Open Monument Day 2026: 12 free events
11 September 2026
10 free things to do in November
Last updated on 30 October 2026 at 11:18
Written by Jessica MeentzenReading time: 9 minutes
There are still plenty of free things to do in Amsterdam in November. Set a little boat with a light afloat on the pond during All Souls’ Day in Vondelpark, discover the history of the Municipal Health Service at the Stopera or go salsa dancing on Sunday. Pick up a free tree or explore art by talented artists from different countries. With these tips for free activities, make the most of November without spending a penny.
Exhibitions
Novogen: 166 hens, 166 individuals at @Droog
Sunday 1 November to Thursday 31 December | Saturday to Wednesday 10:00–17:00, Thursday and Friday 10:00–21:00
In the photography project Novogen, Hungarian artist Daniel Szalai explores the relationship between humans, animals and the pharmaceutical industry. He photographed 166 Novogen White hens individually, showing that each chicken has its own character.
More informationIn the photography project Novogen, Hungarian artist Daniel Szalai explores the relationship between humans, animals and the pharmaceutical industry. He photographed 166 Novogen White hens individually, showing that each chicken has its own character.
Exhibitions
Discover what the GGD has been doing for the city for 125 years
Sunday 1 November to Thursday 31 December | Monday to Friday | 09:00 - 17:00
Discover 125 years of the GGD (Municipal Health Service) in the free exhibition at the Stopera. GGD staff talk about their work, what motivates them and how Amsterdammers experience it. From vaccinations to support for homelessness, unsafe home situations or sexual violence: see the breadth of the GGD’s work.
More informationDiscover 125 years of the GGD (Municipal Health Service) in the free exhibition at the Stopera. GGD staff talk about their work, what motivates them and how Amsterdammers experience it. From vaccinations to support for homelessness, unsafe home situations or sexual violence: see the breadth of the GGD’s work.
Dateuntil 31 Dec '26
Stopera (Centrale hal van het Stadsloket Centrum), Amstel 1, Amsterdam
Concerts
Dance on Sunday afternoon in a tropical atmosphere
Sunday 1 November to 27 December | every Sunday | 15:00 - 18:00
Immerse yourself in a tropical atmosphere and let loose to salsa and bachata at Orchid House, next to Oosterpark. Just walk in – no experience is needed, entry is free and there’s no need to register in advance. You don’t need to bring a partner: you’ll dance with lots of different people. Enjoy it during the day, so you’ll be home in plenty of time.
More informationImmerse yourself in a tropical atmosphere and let loose to salsa and bachata at Orchid House, next to Oosterpark. Just walk in – no experience is needed, entry is free and there’s no need to register in advance. You don’t need to bring a partner: you’ll dance with lots of different people. Enjoy it during the day, so you’ll be home in plenty of time.
Orchid House, Linnaeusstraat 2C, Amsterdam
Events
Remember the loved ones you miss during All Souls’ Day
Monday 2 November | from 18:30
All Souls’ Day in Vondelpark beautifully shows that many people are missing someone. Everyone is welcome to place a small boat with a light and a personal message on the large pond. The boats, decorations and notes will be ready at the tent. You can decide for yourself when to put your boat on the water, and there will be beautiful background music.
More informationAll Souls’ Day in Vondelpark beautifully shows that many people are missing someone. Everyone is welcome to place a small boat with a light and a personal message on the large pond. The boats, decorations and notes will be ready at the tent. You can decide for yourself when to put your boat on the water, and there will be beautiful background music.
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Exhibitions
Bridges and Quay Walls Visitor Centre
Wednesday 4 November to 9 December | every Wednesday | 12:00 - 16:00
Over the coming years, Amsterdam will be working to restore the city’s bridges and quay walls. At the visitor centre, you can discover how this is being tackled and what is involved in restoring a bridge or quay wall. And there's more than you might think!
More informationOver the coming years, Amsterdam will be working to restore the city’s bridges and quay walls. At the visitor centre, you can discover how this is being tackled and what is involved in restoring a bridge or quay wall. And there's more than you might think!
Dateuntil 13 Oct '27
Bezoekerscentrum Bruggen en Kademuren, Achtergracht 20, Amsterdam
Concerts
Music theatre production The Sound of Water and Earth
Friday 6 November | 20:00 - 22:00
Italian mezzo-soprano Carla Regina and 7 musicians take you on a poetic and fiery journey between water and earth, memory and ritual. Enjoy live visuals, singing, poetry and folk music from Southern Italy, Albania, Greece and the Mediterranean region.
More informationItalian mezzo-soprano Carla Regina and 7 musicians take you on a poetic and fiery journey between water and earth, memory and ritual. Enjoy live visuals, singing, poetry and folk music from Southern Italy, Albania, Greece and the Mediterranean region.
Events
The De Gezonde Stad Foundation is giving away free trees
Saturday 7 November | 10:00 - 17:00
Make Amsterdam greener and collect a free tree from Stichting De Gezonde Stad! Choose a Wild Apple or Cornelian Cherry. Both species support animals and plants, require little maintenance and, best of all, grow perfectly well in a pot! So even without a garden, you can help make the city greener.
More informationMake Amsterdam greener and collect a free tree from Stichting De Gezonde Stad! Choose a Wild Apple or Cornelian Cherry. Both species support animals and plants, require little maintenance and, best of all, grow perfectly well in a pot! So even without a garden, you can help make the city greener.
Exhibitions
Discover flavours from Nieuw-West: plates full of stories
Tuesday 10 November to Monday 4 January | varying opening hours
Discover the culinary memories of residents of Amsterdam Nieuw-West. Six stories, six scents, six family recipes and photographic reports offer a glimpse into the diverse food culture of this district. Got a taste for it? Take the recipe cards home and prepare the dishes in your own kitchen. Food brings people together!
More informationDiscover the culinary memories of residents of Amsterdam Nieuw-West. Six stories, six scents, six family recipes and photographic reports offer a glimpse into the diverse food culture of this district. Got a taste for it? Take the recipe cards home and prepare the dishes in your own kitchen. Food brings people together!
Events
International Art Talent Festival
Thursday 26 November | 19:30 – 23:00
Meet 15 promising international artistic talents at Felix Meritis in Amsterdam. From visual art and music to performance and film: be surprised by new voices, fresh ideas and distinctive work.
More informationMeet 15 promising international artistic talents at Felix Meritis in Amsterdam. From visual art and music to performance and film: be surprised by new voices, fresh ideas and distinctive work.
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Felix Meritis, Keizersgracht 324, Amsterdam
Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November | various times
Events
[re]Discoveries: The Zuidas is becoming the Art Axis
Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November | opening times vary
Discover what happens at club Strozzi when art takes over the business world. What does a work of art do to you when you encounter it not in a museum or gallery, but right in the heart of the Zuidas? For four days, 50 artists will transform a business environment into one large exhibition featuring affordable art for your home or office.
More informationDiscover what happens at club Strozzi when art takes over the business world. What does a work of art do to you when you encounter it not in a museum or gallery, but right in the heart of the Zuidas? For four days, 50 artists will transform a business environment into one large exhibition featuring affordable art for your home or office.
Date27 Nov - 29 Nov '26
Club Strozzi, Barbara Strozzilaan 101, Amsterdam
