festival with (classical) music on special locations in the centre of Amsterdam and on the IJ banks.
Kwakoe Zomer Festival - the biggest annual multicultural festival of the Netherlands that takes place in Amsterdam Zuidoost during 6 weeks in July and August.
Loveland Festival - Summer Dance Festival at the Sloterpark.
Mystery Land
Openlucht Filmfestival Pluk de Nacht - Open Air Film Festival Amsterdam
Uitmarkt - Opening event of the cultural season in Amsterdam, with free previews of upcoming theater, cabaret, musical and concerts at outdoor and indoor stages.
VOLTT Loves Summer
Dam to Dam Run (Dam tot Damloop) - running event from the centre of Amsterdam to the centre of Zaandam.
Discovery Festival - a nighttime festival with live scientific research, ultra short talks, science-related art, music, and a lot of scientists and artists.
Dutch Theatre Festival (Nederlands Theater Festival)
Gospel Festival Amsterdam - the biggest Black Gospel Festival of the Netherlands, organised by the multicultural community of Amsterdam South East. This part of Amsterdam harbours a total of 85.000 inhabitants, over 130 nationalities and more than 80 different churches.
Music for your eyes - Film festival about music. From reggae to metal, from Arctic Monkeys to Notorious BIG and from James Brown to Johnny Cash.
Noorderparkfestival - Amsterdam-Noord
Heritage Days (Open Monumentendag) - during the 2nd week of September historical buildings and sites are open to the public free of charge. Besides opening their doors, many locations also organise on-site activities like exhibitions, music and guided tours.
Valtifest
VERSCH - a showcase of innovating media art, electronic music and cross-over from young talented artists.
West Beach Filmfestival - outdoor film festival at the Sloterplas (for free) - Buitenterrein Sloterparkbad, President Allendelaan 3 (Slotervaart)
Buddhist Film Festival Europe - a unique international platform for spiritual quality movies with a high contemplative content, particularly feature films, documentaries, experimental works and television programs that are inspired or influenced by Buddhism.
Cinekid - Annual Film, Television and New Media Festival for Children (4-16 years)
International Jewish Music Festival (Internationaal Joods Muziekfestival) - the only Jewish music competition in the world, with 24 groups from 12 countries.
IDFA - International Documentary Festival Amsterdam
Museum Night (n8) - over 40 museums and institutions open their doors and organize special events from 7pm until 2am on the first Saturday in November.
Sinterklaas - the Entrance of Saint Nicholas in Amsterdam
(December-January-February-March-May)
Cinedans - Festival of short and long dance films, documentaries, installations and Moving Media.
J'adore le Dimanche - an exclusive Sunday society in AIR Amsterdam
(October-November-December-January-February-March-April-May)
Miljonair Fair Amsterdam - exclusive and prominent "Luxury Event" with art and antiques, cars and sports cars, yachts and boats, craft and design, watches and jewellery, home entertainment, sound & vision to travel, hotels and resorts.
Pink Film Days (Roze Film Dagen) - Amsterdam Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
January
Amsterdam International Fashion Week (AIFW) - Besides an official catwalk at the Westergasfabriek, other public events (like trade shows, exhibitions, presentations, lectures, film screenings and parties) take place at galleries, museums, cinemas, shops and clubs throughout Amsterdam.Flamenco Biennial - shows the rich flamenco tradition with modern dance performances, intimate song recitals and exciting musical alliances.
Horecava Exhibition - largest trade exhibition for the restaurant, hospitality and catering industries in the Benelux region, takes place yearly in Amsterdam RAI.
February
Amsterdam World - An annual world music festival, a collaboration between musicians and artists from a European port and Amsterdam.Esnoga Concerts - winter concerts in the candle-lit Portuguese Synagogue.
Pop Arts Festival - International puppet and object theatre festival.
Remembrance of 1941 February Strike - On February 25, 1941 a general strike was organized during World War II in The Netherlands against the anti-Jewish measures and activities by the Nazis. This strike is remembered each year on February 25, with a march past the memorial the Dokwerker.
Sonic Acts Festival - festival for technology art with numerous live performances, an international conference, an extensive film programme and an exhibition, complimented by a publication. Each edition has a specific topic.
March
5 days off - a high-quality multi-day indoor dance event of international electronic music in the Amsterdam Melkweg, Paradiso and the Dutch Institute for Media Arts (Nederlands Instituut voor Mediakunst)April
Cinéma ArabeCinemAsia - The Netherlands festival of new Asian cinema with a diverse mix of Asian films and documentaries from independent Asian filmmakers and video artists.
Cinestud - the oldest international student film festival in the world
Koninginnedag (Queens' Day)
National Museum Weekend - More than 500 museums across the Netherlands offer free or heavily discounted admission.
Imagine - Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival
London Calling - The best new bands and trends from Great Britain.
May
Amsterdam Comedy Festival - international, English speaking stand-up comedy from the UK, the USA, Australia, New-Zealand on different stages in De Melkweg.Amsterdams Bevrijdingsfestival - 5 May
Amsterdam Shorts! - Holland's only international short film festival organised by a team of short film fanatics that work at De Balie and Kriterion.
Art Amsterdam - over 100 galleries display the latest developments in contemporary art, with paintings, photos, sculptures, installations and videos.
Copa Amsterdam - International soccer tournement for youth players under 19 years.
Liberation Festival (Bevrijdingsfestival) - celebrates the country's 1945 liberation from the Nazi German occupation. One of the main events is the large festival held on Museumplein, with music, poetry and speeches.
