Tips for Liberation Day 2024
Following directly on from Herdenkingsdag (Remembrance Day), 5 May is a national day of celebration known as Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day). Throughout Amsterdam, you will find various entertainment and events to commemorate the liberation of The Netherlands during World War II. With these top tips, celebrate freedom, human rights, and life in general during Liberation Day 2024.
Liberation Festivals
Freedom should be celebrated, and the Dutch will do it big on 5 May. There are 12 cities in the Netherlands organising a large (and free-to-attend) Liberation Festival. Amsterdam and Haarlem are two of them. Amsterdam has Het Vrije Westen in Westerpark on 5 May, featuring food trucks, a silent disco and live music. Haarlem has Bevrijdingspop, featuring a massive lineup of Kraantje Pappie, Chef’Special, Wende and Danny Vera, among others.
Het Vrije Westen | Sunday 5 May, 14:00 - 23:00 | Westerpark, Amsterdam | free
Bevrijdingspop | Sunday 5 May, 12.00 - 00.00 | Haarlemmerhout Park, Haarlem | free
Freedom Meals
You can sit down for a so-called Freedom Meal throughout the city, a worthy tradition for 12 years. On squares and stages, in streets and parks all over Amsterdam. For example, Buiksloterkerk organizes an Eritrean coffee ceremony. Café De Jeugd in Amsterdam Oost invites children under 12 (with their parents) to a Freedom Lunch. There will be board games, kids' karaoke and a drawing corner. Magic Circus pauses on May 5 to reflect on the impact of World War II on Sinti and Roma and the circus world.
Concerts
Start your day with a morning concert by the Alma Quartet at the Oude Kerk, or enjoy classical music with a bite to eat and a drink at the Concertgemaal. Evening concerts are also on the agenda. Listen to whisper music at Tempel or listen to the hopeful music of Bach, performed by the Nederlandse Bachvereniging. In addition, traditionally, the free May 5 concert takes place on the Amstel as a festive finale.
Plein '40-'45
During the May Days on Plein '40-'45, you will participate in various activities organised by cultural makers from the neighbourhood. In Studio/K, take a journey through the confronting history of the Netherlands and Indonesia during the documentary Kleinkinderen van de Oost (Grandchildren of the East). Be guided by boat refugees who share their personal stories during a canal cruise or learn to draw portraits at Street Art Museum Amsterdam.
