2026 events in Amsterdam

Events in January 2026

For many, January might be a typically bleak month, but Amsterdam’s cosiness makes the city a little more bearable than most. New Year’s Day (1 January) is a restorative one with walks, shops and even an icy but rejuvenating plunge to enjoy. It’s a good month to explore some of Amsterdam’s cosiest neighbourhood bars, like those in snug De Pijp, or one of the many candlelight concerts throughout the winter. The third Saturday of January (17 January) marks National Tulip Day, where you can pick your own tulips from a flower field on Dam Square. If you still fancy braving the cold, this is your last chance to take in the starry lights of the Amsterdam Light Festival, which runs until 18 January. Last but certainly not least, this is the year that brings WorldPride to Amsterdam. The event will take place in July and August, but you may want to ensure you're in the city for over 500 activities and events spread across 15 days of Pride.

Events in February 2026

Amsterdam has a wealth of things to do to tide you through the month. Art on Paper arrives on 12-15 February for quality paper-based art. Then, romance descends on 14 February, but much of what makes Amsterdam so romantic can be enjoyed alone or with friends, as it can be with partners. Head to one of the city’s most atmospheric restaurants, stroll along the canals, take in a classical concert at the Concertgebouw and Bimhuis, or jazz at some of the city's best venues. Several days later, the Lunar New Year kicks off on 17 February, a great chance to explore historical Nieuwmarkt and Zeedijk while also sampling some of the city’s best dim sum restaurants. Ramadan begins on the same day, 17 February, and it’s worth exploring Amsterdam’s choice of spots for iftar.

Events in March 2026

The first days of spring are some of the best the capital has to offer, as our culture guide to spring proves. While the weather is finding its feet, don't miss the Nock Nock Art Fair (5-8 March) and Kaboom Animation Festival (13 March) for animation films and shorts of the highest level. St Patrick’s Day (17 March) marks the moment right before the flower season hits, making it a prime opportunity to explore Amsterdam’s best Irish pubs. However, the major event of March is the opening of the Keukenhof (19 March), a sprawling park of tulips and daffodils best explored on foot. The same day the Tulip Festival officially arrives to Amsterdam, bringing with it tulips across 100 locations throughout the city. It’s also the time when the cherry blossom season begins in the Amsterdamse Bos. And while you’re in the Dutch capital, it would be wrong not to celebrate Pancake Day (20 March); so these are the pancake houses to tuck in at. If you're ready for the spring harvest, Amsterdam Wine Festival (26-29 March) cracks open the cases for a fruity affair or glimpse groundbreaking photography at Unseen Amsterdam (27-29 March).

Events in April 2026

With spring underway, most people have a pep in their step. DGTL lands at the start of the month (3-5 April), an environmentally sound dance music festival where you’ll find heavy hitters in the underground electronica scene. Mid-april you'll find free-flowing caffeine at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival (16-18 April), where the capital’s best roasters come together.  That'll get you in the mood for Loveland BURST festival (Kingsday edition) and King’s Day itself, which arrives on 27 April, a massive, country-wide party commemorating the reigning monarch. 

Events in May 2026

May is a contender for the best weather in Amsterdam, so make the most of it by celebrating out in the city’s parks. Liberation Day (5 May) marks the Netherlands’ freedom from German occupation, and the city celebrates this with a host of concerts and activities, from Dam Square to the Jewish Quarter and beyond. For food lovers, the Rolling Kitchens (13-17 May) come to town, a food truck festival that turns part of Westerpark into an enormous open-air restaurant. The month ends with Amsterdam Art Week (19 May-24 May) and Lente Kabinet (23-24 May).

Events in June 2026

Summer’s arrival means Amsterdam can finally embrace its alfresco side, and the cultural agenda capitalises on the outdoors. Festival season well and truly kicks off with Amsterdam Open Air (6-7 June) and a party at Tropikali along the water of NDSM-Plein (13 June). Bite of Amsterdam serves up its annual selection of tasty morsels, kicking off the summer food festival season (19-21 June), while Bacchus Winefestival takes place over three weeks (5-7 June, 12-14 June, 19-21 June) and Red Light Jazz Festival celebrates Amsterdam’s jazz heritage (5-7 June).

