Summer inspiration

Reasons to visit Amsterdam in summer

Cultural tips for Amsterdam this summer

Summer day trips from Amsterdam

Nelson Mandelapark

Kwaku Summer Festival

What started 51 years ago as a football tournament for the neighbourhood has now been a grand celebration of the identity of the Zuidoost district for years. The Nelson Mandela Park will be the scene of dance, music, film, food and of course football for four weekends.  The festival will return to Nelson Mandela Park in 2026. Please note: The dates for 2026 are subject to change.

Het Amsterdamse Bos

Dekmantel Festival

The Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest)

The multi-day Dekmantel Festival, which guarantees quality house and techno, will return to the Amsterdamse Bos in Amstelveen in the summer of 2026. Please note: the dates and times mentioned for 2026 are subject to change.

Diverse locaties/various locations

Grachtenfestival 2024 Valvetronic Brassband Tolhuistuin

Grachtenfestival, Arjan Linker, de Rode Hoed

Grachtenfestival, Amsterdamse Gracht, Melle Meivogel

Grachtenfestival 2024, Nymphéas Trombone Quartet

Grachtenfestival 2024 Griegs Wonderland Planetarium Artis

Grachtenfestival 2024: Lisa Jacobs Lisa Jacobs & String Soloists, Het Scheepvaartmuseum

Grachtenfestival 2024 Operette Salon; Krasnapolsky

Grachtenfestival 2024, Pat Thomas & Berima Amo, Tolhuistuin Club

Grachtenfestival Amsterdam

In 2026, the Grachtenfestival will return to Amsterdam for the 29th edition. At the Grachtenfestival everything starts with music. Young musicians from all over the world surprise you with their own musical stories. With more than 95 locations, the Grachtenfestival will again be present this year in all parts of Amsterdam, with many free neighborhood concerts, but also at unique locations such as the Royal Palace on Dam Square, the ARTIS Planetarium and Fabrique des Lumières. This ensures that the Canal Festival always continues to innovate and allows visitors to (re)discover the city.

Diverse grachtentuinen

Museum_van_Loon

Open Garden Days

Behind the stately facades of the canal houses, you will find Amsterdam's best kept secrets: large, beautifully landscaped gardens. Every year in June, the gardens are open to the public and you will have the chance to see a variety of canal gardens. Please note: Dates and times for 2026 need to be confirmed and might change.

SAIL Amsterdam

De Gulden Leeuw

SAIL Amsterdam, held every five years, is the world's largest maritime event, bringing tall ships and unique vessels to the IJ. SAIL Amsterdam will return to the IJ in 2030.

Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ

Holland Festival

Holland Festival will return in 2026. A leading international performance arts festival in the Netherlands, the Holland Festival takes place in Amsterdam in June. Since 1947, the festival has been providing Dutch and international theatregoers with a survey of the latest, best and most widely acclaimed productions from around the world. This year, the Holland Festival celebrates its 88th edition. Please note: Dates and times for 2026 are subject to change.

Diverse locaties / Various locations

Alexandra Bachzetsis Private Song credits Nikolas Glakoumakis

Christos Papadopoulos OPUS

Euripides Laskaridis Elenit

Marcela Levi & Lucía Russo grrRoUNd

Julidans

Julidans will return to the city in 2026 with a new edition. Julidans presents the current state of affairs in contemporary dance. In a broad program, see the work of leading and idiosyncratic choreographers from different cultural and disciplinary backgrounds. They show more than 40 performances at 14 locations throughout the city, with International Theater Amsterdam as the heart of the festival. Julidans is the festival for international contemporary dance that inspires connoisseurs and curious minds alike. Please note: Dates and times for 2026 need to be confirmed.

Amsterdam Open Air @Gaasperpark

Amsterdam Open Air

The Gaasperpark has been the venue for Amsterdam Open Air for years. A summer party with 10 stages, 20 music genres and more than 160 artists.  The festival will return in 2026 to its familiar location.

