Festivals & events in Amsterdam

Though they're generally reserved, the Dutch do often shed their inhibitions in fun-seeking frenzies. On the likes of Oudejaarsavond (New Year's Eve) and Koningsdag (King's Day; formerly Queen's Day), or whenever Ajax win a big game, the city falls into an orange-tinted psychosis of song, drink and dance. Not every event is so booze-dependent: check out the Dam tot Damloop, Museum Night or Open Monument Days. That said, could the High Times Cannabis Cup really be held anywhere else?

Critic's choice

Amsterdam Dance Event

Where: various venues in Amsterdam
When: mid/late Oct
Website: www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl
The organisers claim that this festival, which draws 30,000 each year, is the world’s biggest dance music festival and conference. It combines business with pleasure: during the day, there are conferences and workshops, while at night, roughly international 400 acts and DJs make sure your feet don’t stay still.

Amsterdam Gay Pride

Where: Prinsengracht, Canal Belt
When: 1st Sat in Aug
Website: www.amsterdamgaypride.org
Though Gay Pride is always surrounded by drama and controversy, whether around money, politics or big egos, the atmosphere is just fabulouslytastic dahlink during the spectacular boat parade. Around 250,000 spectators line the Prinsengracht to watch the 80 boats, all with garish decorations and loud sound systems crewed by bare-chested sailors. It's the climax to a whole week of activities; check the site for the full array of what's on offer.

Crossing Border

Where: various venues in the Hague
When: mid Nov
Website: www.crossingborder.nl
This festival is a crossover between writers, poets and musicians, but puts words before melody. It's held in the Hague city centre, only a 45-minute train trip away; Many well-known international authors and artists come to perform and in past years have included Razorlight, David Byrne, David Sedaris, Henry Rollins, Robert Crumb, Norman Mailer, Dave Eggers, Jill Scott and Irvine Welsh.

De Parade

Where: Martin Luther Kingpark, Zuid
When: early Aug
Tel & website: www.deparade.nl
When this travelling show (Rotterdam, the Hague and Utrecht are also on their route) lands in the city, locals flock en masse to sip litres of rosé, hang out in a beer garden and catch an act (cabaret, music, comedy, drama) in one of the many kitschly decorated tents that gives the whole thing a vibe of ancient carnivals. Afternoons are child-friendly.

International Documentary Filmfestival Amsterdam (IDFA)

Where: various venues in Amsterdam
When: mid/late Nov
Website: www.idfa.nl
The mother of all documentary film festivals, IDFA regularly plays host to the biggest in the biz, but also manages to keep it real, with workshops and debates drawing attention to the myriad issues thrown up by videographers from all over the world.

Koningsdag (King's Day)

Where: around Amsterdam
When: 27 Apr
Party lovers, rubbish collectors and students of the surreal should make sure that their visit coincides with this date, when up to a million extra people pour into the city, rendering every single street and canal dense with jubilant crowds.
 Rebranded from Queen’s Day (or Koninginnedag) to King's Day when Willem-Alexander took over the throne from his mother Beatrix in 2013, the official date moved to 27 April so it would fall on his birthday. But since that date is a Sunday in 2014, it will be celebrated on 26 April for that year.
 Confused? It doesn’t matter. The royal family is soon forgotten amid all the revelry. What with all the performances, the markets, the crowds and, of course, the readily flowing alcohol, the streets of Amsterdam offer all anyone could dream of – at least for a day.

Museum Night

Where: various venues in Amsterdam
When: early Nov
Website: www.museumnachtamsterdam.nl
The success of this night (tickets sell fast) shows that the locals like to mix art with entertainment. Almost every museum and gallery in town opens late and organises something special to complement the regular exhibits. You might watch Kirk Douglas as Vincent in Lust for Life at the Van Gogh Museum, or dance the night away in the shadow of Rembrandt's Night Watch.

Open Monument Days

Where: around Amsterdam
When: 2nd weekend in Sept
Website: www.openmonumentendag.nl
'Heritage Days', as it's officially called, gives you the chance to visit buildings that are normally closed to the public. Some are breathtaking historic buildings from the Golden Age; others, though, are schools, industrial buildings (old factories, say) or even farms. The event is defined by a different theme each year.

Oudejaarsavond (New Year's Eve)

Where: around Amsterdam
When: 31 Dec
No, you haven't got off the wrong train or plane, and you're not in a war zone: New Year's Eve is a riot of champagne, oliebollen (greasy deep-fried blobs of dough, apple and raisins), and tons and tons of scary fireworks that officially only go on sale the day before. Come midnight, people take to the streets (and bars, many of which only open at midnight) to celebrate. The best areas to visit are Nieuwmarkt and Dam Square; the latter often stages a big council-sponsored concert, with Dutch acts and DJs to help keep things moving.