Oosterparkfestival - Oost
Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking) - gathering at the National Monument in Dam Square to honor soldiers and civilians killed in wars and peace operations since the beginning of World War II.
June
Amsterdam Roots FestivalDream Amsterdam - Amsterdam used as a source of inspiration, studio, material, décor and exhibition space by an internationally acclaimed contemporary visual artist. This annual manifestation takes place outside museum walls, is streetwise and presents art that can't be overlooked.
Holland Festival - trend-setting performing arts festival with Western and non-Western art forms going hand in hand. The programme includes theatre, music theatre, dance, opera, music, visual arts, literature and architecture.
IJazz - Amsterdam Jazz Festival. All stages are along the banks of the IJ.
ITs Festival Amsterdam - the biggest European festival where you can scout over 200 theatre talents in more than 70 unique productions.
Latinvillage Festival (Spaarnwoude Houtrak) - Music, DJs and dance shows.
Ma Machinima International Festival (MMIF), happening inside the virtual world Second Life® with a simultaneous mixed-reality live cinema screening event in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Taste of Amsterdam - a culinary festival at a unique location.
July
A day at the Park - dance festivalAmsterdam Gay pride - canal parade and parties
Dance Valley - The biggest and most popular open air summer dance festival in the Netherlands at Spaarnwoude recreation area, just outside of Amsterdam.
Julidans - Summer festival of international contemporary dance with work of well-known choreographers as well as up and coming talents.
Kwakoe Zomer Festival - the biggest annual multicultural festival of the Netherlands that takes place in Amsterdam Zuidoost during 6 weeks in July and August.
Over het IJ Festival - Amsterdam-Noord
August
De Parade - a travelling circus full of performances, theatre, dance and art.Fantastic Amsterdam - historic festival, medieval market, knight tournament
Generations of Love
Grachtenfestival - annual festival with (classical) music on special locations in the centre of Amsterdam and on the IJ banks.
Kwakoe Zomer Festival - the biggest annual multicultural festival of the Netherlands that takes place in Amsterdam Zuidoost during 6 weeks in July and August.
Loveland Festival - Summer Dance Festival at the Sloterpark.
Mystery Land
Openlucht Filmfestival Pluk de Nacht - Open Air Film Festival Amsterdam
Uitmarkt - Opening event of the cultural season in Amsterdam, with free previews of upcoming theater, cabaret, musical and concerts at outdoor and indoor stages.
VOLTT Loves Summer
September
Amsterdam Fringe Festival - Shows, performances, (music) theatre acts and live art celebrate the urge to act, artistic madness and the bravura that blossoms in the fringes of the theatre circuit in the Netherlands and Flanders.Dam to Dam Run (Dam tot Damloop) - running event from the centre of Amsterdam to the centre of Zaandam.
Discovery Festival - a nighttime festival with live scientific research, ultra short talks, science-related art, music, and a lot of scientists and artists.
Dutch Theatre Festival (Nederlands Theater Festival)
Gospel Festival Amsterdam - the biggest Black Gospel Festival of the Netherlands, organised by the multicultural community of Amsterdam South East. This part of Amsterdam harbours a total of 85.000 inhabitants, over 130 nationalities and more than 80 different churches.
Music for your eyes - Film festival about music. From reggae to metal, from Arctic Monkeys to Notorious BIG and from James Brown to Johnny Cash.
Noorderparkfestival - Amsterdam-Noord
Heritage Days (Open Monumentendag) - during the 2nd week of September historical buildings and sites are open to the public free of charge. Besides opening their doors, many locations also organise on-site activities like exhibitions, music and guided tours.
Valtifest
VERSCH - a showcase of innovating media art, electronic music and cross-over from young talented artists.
West Beach Filmfestival - outdoor film festival at the Sloterplas (for free) - Buitenterrein Sloterparkbad, President Allendelaan 3 (Slotervaart)
October
Amsterdam Dance Event - 3 nights / 30 clubs / 300 dj's and actsBuddhist Film Festival Europe - a unique international platform for spiritual quality movies with a high contemplative content, particularly feature films, documentaries, experimental works and television programs that are inspired or influenced by Buddhism.
Cinekid - Annual Film, Television and New Media Festival for Children (4-16 years)
International Jewish Music Festival (Internationaal Joods Muziekfestival) - the only Jewish music competition in the world, with 24 groups from 12 countries.
November
Chocoladefestival CHOCA - chocolate festival inspired by Amsterdam's rich history of cacao.IDFA - International Documentary Festival Amsterdam
Museum Night (n8) - over 40 museums and institutions open their doors and organize special events from 7pm until 2am on the first Saturday in November.
Sinterklaas - the Entrance of Saint Nicholas in Amsterdam
December
Amsterdam Bach Consort - cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach performed by a chamber choir and a solid core of professional instrumentalists and vocal soloists.(December-January-February-March-May)
Cinedans - Festival of short and long dance films, documentaries, installations and Moving Media.
J'adore le Dimanche - an exclusive Sunday society in AIR Amsterdam
(October-November-December-January-February-March-April-May)
Miljonair Fair Amsterdam - exclusive and prominent "Luxury Event" with art and antiques, cars and sports cars, yachts and boats, craft and design, watches and jewellery, home entertainment, sound & vision to travel, hotels and resorts.
Pink Film Days (Roze Film Dagen) - Amsterdam Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
Amsterdam Directory
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