There's also rooftop screenings at On the Roof Film Festival and a little bit of everything at the Holland Festival (3-28 June). And while you’re outside, you might as well savour some of Amsterdam’s green spaces – Open Garden Days begins (19-21 June), where visitors can explore the city’s picturesque canal gardens.

Events in July 2026

The middle of summer might see Amsterdammers flee for warmer shores, but the roster of events in the city’s parks entices many to stay and even more to visit. Keti Koti takes place on 1 July, a day the capital commemorates the abolition of slavery in Suriname and the Antilles. There’s plenty on, both educational and festive, all in and around Amsterdam’s oldest park: Oosterpark. Elsewhere, the contemporary dance festival Julidans takes centre stage, where you can expect magic in choreographed form and Kwaku in Zuidoost brings multicultural flavour to Nelson Mandela Park. July ends with a bang courtesy of WorldPride Amsterdam (25 July - 8 August), a two-week celebration which celebrates Amsterdam in all its diversity. That same weekend brings Milkshake, a weekend-long festival (25-26 July) for the open-minded and those unafraid to show it. For the techno heads, Dekmantel arrives in leafy Amsterdamse Bos (31 July - 2 August), followed by De Parade, a theatre festival that will carry over into August. Finally, this is the month to stay out in the warm and indulge in the city's late-night eateries.

Events in August 2026

The end of summer is a sunny affair on all fronts. August is in full swing courtesy of Canal Pride (1 August), which generously applies all manner of rainbow hues to the canals and their houses. Classical and jazz lovers have the Grachtenfestival (7-16 August) to look forward to, where orchestras and bands play along Amsterdam’s canals. If film is your preferred medium, you’re in luck: H’ART Museum begins its open-air cinema in August, while the Bijlmerbios film festival sets up in Zuidoost.

Events in September 2026

Autumn’s cool but often sunny skies set in motion the gradual shift from outdoor to indoor cultural events. The Dutch Theatre Festival (3-13 September) stages an array of spectacular performances at the same time as Amsterdam Fringe Festival (3-13 September) invites the avant-garde to its shores, while Open Monuments Day (12-13 September) lets you take a peek inside the city’s many architectural wonders. Before the temperature drops, some Amsterdammers jump into the canals to raise money for an ALS charity in the City Swim (6 September) or sign up for the Dam tot Damloop (19-20 September) – a 16km run from Amsterdam to Zaandam. If the weather is still a little cold for you, lose yourself in storytelling at Read My World.

Events in October 2026

October marks the beginning of Black Achievement Month, showcasing Black achievers and their contribution to the Netherlands through performances, exhibitions and more – so head to the Black Archives as a starting point. Another big-hitter in October is Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) which descends for five days (21-25 October) of lectures, workshops, debates and, of course, parties, all centred around dance and electronic music. Elsewhere, runners not at ADE (or those with serious stamina) mobilise for the Amsterdam Marathon (17-18 October), while the Cinekid film festival (10-25 October) is dedicated to kids, with interactive exhibits, games and even a chance to meet the filmmakers. End the month with a trip to forest-filled Amstelveen to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. 

Events in November 2026

Even as everyone moves indoors, Amsterdam’s cultural agenda never stops. The International Storytelling Festival Amsterdam unfolds in November, with many of its events in English, while the city’s cultural institutions come alive on Museumnacht (7 November) with a unique programme running well into the night. For those who celebrate, Sinterklaas arrives (14 November) to spread festive cheer. Though open to all, you might find the more serious-inclined visitor and resident at the International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) from 12-22 November, which features a jam-packed programme of some of the world’s most searing documentaries. Elsewhere, this is the month to explore Amsterdam's legion of basement bars.

Events in December 2026

As the winter darkness descends, Amsterdam lights up, literally. Amsterdam Light Festival (26 November - 17 January 2027) is the capital’s annual banishment of the shadow, with a different theme attached to the light installations that cling to the canals and the city’s many crooked corners from late November through December and most of January. Christmas fever well and truly descends, meaning Christmas markets, The Amsterdam Winter Paradise and plenty of opportunities to ice skate pop up, while Hortus Botanical Gardens come alive at night in the second half of the month. When New Year (31 December) hits, be sure you’re in good view of the city’s (electric) fireworks display or save room for a night and day out partying, in true Amsterdam style. 

And that’s it for the year – we’ll see you in the next one, destined to be just as good and possibly even better than the last.