Culture Guide (October 2026)

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Editor’s Pick: ADE Art & Culture

Amsterdam Dance Event isn’t all about dancing. Besides the dependable night programme and conference, there’s always plenty to do without setting foot in a club. From concerts with fish to dance workshops, exhibitions, and community dinners, ADE’s arts & culture programme is a testament to electronic dance music’s rich cultural history and legacy – even if you can’t stand techno. Our picks include an Icelandic-inspired sonic journey through ARTIS aquarium, trio of concerts in the historic, hidden church, Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder, and an Egyptian and disco-inspired musical journey at Van Eesteren Museum. 

Check out our cultural tips for ADE

CABINET

Furniture lovers and curio hunters unite at this design market that’s all about rare and curated finds. Running across the first weekend of October in the cavernous Centrale Markthal, the 4th edition of Cabinet promises to deliver much of what the last few have, complete with art, design and cabinets filled with special wares. It’s more than just a place to source something for your home though; there’s a whole roster of Q&As and talks, including one on restoring vintage furniture and another on how exactly to master the perfect lighting.

3-4 October | Centrale Markthal

ART & EXHIBITIONS

Editor’s Pick: Disco

In 70s New York, clubs and private lofts filled with music, movement and people seeking a moment of escape from a city marked by tension and uncertainty. Disco music and the scene surrounding it developed during this transformative period and went on to undergo a remarkable evolution in the decades that followed. Disco explores how the genre became a cultural breeding ground for freedom, resistance and self-expression. Through original club objects, photography, fashion and performance, it reveals how the disco scene redefined the way communities connected and, perhaps most importantly, how they let go.

From 9 October | Wereldmuseum

Chez Matisse

A highlight of the cultural season: the exhibition Chez Matisse at the H’art Museum shows how French painter Henri Matisse transformed modern art through his bold use of colour and shape. Over 80 works are on show, including one of his most famous paintings, La Blouse roumaine. The exhibition also highlights Matisse’s influence on artists such as Picasso, Rothko, and Newman.

From 3 October | H’ART Museum

ART IS NOT A CRIME

Photographer Henry Chalfant played a defining role in preserving and legitimising New York’s graffiti movement. Through his iconic images, films and publications, he transformed graffiti from a fleeting street phenomenon into a globally recognised cultural and artistic movement. This autumn, street art museum STRAAT Museum celebrates Chalfant’s legacy with the exhibition ART IS NOT A CRIME. Henry Chalfant: Capturing Graffiti Culture, NYC, 1977-1987.

From 9 October | STRAAT

BOOKS & STORYTELLING

Mythos

Dive into the myths that made us – or at least we’ve come to believe have – with this special storytelling night at Oost favourite Mezrab. Every month, the team picks a different ancient tradition to dive into and this one’s for those who love the mythical and magical. A free event that’s donation-based, it’s an excellent date night activity or one for anyone on a budget.

6 October | Mezrab

24 Hours Zuid

This day-long celebration of a different neighbourhood in Amsterdam arrives in Zuid this October. Highlighting the many people and makers that make the southern corner of the capital come to live, you’ll find a day-long programme of events and activities. If you’re in need of tips, we’ve picked out 10 of the best including yoga in the St Thomas Church or stargazing from a hotel rooftop. We’ve also put together some tips for families and kids too. 

10 October | Zuid

THEATRE & MUSICALS

XTC: The Electronic Musical

Debuting last year, XTC by Vicu Bazan Szelest is back for another round of euphoric, techno-inspired musical numbers. An immersive club experience that follows the story of one man’s descent from sobriety back into old vices on a night out after meeting his ex-girlfriend, this show is unlike any musical you’re likely to go to. With a first-person camera that follows actors around the “club” and the audience serving as club-goers, you’ll watch the drama unfold on screen as well as be part of it, dancing along and ordering drinks from the on-stage bar. Even the bathrooms are used as part of the scenes – so pick your moments wisely in this one-hour show that includes a 30-min DJ set to warm up. 

23 October | Het Sieraad

Two Gentlemen of Verona

At once a romantic comedy and a sly satire, The Two Gentlemen of Verona explores what happens when friendship collides with desire. Staged by the We Love Shakespeare Ensemble at Mike’s Badhuistheater, this early Shakespeare work serves up mistaken identities, reckless pursuits and plenty of chaos – all laying the groundwork for his later plays and proving that matters of the heart have always been complicated.

27-28 October | Mike’s Badhuistheater

DANCE & OPERA

Swan Lake

This season’s classical highlight is undoubtedly the Swan Lake ballet on the National Opera & Ballet stage. Experience Tchaikovsky’s masterful score, interpreted through the choreography of Rudi van Dantzig, in the immortal tale of Odette and Prince Siegfried’s love, betrayal, and deception.

15 October - 8 November | National Opera & Ballet 

CINEMA & FILM

Cinekid

Don’t miss this year’s Cinekid Festival at Pathé Amsterdam Noord. Marking its 40th anniversary, the film festival has prepared a nostalgia-fuelled agenda featuring the finest Dutch children’s films and series, plus workshops and masterclasses for all ages. Kids can take part in meet-and-greets with actors or head over to the MediaLab for interactive VR experiences and games to keep them occupied during the autumn holidays.

10-25 October | Pathe Amsterdam Noord

TALKS & DEBATES

An evening with Fran Lebowitz

American author, cultural critic and sharp-tongued, Fran Lebowitz brings her trademark observations on politics, art and everyday life to Amsterdam for a rare live appearance. In conversation with journalist Twan Huys, the Pretend It’s a City star will tackle contemporary culture, followed by an audience Q&A and book signing.

29 October | Meervaart

Brainwash Festival

A chance to use your brain instead of your phone, Brainwash Festival is for the thinkers out there. A two-day festival that is about challenging the thinking of the status quo, you’ll join philosophers, writers, scientists and artists in interrogating our beliefs and maybe even changing your mind. This year’s theme is ‘the shape of us’, so broad interpretations are welcome, with the likes of acclaimed writer Deborah Levy set to help define what this can mean.

31 October - 1 November | Skate Cafe + Tolhuistuin

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