Festivals & Events
January
Flamenco Biënnale - 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
Esnoga Concerts - winter concerts in the candle-lit Portuguese Synagogue.International Jewish Music Festival (Internationaal Joods Muziekfestival) - the only Jewish music competition in the world, with 24 groups from 12 countries.
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
Amsterdam Wine Festival - festival in honor of the grape harvest in the southern hemisphereCinedans - Festival of short and long dance films, documentaries, installations and Moving Media.
CinemAsia - The Netherlands festival of new Asian cinema with a diverse mix of Asian films and documentaries from independent Asian filmmakers and video artists.
KunstRAI - over 100 galleries display the latest developments in contemporary art, with paintings, photos, sculptures, installations and videos.
Opera Forward Festival - explores with new, leading work by progressive artists the future of opera.
The Art of Drinks - Whisky Festival Amsterdam in the 17th century Zuiderkerk.
April
Amsterdam Coffee Festival - the largest coffee and artisan food event in the BeneluxAmsterdam Kleinkunst Festival
Cinéma Arabe - feature films, documentaries and short films by international filmmakers with an Arab background.
Keukenhof - the largest bulb flower park in the world
King's Day (Koningsdag) - biggest holiday in the Netherlands, celebrated on April 26-27.
Museumweek - More than 500 museums across the Netherlands offer free or heavily discounted admission.
Pop Arts Festival - International puppet and object theatre festival.
Rokjesdagloop (Short Skirt Day Run) - The first day of the year on which women switch en masse from winter to summer clothes. Running event for female runners to take on a 5 or 10 km course.
Springsnow Festival - Amsterdam celebrates the magic of whirling elm seeds from 21 April to 21 May: the season in which the elms throw their seeds as natural confetti all over the city.
Tulp Festival - festival with the objective to have as many tulips in bloom in Amsterdam as possible.
WhyNot - a three day dance festival that brings you - next to dance and choreography - art installations, short films, a morning performance, afternoon workshop and late night party.
May
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.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
909 Festival - Techno festival in Amsterdamse Bos, named after the Roland TR-909 drum machine.Amsterdam Open Air - 2-days outdoor electronic music festival
Amsterdam Roots Festival - Discover new sounds, different styles from all places of the world in the Oosterpark.
Bacchus Wijnfestival - Bands, DJs, wine bars, mobile kitchens and perfect wines at a great outdoor location in the Amsterdam Woods. For festival lovers with a passion for wine.
Festifest - smallest live music and food festival of Amsterdam in Noorderlicht Café in Amsterdam Noord.
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.
Vondelpark Open - yearly golf tournement in Amsterdam's Vondelpark.
July
Amsterdam Gay Pride - canal parade and partiesJulidans - Summer festival of international contemporary dance with work of well-known choreographers as well as up and coming talents.
Kwaku Summer Festival - the biggest annual multicultural festival of the Netherlands that takes place in Amsterdam Zuidoost during 6 weeks in July and August.
On the Roof - live jazz, world, impro, classical music on a spacious roof in a forgotten corner of Amsterdam-Noord.
Over het IJ Festival - Amsterdam-Noord
August
Dance Valley - The biggest and most popular open air summer dance festival in the Netherlands at Spaarnwoude recreation area, just outside of Amsterdam.De Opening - Opening event of the cultural season in Amsterdam, with free previews of upcoming theater, cabaret, musical and concerts at outdoor and indoor stages.
De Parade - a travelling circus full of performances, theatre, dance and art.
Grachtenfestival - annual festival with (classical) music on special locations in the centre of Amsterdam and on the IJ banks.
Kwaku Summer Festival - the biggest annual multicultural festival of the Netherlands that takes place in Amsterdam Zuidoost during 6 weeks in July and August.
Latinvillage Festival (Spaarnwoude Houtrak) - Music, DJs and dance shows.
Loveland Festival - Summer Dance Festival at the Sloterpark.
Mystery Land
Openlucht Filmfestival Pluk de Nacht - Open Air Film Festival Amsterdam
September
Amsterdam Fashion Week (AFW) - 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.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.
Dutch Theatre Festival (Nederlands Theater Festival)
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.
Music in the Seven Bridges Quarter - a chamber music festival in the center of historic Amsterdam
Unseen - annual international photography fair and festival
Valtifest - Music festival for dance, electro, house, dubstep, hip-hop and punk plus eye-catching catwalk shows and colourful performances.
West Beach Filmfestival - outdoor film festival at the Sloterplas (for free) - Buitenterrein Sloterparkbad, President Allendelaan 3 (Slotervaart)
October
Afrovibes Festival - a multidisciplinary performing arts programme focusing on current developments in theater and dance from urban cultural hotspots in Africa.Amsterdam Dance Event - the biggest club festival in the world: 5 days / 100+ clubs / 400+ events
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.
Cello Biennale Amsterdam - 9 days of musical inspiration and discovery for cello aficionados.
Cinekid - Annual Film, Television and New Media Festival for Children (4-16 years)
Imagine - Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival
London Calling - the best new bands and trends from Great Britain.
Unfair - Connects you directly to contemporary artists, their stories and creations.
November
IDFA - International Documentary Festival AmsterdamMuseum 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. (Dec-Jan-Feb-Mar-May)Amsterdam Light Festival - A spectacular light art festival in the historical city centre of Amsterdam (Nov-Dec-Jan)
Masters Expo - 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