SAIL

Where: around Amsterdam
When: every five years. Next event mid Aug 2015
Website: www.sail-amsterdam.nl
An event that started in 1975 to celebrate the city's 700th birthday has turned into the largest nautical gathering in Europe. An extraordinary 2.5 million visitors stroll along Oostelijke Handelskade every five years, admiring dozens of tall ships and thousands of more modern boats. The flotilla of related events includes music, food, extreme sports and art.

Vondelpark Openluchttheater

Where: Vondelpark
When: early June-mid Aug
Website: www.openluchttheater.nl
Each year in the summer months, the big open-air stage in the popular park is used to the max. It's great to watch and dance, or just to chill and relax: few places capture the laid-back vibe of Amsterdam in the summer with quite such conviction. To find out who's playing when, check out the posters at the gates or look online.

World Press Photo

Where: Oude Kerk
When: late Apr-late June
Website: www.worldpressphoto.nl
Running since 1955, this is the world's largest photography competition, and includes exhibits from thousands of photojournalists. The exhibition is held in the Oude Kerk; after kicking off in Amsterdam, it goes on tour to another 70 locations around the world. A book containing the prize-winning entries is published each year.

Spring

Amsterdam Restaurant Week

Where: various venues in Amsterdam
When: early Mar
Website: www.restaurantweek.nl
A three-course gourmet meal in a top restaurant for only €25? Only in Amsterdam Restaurant Week. Just like in New York, where the idea originated, local restaurant owners think this is a great way to promote their businesses, especially since January and February are slow months in food-land. The food isn't fast, but your reservation should be: tables get booked up very quickly.

Stille Omgang (Silent Procession)

Where: starts at Spui, Begijnhof
When: mid Mar
Website: www.stille-omgang.nl
This singular annual event commemorates the 1345 'Miracle of Amsterdam'. A sick man, thought to be dying, was being administered the last rites, at which point which he vomited. Since he had already been given the viaticum, what was thrown up was put into the fire. But the Blessed Sacrament was discovered the next day, undamaged by fire or digestion, and the man miraculously recovered. Every year since, local Catholics make a silent nocturnal walk that begins and ends at Spui. The candlelit procession through the Red Light District at night is both a surreal and extremely moving experience.

Motel Mozaique

Where: Rotterdam
When: Mar/Apr
Website: www.motelmozaique.nl
Rotterdam hosts this spectacular two-day festival blending music, theatre, art and hospitality. Expect an edgy line-up and hordes of hipsters wandering happily between venues. You can even stay on site: each year sees new weird and wonderful sleeping concepts, though places are limited.

Movies That Matter

Where: various venues in Amsterdam
When: early Apr
Website: www.moviesthatmatter.nl
Screenings of films on the subject of human rights, which used to be called the Amnesty International Film Festival.

National Museum Weekend

Where: around the Netherlands
When: early-mid Apr 
Website: www.museumweekend.nl
Around a million visitors flock to one or more of the 500 state-funded museums, which offer free or discounted admission and special activities during National Museum Weekend.

Imagine Film Festival

Where: EYE
When: mid Apr
Website: www.imaginefilmfestival.nl
Formerly the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival, this event delivers more than a week of silver screen schlock, horror, splatter and trash.

World Press Photo

Where: Oude Kerk
When: late Apr-late June
Website: www.worldpressphoto.nl
Running since 1955, this is the world's largest photography competition, and includes exhibits from thousands of photojournalists. The exhibition is held in the Oude Kerk; after kicking off in Amsterdam, it goes on tour to another 70 locations around the world. A book containing the prize-winning entries is published each year.

Koningsdag (King's Day)

Where: around Amsterdam
When: 27 Apr
The most popular event in the city actually kicks off the night before, with street parties and late-night drinking sessions in cafés. Locals and tourists still crowd the streets in search of a bargain (there's a huge open-air market where people are allowed to sell their attic junk), and to sing and dance. The best areas to experience the festivities are the Jordaan, Rembrandtplein and the centre; Vondelpark is for the kids.

Dodenkerdenkingsdag (Remembrance Day)

Where: Dam Square
When: 4 May
In the presence of the royals and many dignitaries, those who lost their lives during World War II are remembered at the National Monument on Dam Square on 4 May at 7.30pm. After the laying of wreaths, there's a two-minute silence at 8pm. Gays and lesbians have their own ceremony at a remembrance service at the Homomonument and there are also other ceremonies in various quarters around the city.

Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day)

Where: around Amsterdam
When: 5 May
Website: www.amsterdamsbevrijdingsfestival.nl
Marking national liberation from Nazi occupation with many concerts. The best areas for visitors are Museumplein, Leidseplein and Westermarkt, the focal point of the gay commemorations.

KunstRAI

Where: Amsterdam RAI Congress Centre
When: mid May
Website: www.kunstrai.nl
A hundred or so galleries, both national and international, present their artists' work at this huge commercial five-day exhibition. Expect everything from ceramics and jewellery to paintings and sculptures. Increasingly, erm, stuffed with 'controversial' taxidermy.

National Windmill Days

Where: around the Netherlands
When: mid May
Website: www.molens.nl
Got a windmill on your mind? Throughout this weekend, about 600 state-subsidised windmills spin their sails and open to the public. Most of them have demonstrations and activities; you can even buy products such as flour and mill bread made the traditional way.

Open Studios

Where: Westelijke Eilanden
When: late May
Website: www.oawe.nl
Neighbourhoods with populations of artists and artists' studio complexes hold open days in spring and autumn, when dozens of artists (both starving and successful) open their doors to the public over the course of a weekend. The annual Westelijke Eilanden is the most popular: situated on the picturesque and peaceful islands around Prinseneiland, the streets are all connected by traditional 'skinny bridges'.

London Calling

Where: Paradiso
When: late May, mid Nov
Website: www.londoncalling.nl
New rock and pop from the UK (and elsewhere, since they stopped checking passports). Thanks to its increasing popularity, additional specials have been creeping on to the calendar.

Summer

Holland Festival

Where: Stadsschouwburg, Leidseplein, Southern Canal Belt
When: early June
Website: www.hollandfestival.nl
Huge, popular and varied international arts festival. There's no doubting that music is its central theme, particularly in the realms of contemporary classical, experimental and electronic music. Attracting international stars and composers each year, you're guaranteed a series of groundbreaking premieres and reworkings that'll move on to make waves in other cultural capitals around the world. The programme includes both mainstream and oddball works, and is held in the Stadsschouwburg and other venues such as Westergasfabriek. Tickets go on sale months before the event, so do check the online reservation service or head to the venue in plenty of time.

Amsterdam Roots Festival

Where: around Amsterdam
When: mid July
Website: www.amsterdamroots.nl
World music festival, whose highlight is the free outdoor Roots Open Air in Oosterpark.

Vondelpark Openluchttheater

Where: Vondelpark
When: early June-mid Aug
Website: www.openluchttheater.nl
Each year in the summer months, the big open-air stage in the popular park is used to the max. It's great to watch and dance, or just to chill and relax: few places capture the laid-back vibe of Amsterdam in the summer with quite such conviction. To find out who's playing when, check out the posters at the gates or look online.

Amsterdam Fashion Week

Where: Westergasfabriek
When: Jan, July
Webite: www.amsterdamfashionweek.com
Twice a year, in summer and winter, aspiring designers and those who've already made it show their new collections at the Westergasfabriek. Industry types with invites can sip cocktails and marvel at the models on show; the rest of us are advised to check out the more consumer-friendly Downtown version, in stores around the city.

North Sea Jazz

Where: Rotterdam
When: mid July
Website: www.northseajazz.nl
This three-day mega-event is a favourite among Dutch jazz fans and outsiders. Staging marvellous big-name line-ups (around 180 acts) and drawing 23,000 visitors per day, the festival has settled into the Ahoy' complex in the south of Rotterdam.

De Parade

Where: Martin Luther Kingpark, Zuid
When: early Aug
Tel & website: www.deparade.nl
When this travelling show (Rotterdam, the Hague and Utrecht are also on their route) lands in the city, locals flock en masse to sip litres of rosé, hang out in a beer garden and catch an act (cabaret, music, comedy, drama) in one of the many kitschly decorated tents that gives the whole thing a vibe of ancient carnivals. Afternoons are child-friendly.

Amsterdam Gay Pride

Where: Prinsengracht, Canal Belt
When: 1st Sat in Aug
Website: www.amsterdamgaypride.org
Though Gay Pride is always surrounded by drama and controversy, whether around money, politics or big egos, the atmosphere is just fabulouslytastic dahlink during the spectacular boat parade. Around 250,000 spectators line the Prinsengracht to watch the 80 boats, all with garish decorations and loud sound systems crewed by bare-chested sailors. It's the climax to a whole week of activities; check the site for the full array of what's on offer.

