2023 events in Amsterdam
There’s so much to look forward to this year in Amsterdam. Get ready for a social calendar filled with fairs, markets, concerts, exhibitions, festivals and so much more. Here are the best annual Amsterdam events to look forward to in 2023!
It’s time to get inspired and excited about a new year full of possibilities and events that are sure to keep you occupied. From well-beloved celebrations such as Pride and King’s Day to music, food and wine festivals, art, theatre and plenty of exhibitions to keep you busy. Check out What’s on to stay up to date on all Amsterdam has to offer.
January 2023
21 January - The third Saturday of January marks National Tulip Day. It usually takes place on Dam Square, where about 200,000 tulips form a vibrant flower field that you can admire in the morning, and in the afternoon, you can pick yourself a tulip or two to take home. Check their website for information about changes to the 2023 event.
22 January - Don’t miss the fabulous Chinese New Year celebrations around Dam Square and the historic Nieuwmarkt/Zeedijk neighbourhood.
Enjoy performances by the Dutch National Opera & Ballet throughout the year.
February
14 February - Amsterdam’s romantic charms enchant come February, making it the perfect place to be for Valentine’s Day. Dine with your loved one in a romantic restaurant, walk along the canals and tiny streets admiring the twinkling lights or take in a classical concert.
March
March marks the start of spring, but it can still be chilly in the city. Never mind as there’s a bounty of blooms making their presence felt and are bound to warm your soul.
23 March to 14 May - The big flower event is Keukenhof, a massive festival of flowers that takes a theme each year.
23-26 March - Get ready to celebrate harvest season at the Amsterdam Wine Festival.
30 March to 1 April - Latte art, artisanal coffee beans and Amsterdam’s best roasters all unite in The Amsterdam Coffee Festival.
30 March to 2 April - Kaboom is all about animation and aimed squarely at the kids.
April
9-10 April - Bag a bounty of chocolate Easter eggs as treasure hunts and family-friendly events unfold across the city.
7-9 April - DGTL Amsterdam is all about being an environmentally sound dance music festival where you’ll find heavy hitters in the underground electronica scene.
27 April - At the end of April it’s all about King’s Day, a massive country-wide party bathed in orange. The atmosphere is electric and there is so much to do.
1-30 April - Tulp Festival will see the city decked out in blossoms all through the month of April.
May
You could say May is public holiday month in the Netherlands, as most of them fall in this short period from Easter through to mid-June.
5 May - Liberation Day Amsterdam marks freedom from occupation and sees the city celebrate with a host of concerts. Stay tuned for the activities happening all around the city at Dam Square, Westergas, Vondelpark, Jewish Cultural Quarter and beyond.
17-21 May - Rolling Kitchens brings the food trucks to the festival to create one enormous open-air restaurant at Westergas.
31 May - 4 June - Amsterdam Art Weekend sees the best contemporary art on show at a host of venues.
June
The music festival season officially begins come June as the days are warming up and summer kicks into gear.
June to September - Vondelpark Open Air Festival begins with free outdoor performances through to September.
June to September - Scale the heights for On the Roof Film Festival.
Most of June - Holland Festival showcases cutting-edge performances for 30 enthralling days.
June (TBC) - Foodies rejoice as Taste of Amsterdam serves up its annual selection of tasty morsels, kicking off the summer food festival season.
2-4 June and 9-11 June - Live music, catering, and plenty of wine awaits in the Amsterdamse Bos at the Bacchus Winefestival.
17-19 June (TBC) - Visit some of the city’s enchanting private gardens as part of Open Garden Day.
July
Get the party started in July. Summer is in full throttle with vibrant festivals for everyone taking place across town.
2-16 July - Julidans celebrates all that contemporary dance has to offer.
July to August (TBC) - Kwaku in Zuidoost brings colour and frivolity to Nelson Mandela Park.
29-30 July (TBC) - Milkshake dazzles.
August
1-6 August - Queer & Pride paints the city with rainbow hues. No need to choose, just do it all in true Amsterdam style.
5-7 August (TBC) - Is electronica or hip-hop, grime and R&B more your thing? Take in techno and dance acts at Dekmantel.
6 August - The good times continue to cruise on with the Canal Parade, an all-out fun and fabulous party in the city centre - the major event of Pride Amsterdam. Don your best rainbow hues as you cheer on the spectacular floats as they make their way along the city’s adored canals.
11-20 August - Fans of classical, jazz and world music won’t want to miss the unique Grachtenfestival where orchestras and bands play along and on Amsterdam’s canals.
25-27 August (TBC) - Uitmarkt, a festival that launches the city’s premier museums, theatres and music venues’ new cultural programme.
25-27 August - Step into the colour-filled fairytale of electronic music festival: Mysteryland.
Late August - Bijlmerbios is an outdoor film festival in the city’s vibrant southeast.
August (TBC) - Head upstairs and sit back on one of the city’s many rooftops for the, no points for guessing, Roef Festival.
18 August - 3 September - De Parade Theatre Festival celebrates arts with a flurry of outdoor performances.
September
7-17 September - The Dutch Theatre Festival stages an array of spectacular performances each September.
September (TBC) - Read my World begins, for fans of international storytelling.
3 September - For some it’s time to jump into the canals to raise money for charity as part of City Swim.
7-17 September (TBC) – For the more adventurous, there is the avant-garde Amsterdam Fringe Festival.
9-10 September - Take a peek inside the city’s architectural wonders as part of Open Monuments Day.
21-24 September - Photography fans can experience cutting-edge work at Unseen Amsterdam.
16-17 September - Runners rejoice as the Dam tot Damloop takes place over two days.
September (TBC) - Red Light Jazz Festival celebrates Amsterdam’s jazzy heritage.
October
As the leaves change colour on cool October days, one of the world’s largest music festivals drops.
19-23 October - Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) stages more than a thousand events over five days including lectures, workshops, debates, and of course, DJ acts and bands. This year marks its 25th anniversary, so get ready to see Amsterdam go all out.
15 October - The TCS Amsterdam Marathon is for fitness fans everywhere.
October (TBC) - Amsterdam Music Festival sees big-name artists take to the stage over two days.
October (TBC) - Cinekid is a film festival for kids, bound to keep the little ones entertained for hours. They can interact with exhibits, games, apps and meet filmmakers too.
31 October - At the month’s end, all the spooks come out for Halloween.
November
4 November (TBC) - The city’s cultural institutions come alive on Museumnacht with a special programme running well into the night.
1-5 November (TBC) - International Storytelling Festival Amsterdam unfolds late October with many events in English.
18 November - Sinterklaas arrives mid-November with festive cheer.
8-19 November - Documentary film lovers can enjoy a jam-packed programme at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA).
December
December (TBC) - Amsterdam Light Festival begins and the city’s canals are awash in illuminating art works.
5 December - Let the gifts flow as Sinterklaas arrives with a bounty of gifts in tow.
It’s Christmas, which means marvellous markets, jolly times and good cheer.
31 December - ring in the New Year with a host of parties, champagne and fireworks displays around the city.
And there you have it, another year concludes with fireworks and more parties than you can imagine.
