Free classical concerts in Amsterdam

Concertgebouw

Every Wednesday during lunchtime, visitors can enjoy a free half-hour-long concert in Amsterdam's prestigious concert hall, the Royal Concertgebouw at Museumplein - known worldwide for its superb acoustics. Depending on the week, you can enjoy chamber music in the Kleine Zaal or a rehearsal in the Grote Zaal. Due to popularity, tickets are limited to two per person. 

Keep an eye on the Concertgebouw calendar for free open-air concerts during the summer, for major events such as SAIL, and to open the new cultural season each September.

Muziekgebouw

Not quite free, but very nearly so, the Muziekgebouw regularly hosts one-hour lunchtime concerts featuring students and professional musicians. The Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ is one of Amsterdam's pioneers in contemporary music as well as jazz, classical, and electronic. This is the place to be if you'd like to enjoy music by a new generation of international and local musicians.

Grachtenfestival

Each August, Amsterdam’s Grachtenfestival transforms the city into a stage for free classical concerts in unique locations: canal boats, gardens, museums, and more. The highlight is the Prinsengracht Concert, performed on a floating stage and viewed from bridges or boats. Showcasing young talent, the festival brings classical music to unexpected corners of the city over ten magical days.

De Thomas

You'd be hard-pressed to recognise the exterior of the unassuming De Thomas church on the edge of Zuidas as one of the highlights of post-Second World War Dutch architecture. Yet this church is an art object in more ways than one. Take in the brutalist surroundings of the church during one of the bi-monthly Tuesday lunchtime concerts. The half-hour concerts highlight classical musicians and ensembles, while De Thomas also hosts various showings, theatre performances and poetry hours.

De Waalse Kerk

Once a month, visitors can enjoy a free organ lunchtime concert performed by students of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in the beautiful setting of De Waalse Kerk, which has been at the heart of Amsterdam since the 16th century. The half-hour concerts take place every second Tuesday of the month except July and August. This is a unique opportunity to hear De Waalse Kerk's Müller organ, built in 1734 and made famous by Gustav Leonhardt and Jacques van Oortmerssen.

OBA

The Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam (OBA) promotes culture and the arts throughout the city through many initiatives. One such effort is hosting free lunchtime concerts in its various branches. Come to OBA Oosterdok for a free Sunday lunchtime concert performed by students of the Conservatorium Amsterdam. Combine the concert with a visit to OBA's viewing deck, which offers a calming vista over the water. Other OBA concerts can be found on the Conservatorium van Amsterdam website.

Westerkerk

Westerkerk's tower perches over the Prinsengracht, instantly recognisable as the city's highest church at 85 meters tall. With free lunch concerts at the Westerkerk every Wednesday, take a half-hour to enjoy a classical music concert, featuring the beautiful sound of the church organ. The Westerkerk also participates in the Grachtenfestival with a series of free lunch concerts and hosts a special free concert series called ‘Geen dag zonder Bach’, translated as ‘No day without Bach’, during August.

Embassy of the Free Mind

The lunch concerts at the Embassy of the Free Mind are free for everyone with a ticket to the museum, which is a fitting excuse to explore the Embassy of the Free Mind. This museum library resides in a historic 17th-century building on the Keizersgracht and holds an expansive collection of prints, books, and treasures with a particular focus on Amsterdam's free-thinking nature. The Embassy's half-hour concerts are hosted monthly and welcome various musicians, from flautists to guitarists, violinists, and more.

English Reformed Church Amsterdam

Concealed within the nook of the historic Begijnhof almshouse garden, The English Reformed Church has a long history in Amsterdam. While the original wooden church burned in the 1421 fire, this brick and stone church has flourished since the 17th century. Now, the English Reformed Church also holds free monthly lunch concerts. The hour-long performances vary depending on the month, welcoming choirs, wind orchestras and instrumental ensembles into the church.

Bimhuis

A slight departure from the classical concerts on the list, these Tuesday jam sessions bring international jazz talent to the stage of the Bimhuis, the Muziekgebouw's next-door neighbour. Known as Amsterdam's leading venue for jazz and improvisation, Bimhuis has opened its stage for free-to-attend sessions from 22:00 to just past midnight. With surprise visits from world-renowned musicians and young talent, these nights certainly pack a punch. 

Stadsloket Noord

Make a journey to Amsterdam Noord, a rapidly developing part of the city. The local municipality supports cultural initiatives through free monthly classical music concerts in its civic hall, Stadsloket Noord. The concerts last 45 minutes and feature various artists, from brass quintets to piano players. The municipal centre also hosts special exhibits and community events.

Opera in the Park

Each year during Holland Festival, Opera in the Park brings world-class opera to the outdoors with a free screening of a full production on a large screen in Amsterdam’s Park Frankendael. Visitors can enjoy the performance in a relaxed, picnic-style setting, making opera accessible to all while combining culture, nature, and community in a unique open-air experience.