There is no end to the fascinations one gets to experience in Amsterdam. The city is an eclectic circus of curiosities and activities that are part unique and part outlandish. From romantic canal boat rides and world-famous coffee shops to art museums and festivals in Amsterdam, the Dutch capital promises unmatched excitement, cultural exploration, and liberal entertainment all year round.
Festivals in Amsterdam witness tourists in the millions from all over the world. Although the town has good road and air connections, arriving in Amsterdam via boat is quite a treat. Ferry tickets to Amsterdam from Newcastle are available through Ferryscanner. If you are planning to visit the city for a special event, it’s worth booking your transfers and accommodation well in advance.
Open Monumentendag in Amsterdam
Celebrated across Europe, Open Monuments Day is a two-day event propagating the cultural importance of historical buildings and architectural sites. Also known as Heritage Day, the occasion incorporates over 50 monuments and estates where tourists can visit and learn about Dutch history.
The high point of Heritage Day is that entry into the buildings, which often stay open till late, is free. Moreover, the festival has a different theme each year. Previous themes have included topics such as Places of Pleasure, Experiencing Monuments, and Sustainability.
During Open Monumentendag, visitors can attend various exhibitions, lectures, guided tours of historical sites, and boat trips around town. Furthermore, music performances in grand architectural constructions allow for spectacular acoustics.
Heritage Day is among the most culturally significant festivals in Amsterdam. The most popular sites to visit during this time are the Royal Waiting Room at Central Station, Central Market Hall, and the Royal Palace at Dam Square.
Event Details
Website: https://www.openmonumentendag.nl
Location: Across Amsterdam
Dates: Second week of September
Amsterdam Gay Pride
Attracting countless visitors annually, Amsterdam Gay Pride is a week-long festival celebrating diversity and raising awareness about gender rights. The event commences with a walk from Dam Square to Vondelpark, supporting the LGBTQI+ community stuck in nations still criminalizing homosexuality.
The main attraction of what is one of the most colorful festivals in Amsterdam is the Canal Parade. It consists of around 80 vibrantly decorated boats with people dancing and singing. The procession starts at Scheepvaartmuseum and sails through the Prinsengracht canal and part of Amstel.
Additionally, there are over 300 events, such as street parties, cultural performances, debates, and conferences throughout the city. Also, several Dutch artists and DJs perform at the closing party at Dam Square.
Even though the Pride officially ends by 10 PM, people can visit places like Club Prime and Bar Hartje for after-hour parties with no entrance fee.
Event Details
Website: https://pride.amsterdam/en/
Location: Central Amsterdam
Dates: July – August
Amsterdam Light Festival
Amsterdam Light Festival is an annual affair where various artists get the opportunity to showcase their light displays over the city’s canals. Lasting more than 50 days, the open-air exhibition takes a different theme each year. For instance, the theme for 2022-2023 is “Imagine Beyond.”
Among the “brightest” festivals in Amsterdam, the event comprises a route with twenty artworks by international artists. The lights of the festival stay on from 17:00 to 23:00.
Tourists can opt to explore the decorations by themselves. Route maps and audio guides are available at the official ticket shops.
Else, you can book guided tours as well as cruises. The latter typically lasts 75 minutes and makes for a truly romantic affair.
Event Details
Website: https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/en
Location: Amsterdam Center-East
Dates: December – January
Rollende Keukens
Rich in art and history, Amsterdam doesn’t hold back when showcasing a jealousy-inducing culinary culture. Walk the city streets, and there are myriad gastronomic delights in all directions. These aren’t just traditionally Dutch delicacies but food from different parts of the globe.
Consequently, food festivals in Amsterdam are a regular feature. From the Amsterdam Coffee Festival to the three-day Taste of Amsterdam, gourmands have plenty of opportunities to savor local and international dishes.
Rolling Kitchens is another epicurean experience highlighting the city’s liberal and inventive persona. In it, hundreds of food trucks line up at Westerpark, offering food lovers a montage of worldly flavors.
A walk around the festival is a joyous attack on the senses. During the event, one can see, smell, and taste everything from dim sum, oysters, and charcoal-grilled spareribs to Scottish lamb, bratwurst, chimney cake, and craft beer.
Entry into the open-air event is free, but carry cash to pay for everything you plan to eat and drink. The atmosphere is equally energetic, with live music, carnival rides, and much mingling leading to a fun family day out. The gastronomic fiesta begins each day at 13:00 and stays operational till 23:00.
Event Details
Website: https://rollendekeukens.amsterdam/
Location: Westerpark
Dates: May
King’s Day
Marked with street parties, concerts, and revelries, King’s Day, or Koningsdag, is a national holiday celebrating the birth of the present monarch, King Willem-Alexander.
While the celebration of King’s Day takes place across the country, it’s one of the most frequented festivals in Amsterdam. On this auspicious day, millions of people show up in the streets wearing orange. They then gather around the bridges to watch decorative boats sailing on the canals.
