What's on in Amsterdam

Check out what’s on in Amsterdam with our complete guide to events and entertainment. As a world-renowned capital of culture, you’ll find theatre performances, festivals, nightlife, sports events and exhibitions to inspire you. Search the agenda for something specific or browse our highlights and recommendations to start you off.

What's On highlights

Major autumn events

IDFA: International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam

Each November, the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) transforms Amsterdam’s city centre into a paradise for...

08/11/2023 - 19/11/2023

Diverse Locaties / Various locations

Internationaal Storytelling Festival

Tough stories, beautiful stories, old stories, moving stories, it's all covered during the International Storytelling Festival. In...

01/11/2023 - 05/11/2023

Podium Mozaïek

Arrival of Sinterklaas

He might look similar to Father Christmas or Santa Claus, but ‘Sinterklaas’ (Saint Nicholas) is a very Dutch character loved by ch...

12/11/2023

Sinterklaas Intocht Amsterdam

Open Monument Day Amsterdam

The 37th edition of Open Monuments Day will take place on Saturday 09 and Sunday 10 September 2023 with a new theme. Last edition ...

09/09/2023 - 10/09/2023

Diverse Locaties / Various locations

Dam tot Damloop

The Dam tot Damloop is the largest running event in the Netherlands. Every year, about 35,000 people run 10 English miles (16.1 km...

16/09/2023 - 17/09/2023

Dam tot Damloop

Humans of Film Festival

The Humans of Film Festival developed from the Humans of Film Amsterdam street photography blog, a platform where personal stories...

12/10/2023 - 15/10/2023

Het Ketelhuis

Affordable Art Fair

Affordable Art Fair Amsterdam returns in 2023 with a new edition to the Kromhouthal in Amsterdam-Noord. The art event hosts a larg...

25/10/2023 - 29/10/2023

Kromhouthal

Museum Night Amsterdam

Museum Night Amsterdam returns to the city in November 2023. See Amsterdam's museums in a completely new light – after dark! Spend...

04/11/2023

Diverse Locaties / Various locations

Camera Japan Festival

CAMERA JAPAN Festival has grown into the largest Japanese film festival in the Benelux and attracts thousands of visitors every ye...

28/09/2023 - 01/10/2023

LAB111

Amsterdam Fringe Festival

Sometimes referred to as the NL Theater Festival’s quirky sister, Amsterdam Fringe Festival is all about bringing avant-garde prod...

01/09/2023 - 10/09/2023

Diverse Locaties / Various locations

Amsterdam Spanish Film Festival

Calling all lovers of Spain, culture fanatics and film buffs to the only Spanish film festival in Amsterdam. With a new festival l...

04/10/2023 - 08/10/2023

Diverse Locaties / Various locations

Tapis Rouge French Filmfestival

The French Film Festival Tapis Rouge will return to the Filmhallen in Amsterdam in 2022 for a new edition.

14/11/2022 - 15/11/2022

De Filmhallen

Best of

Best stages for comedy and spoken word in Amsterdam

From slam poetry and storytelling to stand-up and improv., there is a whole range of unique stages for spoken word hidden across Amsterdam. Catch some...

English-language and surtitled theatre in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s international focus means that there is never a shortage of things to do, and where English-language theatre is concerned there are option...

Best jazz venues in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has built a name as one of the leading European jazz cities. In this guide, we will cover the best jazz venues across the city. From intimat...

Best vinyl bars in Amsterdam

Anyone looking for DJ sets and listening sessions that are all about the records will be spoilt for choice in Amsterdam. With its eclectic and ever-gr...

Best cinemas in Amsterdam

A trip to the movies is always extra special in Amsterdam, where you’ll find some of the quirkiest independent film houses in Europe. Enjoy a gr...

Outdoor cinema in Amsterdam

As summer sun casts Amsterdam in a dreamy glow, the time has finally come for one of our favourite seasonal pastimes: open-air cinema. Pack some popco...

Amsterdam's major music festivals

From blockbuster dance festivals to exotic canal parades, here are some of the best music festivals taking place in and around Amsterdam each year.

Amsterdam's intimate music venues

Going out in Amsterdam is not all about big crowds and world famous dance festivals. One of the musical thrills is that you can find a wide array of p...

Amsterdam's major music venues

Amsterdam is one of Europe's live music capitals, attracting almost every major artist when they head out on tour – as well as being a...

Amsterdam's best clubs

Amsterdam is home of Europe's best nightlife venues, from underground bunkers to newly converted warehouses. No matter what your scene, you’re b...

What's on by season

Music

Pop & rock gigs

Amsterdam adores live music and touring bands love stopping off in Amsterdam, so it's always easy to find great music throughout the city.

Jazz, world & blues concerts

There's a clear passion for jazz, blues and world music in Amsterdam, as evidenced by the world-class international players that continually return to...

Classical music concerts

With world-class performances, Amsterdam strikes all the right notes with classical music fans. Despite its relatively small geographical size, the ci...

Music festivals

From jazz on roofs, to classical concerts on canal barges, to Bowie on church harpsicords, through to electronic beat-filled fields, the local music f...

Dance music festivals

Dance music is a big deal in Amsterdam, and the dance festival season stretches from the beginning of summer through to the end of autumn.

Festivals & events

Cultural festivals

Culture. It’s a big deal. It covers the full spectrum of what it means to be human: art, history, dance, sand sculpture, craftsmanship, tulips, ...

Theatre festivals

While Amsterdam has plenty of Dutch-language theatre, the city also harbours a rich dance tradition, as well as a whole scene that prefers the visuall...

Children's festivals

Dutch children and teens have been rated by UNICEF as the happiest in the world. One reason: they are given a lot of freedom to explore their interest...

Fairs & events

Amsterdam is a convention town. It hosts events that range from tribal art to AI-driven MedTech, along with other fairs that focus on everything from ...

Major sporting events

From the Amsterdam's streets to its stadiums, the city is an iconic sporting location. Swimmers and rowers can be seen racing in the canals, Amsterdam...

Film festivals

Amsterdam has massive and globally acclaimed festivals dedicated to documentaries and animation – along with more intimate ones related to subje...

Culinary events

Amsterdam hosts a number of culinary events throughout the year offering locals and visitors plenty of opportunity to try many new dishes. Whether foc...

On stage

Comedy

Laugh it up with top comedy talents in Amsterdam. Be it the Amsterdam-based comics of Boom Chicago and Toomler or top touring acts from the UK and US,...

Theatre

With something for everyone, choose from a rich selection of theatre performances in Amsterdam and the surrounding area.

Opera performances

With large-scale staged productions and intimate vocal sessions, opera fans can certainly get their fill in Amsterdam.

Musicals & shows

Catch a dazzling selection of musicals, burlesque performances and other shows in Amsterdam and the surrounding area.

Modern dance

The modern dance scene in Amsterdam (and the Netherlands) is particularly vibrant. As such, Amsterdam frequently plays host to both cutting-edge chore...

Ballet

In Amsterdam you'll find that there is a great tradition of ballet, led by the Dutch National Ballet. This world renowned troupe can be seen performin...

Find out more about Amsterdam