Appelsap

Where: Oosterpark, Oost
When: mid Aug
Website: www.appelsap.net
This free outdoor hip hop festival is organised by Appelsap, who also run club nights and parties. No matter the unpredictable weather, the atmosphere is always hot, with a programme of up-and-coming artists and some local favourites.

Hartjesdag

Where: Zeedijk, Old Centre: Old Side
When: mid Aug
An ancient Amsterdam celebration from the Middle Ages, 'Hearts Day' was held on the last Monday of August and involved much drinking, cross-dressing and firecrackers. It was in abeyance for decades after the Germans banned it in 1943 but was resurrected in 1997 on the initiative of local shopkeepers, once the formerly seedy street had been cleaned up and rid of druggies, and now focuses primarily on the boozing and dressing-up side of things. Though not a drag queen festival, it's predictably popular with the city's transvestite population, as are its associated theatrical and music events.

Grachtenfestival

Where: various venues in Amsterdam
When: mid Aug
Website: www.grachtenfestival.nl
What started out as a single free concert from an orchestra floating on a pontoon in front of the Hotel Pulitzer has grown into the 'Canal Festival'. Handel would be delighted to hear that this modern water music has expanded to more than 90 concerts, each set somewhere near or on the water.

SAIL

Where: around Amsterdam
When: every five years. Next event mid Aug 2015
Website: www.sail-amsterdam.nl
An event that started in 1975 to celebrate the city's 700th birthday has turned into the largest nautical gathering in Europe. An extraordinary 2.5 million visitors stroll along Oostelijke Handelskade every five years, admiring dozens of tall ships and thousands of more modern boats. The flotilla of related events includes music, food, extreme sports and art. 

Lowlands

Where: Walibi World, 2 hrs out of Amsterdam
When: mid Aug
Website: www.lowlands.nl
Holland's largest alternative music festival takes place over three days, attracting up to 60,000 young hipsters on each. The music, theatre acts and street performers create a lively atmosphere, and weather is largely unimportant - all the important stages are inside huge tents. Those seeking extra adventure can buy a ticket that includes entry to the Walibi World amusement park, which sits next to the festival site. All told, it's the closest thing Amsterdam has to a Glastonbury of its own. Long may it thrive.

Uitmarkt

Where: various locations around Amsterdam
When: late Aug
Website: www.uitmarkt.nl
Open-air preview of the coming cultural season: theatre, opera and dance. It's all free, and as such it gets very crowded.

Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht

Where: various venues in Utrecht
When: late Aug-early Sept
Website: www.oudemuziek.nl
Top baroque and classical artists converge on Utrecht each year. The festival is a staple of the season in the Netherlands because the use of period instruments allows aficionados to hear the music of Bach, Mozart or Handel as the composer intended.

Autumn

Gaudeamus Music Week

Where: various venues in Amsterdam
When: early Sept
Website: www.gaudeamus.nl
An international competition for young composers organised by the Centre for Contemporary Music, the week includes intense discussion of the state of the art and performances of selected works.

Open Monument Days

Where: around Amsterdam
When: 2nd weekend in Sept
Website: www.openmonumentendag.nl
'Heritage Days', as it's officially called, gives you the chance to visit buildings that are normally closed to the public. Some are breathtaking historic buildings from the Golden Age; others, though, are schools, industrial buildings (old factories, say) or even farms. The event is defined by a different theme each year.

Dam tot Damloop

Where: Prins Hendrikkade in Amsterdam, to Peperstraat in Zaandam
When: 3rd Sun in Sept
Website: www.damloop.nl
The annual 'Dam to Dam Run' stretches 16.1km (ten miles) from Amsterdam to Zaandam, including running through the IJ tunnel and then back again. Up to 200,000 people gather to watch the 30,000 participants trying to finish in the two-hour limit. If you're not a world-class athlete, you can participate in the recreational four-mile mini-marathon.

High Times Cannabis Cup

Where: various venues in Amsterdam
When: late Nov
Website: www.cannabiscup.com
Contest promoting cannabis. There are banquets, bands, cultivation seminars and a competition where hundreds of judges (including you, if you wish) ascertain which of the hundreds of weeds are the wickedest, dude. The event is scattered all over town as, frankly, are the minds of the participants.

Crossing Border

Where: various venues in the Hague
When: mid Nov
Website: www.crossingborder.nl
This festival is a crossover between writers, poets and musicians, but puts words before melody. It's held in the Hague city centre, only a 45-minute train trip away; Many well-known international authors and artists come to perform and in past years have included Razorlight, David Byrne, David Sedaris, Henry Rollins, Robert Crumb, Norman Mailer, Dave Eggers, Jill Scott and Irvine Welsh.

