Open Monument Day 2026: 12 free events
Felix Meritis
On the roof of Felix Meritis is the oldest astronomical observatory in the Netherlands. It has been used for astronomical observations since the 18th century. On Saturday evenings, you can stargaze here yourself. There’s plenty to discover indoors too: at Jeffrey’s Underground Cinema, you can watch unusual films from the 1960s that you don’t see on the big screen every day.
- Keizersgracht 324 | Saturday 12 September | 20:30 – 22:30 | more information
Bicycle tour: the vanished Bijlmermeerpolder
Did you know that the Bijlmer was once a green polder? Around 400 years ago, the Bijlmermeer was drained, creating a landscape of windmills, farms and meadows. Hop on your bike and discover with Bijlmer expert Hans Mooren what remains to be seen of this vanished polder. Along the way, you’ll visit the Gaaspermolen, where the miller will tell you all about the mill’s workings and history.
- Starting location: ArenA Station / Hoekerodeplein 1 | Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September | 11:00 & 14:00 (duration 1.5 hours)| more information
Zandkasteel
This iconic building soon became known as Zandkasteel because of its sandy-yellow colour and organic shapes. The former bank building now offers all sorts of things to see and do. Have a quick portrait drawn, listen to jazz at ZOJazzstage or explore Zandkasteel during a special guided tour. With all its towers, curves and unusual spaces, this tour is also a fun way for children to discover the monument.
- Bijlmerplein 888 | open Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September from 10:00 - 18:00 | more information
Pianola Museum
A piano that plays by itself? At the Pianola Museum, you can see how it works. There’s plenty for children to enjoy too: they can operate the pedals of a pianola themselves and discover how such a player piano works. And if you enjoy a bit of old-fashioned humour, you can join the screening of the film One Week on Saturday evening, starring Buster Keaton. Together with his new bride, he tries to build a house using a 1920s DIY kit (it turns out to be quite a job). The film will be accompanied live by piano music.
- Westerstraat 106 I Saturday 12 September| 20.00 – 22.00 hours | more information
Tour of shop-front signs in Oud-West
Do you love them too, old shopfront signs that brighten up the city? They’re sometimes true works of art. In Oud-West, the Historic Shopfront Signs Working Group has already ensured that 25 signs were preserved, and over the coming period, it will be restoring another 50. Join a guided tour and let the working group members tell you all about the history behind these façades.
- Bellamystraat 387 | Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September | 10.00, 12.30 & 15.00 (duration: 45 mins) | more information
Van Gendthallen
In autumn 2026, the Van Gendthallen will open their doors as a vibrant new hub in Oostenburg. Take a look inside this impressive industrial cathedral, where locomotives and ship engines were once built.
- Oostenburgermiddenstraat 15 I Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September | 10.00 – 17.00 | more information
Flash Lecture Vlooienburg
The late mayor Eberhard van der Laan’s wish to return the empty spaces in the Stopera to the city became a reality in June 2026. The central space has been transformed into a cosy market hall with shops and stalls. Archaeologist Ranjith Jayasena uses a scale model and a display case filled with archaeological finds to show what life here once looked like. The exhibition is free to visit every day.
- Amstel 3 | Sunday 13 September | 14.00 & 15.00 (duration: 20 mins) | more information
Scheepvaarthuis
The Scheepvaarthuis is already impressive from the outside, but there is even more to discover inside. Special details emerge everywhere: from ornate woodcarvings and stained glass to statues and ornaments. During Heritage Open Days, you can wander through the building and view these details up close. A place where there is never enough to see.
- Prins Hendrikkade 108| Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 September | 10:00-17:00| more information
Zonnehuis
Since 1932, theatre performances, music events, parties and society activities have taken place at ’t Zonnehuis. The striking building has a beautiful Art Deco-style theatre, with many unique details. During Heritage Day, you can visit the exhibition about 80 years of NDSM and discover how the shipyards influenced daily life in Noord.
- Zonneplein 30 | Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 September | 10:00-17:00 | more information
Cold War nuclear shelter
Did you know there are still around 40 nuclear shelters throughout Amsterdam? This is your chance to visit one and let loose in the mosh pit with the progressive hardcore punk band Sneurf. Punks in bunkers, a match made in heaven.
- Bornohout 8 | open Saturday 12 September 12:00–17:00, music at 15:30 and 16:15 (duration 20 minutes) | more information
SN Fatih Mosque
A church, a carpet hall, a music shop and now a mosque: over the years, the SN Fatih Mosque has had a surprisingly wide range of different uses. On Sundays, you can join the introduction 'Along Amsterdam’s Muslim Heritage'. Afterwards, you can set off on your own using one of the four walking and cycling routes past mosques, art and other places connected with the city’s Islamic heritage.
- Rozengracht 150 | open Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 12:00 - 17:00, introduction to the city guide on Sunday at 15:00 and 16:00 | more information
Amsterdam’s first skyscraper
A twelve-storey residential tower may not sound particularly remarkable today, but in 1932 it was a sensation. The Twaalf Verdiepingenhuis (now better known as De Wolkenkrabber) was the very first block of flats in the Netherlands and offered an exceptional level of luxury for its time: central heating, a lift and even a rubbish chute. During Heritage Open Days, climb this skyscraper and enjoy the view over Plan Zuid, Berlage’s famous urban plan.
- Victorieplein 45/47 I Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 September | 10.00 – 17.00 | more information