Summer events and highlights

Open-air cinema in Amsterdam

Outdoor swimming spots in Amsterdam

On safari: wildlife spotting in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s best parks

Best outdoor sports to try in Amsterdam

Best outdoor music stages in Amsterdam

Things to do this season

Herring, strawberries and cherry beer: summer season specialities in Amsterdam

Best retro ice cream salons in Amsterdam

Best terraces in Amsterdam

Best waterfront bars to arrive at by boat

Best rooftop bars in Amsterdam

Urban beaches in Amsterdam

A taste of summer

Discover Amsterdam with the City Card

City Card

Festivals, beaches, picnics in the park, outdoor cinema abd sunny terraces - Amsterdam is teeming with things to do in summer.

Summer | I amsterdam

Summer in Amsterdam

Summer

Number of floors in the building

accessible-building

Additional information about the entrance

seamless-access (1)

Width of the door in cm's

Height of the threshold at the entrance in cm's

What are the measurements of the lift?

wheelchair-lift

Dimensions of the lift in cm's (wxd)

Dimensions of the accessible toilet in cm's (wxd)

wheelchair-toilet

Minimum turning circle of 150 cm (yes/no)

Free space beside the toilet of at least 90cm (yes/no)

universal-access

Additional information about the building, entrance, lift, and accessible toilet

sunflower

Hidden disability Sunflower-keycord recognised here

Low stimulus hours

sensory-free-room (1)

Low stimulus area

sensory

Provisions for people who require low sensory environments

hearing-loop

Hearing loop (t-coil or headphones)

hands-asl-interpreting

Sign language interpretation provided

closed-captioning

Closed captioning

open-captioning

Open captioning

signdancer

vibration vests/sign dancers

ear-deaf

Provisions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing

person-walking-with-cane

Guide lines

font-case

Accessible information

braille

Material in Braille

sensory-experience

Sensory experience

indoor-navigation

Indoor navigation

audio-description

Audio description

audio-tour

Audio tour

visualy-impaired (1)

Provisions for people who are blind or partially sighted

staircase

Stairs with handrail

Lift

Barrier-free building

barrier-free

Passageways that are sufficiently wide

Accessible restroom

mobile-payment (1)

Mobile payment

person-seat

Seats

wheelchair-borrow

Wheelchair available for loan

stool-available

Stools available

wheelchair-spaces

Wheelchair spaces

wheelchair

Provisions for people with reduced mobility

guide

Personal assistant

Wheelchair accessible entrance

dog-leashed

Service dog allowed

wifi

GPS/Wi-Fi reception everywhere

calm-times

Quiet times/periods

Guide

map-available

Floor plan available

catering-service

Restaurant with waiter service

General accessibility provisions and information

Popular agenda categories

Most popular articles

Our products

Can we guide you in the right direction?

amsterdam & partners

Vacancies and internships

News and press releases

Contact us

About us

I amsterdam City Card

Canal Cruise Ticket

I amsterdam City Card app

I amsterdam Store

Products and services

Partnerships and advertising

I amsterdam City Card affiliate programme

Your event in our cultural calendar

Support for your business

Art and exhibitions

Concerts and gigs

Theatre and stage

Clubbing and nightlife

Amsterdam's cultural agenda

Weekend Guide

Amsterdam Weekend Guide (5-7 December)

Culture Guide

Culture Guide (December 2025)

New in Town

New in Town: Winter 2025 (December)

Music Guide

Music Guide (December 2025)

Editorial tips

What's on in Amsterdam

Winter in Amsterdam

This season

What's on

Museums and galleries

Attractions and sights

Restaurants and bars

Shops and markets

See and do

Nature and active

Family and kids

Neighbourhoods

Neighbourhoods of Amsterdam

Amsterdam Area

Explore

Bos en Lommer & De Baarsjes

Castles & Gardens | Fortresses and country estates

This month

Public transport in Amsterdam

Cycling in Amsterdam

Travel from Schiphol Airport

How to get from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam

Getting around

Travel and stay

Discover Amsterdam