Amsterdam Dance Event

Where: various venues in Amsterdam
When: mid/late Oct
Website: www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl
The organisers claim that this festival, which draws 30,000 each year, is the world’s biggest dance music festival and conference. It combines business with pleasure: during the day, there are conferences and workshops, while at night, roughly international 400 acts and DJs make sure your feet don’t stay still.

Bock Beer Festival

Where: Beurs van Berlage
When: late Oct
Website: www.pint.nl
The former stock exchange is the site of this annual, three-day celebration of seasonal beer. Though there are performances, the real reason to visit is to taste some of the 50 or so different varieties of this full-bodied, slightly sweet and usually dark beer of German origin. Boozehounds should also check the PINT website above for details of other local beer festivals.

Museum Night

Where: various venues in Amsterdam
When: early Nov
Website: www.museumnachtamsterdam.nl
The success of this night (tickets sell fast) shows that the locals like to mix art with entertainment. Almost every museum and gallery in town opens late and organises something special to complement the regular exhibits. You might watch Kirk Douglas as Vincent in Lust for Life at the Van Gogh Museum, or dance the night away in the shadow of Rembrandt's Night Watch.

London Calling

Where: Paradiso
When: late May, mid Nov
Website: www.londoncalling.nl
New rock and pop from the UK (and elsewhere, since they stopped checking passports). Thanks to its increasing popularity, additional specials have been creeping on to the calendar.

Winter

International Documentary Filmfestival Amsterdam (IDFA)

Where: various venues in Amsterdam
When: late Nov
Website: www.idfa.nl
The mother of all documentary film festivals, IDFA regularly plays host to the biggest in the biz, but also manages to keep it real, with workshops and debates drawing attention to the myriad issues thrown up by videographers from all over the world.

Sinterklaas Intocht

Where: Prins Hendrikkade, Dam to Leidseplein
When: mid Nov
Website: www.sintinamsterdam.nl
Children’s parade representing the arrival of St Nicholas, aka Sinterklaas and his controversial 'Black Peter' helpers in preparation for his feast day (6 December), when families celebrate the season by exchanging small gifts and poems.

Oudejaarsavond (New Year's Eve)

Where: around Amsterdam
When: 31 Dec
No, you haven't got off the wrong train or plane, and you're not in a war zone: New Year's Eve is a riot of champagne, oliebollen (greasy deep-fried blobs of dough, apple and raisins), and tons and tons of scary fireworks that officially only go on sale the day before. Come midnight, people take to the streets (and bars, many of which only open at midnight) to celebrate. The best areas to visit are Nieuwmarkt and Dam Square; the latter often stages a big council-sponsored concert, with Dutch acts and DJs to help keep things moving.

Eurosonic Noorderslag

When: mid Jan
Website: http://festival.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl/en/
A rare midwinter fest stretched over three days in Groningen, this is for those seriously into the rock and pop scenes. An international industry showcase, the first two days fall under the name Eurosonic and are all about acts expected to make an impact across Europe in the coming year.

Chinese New Year

Where: Nieuwmarkt, Old Centre: Old Side
When: late Jan/early Feb
Tel & website: www.zeedijk.nl
The Nieuwmarkt is a focal point for Amsterdam's Chinatown, complete with restaurants, a temple and a fantastic supermarket selling all things Asian. Chinese New Year is welcomed during the daytime with lion dances, firecrackers, and Chinese drums and gongs.

Amsterdam Fashion Week

Where: Westergasfabriek
When: Jan, July
Webite: www.amsterdamfashionweek.com
Twice a year, in summer and winter, aspiring designers and those who've already made it show their new collections at the Westergasfabriek. Industry types with invites can sip cocktails and marvel at the models on show; the rest of us are advised to check out the more consumer-friendly Downtown version, in stores around the city.

International Film Festival Rotterdam

Where: Rotterdam
When: late Jan/early Feb
Website: www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com
Although it doesn't take place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands' biggest film festival is less than an hour's train journey away, and attracts around 360,000 visitors to its programme of 250-odd films, may of them with an experimental or futuristic flavour.

Public holidays

New Year's Day 1 Jan.
Good Friday.
Easter Sunday and Monday.
Koningsdag (King's Day).
Remembrance Day 4 May.
Liberation Day 5 May.
Ascension Day.
Whit (Pentecost) Sunday and Monday.
Christmas Day 25 Dec.
Boxing Day 26 Dec.