Choose your location
Fri / May 24
Apr 26–Jun 23 De Oude Kerk ... more The World Press Photo Exhibition is an annual tour of the year’s World Press Photo Awards winners. The exhibition officially opens in Amsterdam every April, and then travels
Oudekerksplein 23
1012 GX Amsterdam, Netherlands
May 24–25 Paradiso ... more Taking place twice a year at Amsterdam’s Paradiso music hall and cultural center – an historic city venue housed inside a 19th century church – the London Calling
Weteringschans 6-8
1017 Amsterdam
May 18–26 ... more Indie fans get ready for a packed lineup of indie rock bands and artists at the annual Indiestad. For over a week in May, Indiestad invades some of the most popular venues in Amsterdam
Throughout the city
May 25 Sportpark Drieburg ... more Sports and music have a long love affair. Think about how many times “We Will Rock You” by Queen has blared over the loudspeakers at countless stadiums across the globe
Drieburgpad 5
1097 HK, Amsterdam
Arts Festival
Jun 1–26 ... more When June rolls around, Amsterdam locals have their choice of which amazing social events to attend. One of the best summer festivals in the area is undoubtedly the Holland Festival
Throughout the city
Jun 6–9 ... more Major metropolises across the globe offer excellent concert venues, beautiful parks, informative museums, and other unique amenities. Popular world cities also feature a plethora
Throughout the city
Jun 8–9 Gaasperpark ... more Electronic dance music (EDM) fans gear up for a weekend of dancing at the annual Amsterdam Open Air. Held each year for a weekend in June, Amsterdam Open Air features a packed lineup
Gaasperpark, Amsterdam
Jun 22–23 Ruigoord ... more Trance music developed in Germany in the 1990s and has become one of the most popular forms of EDM in the world. Its blend of techno, house, pop, classical, and film music make it
Ruigoord 76
1047HH Amsterdam
Jun 29 Recreatiegebied Spaarnwoude ... more Come summertime, Earth’s citizenry heads to a variety outdoor music festivals. In Amsterdam, there’s no celebration of music more fun than the techno infused Awakenings
Genieweg 46
Jul 6 Amsterdam ArenA ... more On a day in July, EDM fans get ready to dance until dawn at the annual Sensation: Source of Light in Amsterdam. Held each year at the Amsterdam Arena, Sensation: Source of Light features
Arena Boulevard 1
1101 Amsterdam
Indiestad
Music Festival
Every year in May | Next: May 18–26, 2013Add to Calendar
Bevrijdingspop
Music Festival
Every year in May
London Calling Festival
Music Festival
Twice A Year at Paradiso | Next: May 24–25, 2013Add to Calendar
Taste of Amsterdam
Food & Drink Event
Every year in May/June | Next: Jun 6–9, 2013Add to Calendar
7th Sunday Festival
Music Festival / DJ Event
Every year in May/June
Trojan Metal Fest
Music Festival
Different Months Every Year
Pony Park
Music Festival
Every Summer
Amsterdam Open Air
Music Festival
Every year in May | Next: Jun 8–9, 2013Add to Calendar
Pacha Festival
Music Festival / DJ Event
Every year in May
Rollende Keukens (Mobile Kitchen Weekend)
Food Festival
Every year in May
House Amsterdam Weekender
Music Festival
Every year in May/June
Riverdance Festival Presents World of Pleasure
Music Festival / DJ Event
Every year in May
Tiktak Eclectic Music Festival
Music Festival
Once a year
Sounds Of The Underground (SOTU) Festival
Music Festival
Every year in May
Doek Festival
Music Festival
Once a year
RightAboutNow Festival
Music Festival
Every year in May
Moulin Blues
Music Festival
Every year in May
People in Amsterdam love a good party, and whenever there’s a festival in town, the streets, parks, canals, and stadiums get packed with film lovers, music lovers, food lovers, arts lovers, and celebration seekers of all kinds looking for a reason to play.
The biggest festivals in Amsterdam are around major holidays, but there are different events all throughout the year. Without question, the most popular of all Amsterdam festivals is Queen’s Day. Every year on April 30th, hundreds of thousands of Amsterdam denizens dress up in bright orange clothes or costumes and celebrate the queen’s birthday by parading through the streets and on boats in the canals. It’s by far the largest party of the year. Other holidays like Christmas and New Year’s are also big for parades and city-wide celebrations.
For the arts, there are multiple film festivals like the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival, the International Documentary Filmfestival of Amsterdam, and various smaller festivals throughout the year. The biggest arts festival, however, is the Holland Festival that features film, opera, dance, and theater. Music lovers can also rejoice with a variety of festivals like the Roots Festival for reggae, soul, and funk, Amsterdam Open Air for electronic, and Solstice for DJ lovers and trance fiends.
Food lovers looking for a festival of their own can participate in Taste of Amsterdam or Amsterdam Restaurant Week where twice a year, restaurants from around the country participate and show off their goods for a fraction of the price.
And finally, for those who are in Amsterdam for its notorious smoking culture, there’s the Amsterdam Cannabis Cup, which celebrates the best in marijuana from all over the world.