As part of the festivities, many locals host bargain sales, vrijmarkt, outside their homes, selling second-hand clothes, knick-knacks, and other items. There are also several free and paid live music, DJ, and culinary extravaganzas in and outside the city. Most of these tend to be family-friendly.
Vondelpark is the epicenter of kid’s events like sports, puppet shows, and face painting. Celebrations for King’s Day often start the night before, wherein people attend special club parties and concerts.
Event Details
Location: All over Amsterdam
Dates: 27th April
Amsterdam Fringe Festival
The Dutch Theater Festival, held in September every year, is an important occasion in the European theater community. It not only celebrates the season’s best theatrical presentations but also awards leading performances.
Held around the same time, Amsterdam Fringe Festival is the more experimental version of the theater event. It includes 70-plus performances, across 30 unusual locations, by artists who want to push the boundaries of theater.
Moreover, several arrangements during the Fringe Festival are more visual or in English, expanding their audience base. Productions, though, include both Dutch and international artists.
The festival transpires over 11 days and encourages participants to step out of the box with their creations. Interestingly, performances occur in eccentric locations, from theatres to garages and rooftops. The festival’s last day sees a professional jury present the yearly Fringe Awards.
Event Details
Website: https://amsterdamfringefestival.nl/
Location: Various locations across Amsterdam
Dates: September
Milkshake Festival
Meant for attendees 18 and above, Milkshake Festival is an inclusive space for people from all communities and sexual orientations. The electronic dance event includes performances from national and international disco, hip-hop, and urban artists.
Spread over nine stages, the entire festival consists of a wide range of activities, from music performances and theater shows to drag acts and story-telling gigs. Furthermore, Milkshake is a 100% vegetarian event where you can savor dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan delicacies.
One of the most colorful festivals in Amsterdam, Milkshake focuses primarily on escapism and self-expression. The thought behind the concept is to allow everyone to showcase their individuality in a safe area without any judgment.
Over time, the popularity of the Milkshake Festival has led to it branching out with two supplementary events. Mini Milkshake takes place on the day before the festival. It is a unique occasion reserved only for people with disabilities and their caretakers.
While Milkshake Festival is typically a summer celebration, those that miss out on the fun can partake in Milkshake Indoor. With multiple rooms playing different music genres, this indoor party takes place in October as part of the Amsterdam Dance Event.
Event Details
Website: https://www.milkshakefestival.com/
Location: Westerpark
Dates: Weekend in July
Pluk de Nacht
The Dutch have a special connection with the movies, evidenced by the 15-odd film festivals held annually in Amsterdam. Several of these events, like CinemAsia, Tapis Rouge, and the Spanish Film Festival, celebrate regional cinema.
However, one of the more hipster movie festivals in Amsterdam is Pluk de Nacht. The 20-year-old event is a summer must and includes multiple film screenings under the open night sky. Adding to the ambiance is the setup, which consists of beach chairs, campfires, and cocktails for a relaxed and casual movie night with friends.
The films shown during the 11-day festival include documentaries, features, animations, and shorts. However, one condition is that the movies have not yet seen a release in the Netherlands. So, for the audience, it is always something new and unseen.
On movie nights, the bar and food stalls at Pluk de Nacht start serving at 18:00. However, the films typically start around 21:00, once it is dark.
Event Details
Website: https://www.plukdenacht.nl/
Location: Stenen Hoofd city beach
Dates: August
SAIL Amsterdam
Hosted once every five years, SAIL Amsterdam is Europe’s biggest nautical event. During SAIL, vessels from all over the globe arrive at the city’s eastern harbor. Maritime enthusiasts can visit the IJ harbor to admire international fleets featuring naval boats and tall ships, from the oldest models to the newest vessels.
First organized in 1975 to celebrate Amsterdam’s 700th anniversary, the next SAIL event will take place in 2025. During the five-day festival, the entire city splits into several ocean zones with varying themes based on culture, sustainability, and business.
In addition to the arrival of the boats, locals often cruise the canals creating a party atmosphere like no other. When visiting during SAIL, tourists can enjoy music concerts, performances, fireworks, and a 12 km-long parade on the first day.
Event Details
Website: https://www.sail.nl/en/
Location: IJ Harbour and city canals
Dates: 20-24 August 2025
On the Roof
Amsterdammers know better than to waste the good weather they are blessed with during the summer months. This is why an array of festivals in Amsterdam during this time are out in the open.
On the Roof is one such summertime event held in Amsterdam Noord. It promises exquisite live music performances by up-and-coming artists.
The highlight of the event is its location. On the one hand, the views from a high-up vantage point are stunning. At the same time, the confined rooftop space creates a cozy and intimate setting.
Held from June to September, the event is slowly growing with Sunday afternoon family concerts and special performances by young musicians.
Event Details
Website: https://on-the-roof.com/
Location: Amsterdam Noord
Dates: June – September