NY400: Amsterdam - New York

Entire year 2009

This year, exactly 400 years after Henry Hudson set sail for New York, the city of Amsterdam celebrates NY400 by hosting many activities and events.

Website: http://www.ny400.org

Realisme 2010 Art Fair

Mid-January of each year

A popular and exciting art fair conveniently held near the Central Train Station, dedicated exclusively to the figurative arts. It fills the entire main hall of the new Passenger Ship Terminal in the picturesque harbor of Amsterdam.

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Capoeira Film Festival

Mid-January

A unique film festival devoted entirely to capoeira, African Brazilian art of dance, music and martial arts.
All films the are in Portuguese with English subtitles.

Venue:
Latin America Center
Nieuwe Herengracht 29,
1011 RL Amsterdam
Telephone: 06 488 147 58

Website: http://www.capoeirafilmfestival.com

Chinese New Year

14 February 2010  "Year of the Tiger"

Festival through Zeedijk and Chinatown

Queensday

Every year 30 April

Amsterdam Queensday is officially the national celebration of the birthday of the Queen Mother, but this in reality is only an excuse to PARTY HARD. The celebrations takes place all over the Netherlands, but have a special atmosphere in big cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam or The Hague.
In Amsterdam, Queensday is by far the largest open-air festivity, with estimated 750-thousend people come to the city, wisely arriving by train.

Places in centre like Dam, Damrak, Rokin, Rembrandtplein, Spui, Leidsestraat and Leidseplein are bursting with crowds celebrating and wearing orange.. On Queensday, all street trade all over the city is unregulated, so it is also the time for second-hand shopping. In Vondelpark the children show their business talents offering various attractions.

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Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival

April 2010

26th edition of the Fantastic Film Festival

Website:  http://www.afff.nl

5 Days Off Amsterdam

Changing dates each year...

Probably the loudest event in Amsterdam, "5 Days Off" is a festival of electronic music taking place at the beginning of July in several venues in Amsterdam, like Melkweg, Paradiso and Heineken Music Hall. While it has been at its beginnings an annual indoor dance event, "5 Days Off" has become last years a cultural event of international reputation, an important occasion to present what is new in the field of the electronic music, with participation of music bands from all over Europe and the US.
Website:  http://www.5daysoff.nl

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Art Amsterdam

Wednesday May 26 to Sunday May 30 2010.

Art Amsterdam (previously known as Kunst RAI) is a modern art fair, which is organised each year for five days in May in the RAI exhibition and conference centre, in the south of Amsterdam. It is  a big fair, with more than 120 galleries from the Netherlands and an increasing number of the foreign galleries, mainly from Western Europe and the United States. The accent is on new developments in art.

Website: http://www.artamsterdam.nl

RAI Exhibitor Services at +31 20 549 19 29 or E-mail to exhibitorservices@rai.nl

Amsterdam Literary Festival

May 2009

The Amsterdam Literary Festival is an annual event, held in May. The festival aims to put Amsterdam on the world literary map.

Website: http://www.amsterdamliteraryfestival.com

Holland Festival

Every year - end of May – June.
In 2010 dates are: June 1 – June 27.

Holland Festival is the biggest in the Netherlands performing arts festival of international character. It brings events from all over the world on the fields of music, opera, theatre and dance, also draws attention to chosen films and art shows. Holland Festival also organises interesting conferences and workshops.

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Website: http://www.hollandfestival.nl

Strand Zuid (citybeach)

June-September

Website: http://www.strand-zuid.nl

Taste of Amsterdam

In June each year

Elegant open air festival for people interested in enjoying the good life. Amstelpark where event is held, feels crowded and very busy, The Taste festival is always cultured and relaxed and in good taste. If the weather is good - a perfect outing. If the weather is bad..well then ...fill you plate have some wine and eat up.. it's Holland!.

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Vondelpark Open Air Theater

June – August Every Summer

Various times and days throughout the summer there is music coming from the Openluchttheatre, in Vondelpark,
The open air theatre just by the Park fountain ia home to a variety of ongoing performances. From Jazz to cabaret, drama to folk music concerts, even modern and ballet dance, there is something here for everyone. Don't miss the show ...and do bring the kids.

Website: http://www.openluchttheater.nl

The Open Garden Days (Open Tuin Dagen)

Every year third weekend of June

Amsterdam’s gardens are perhaps its best kept secret as they’re rarely visible from the street. The gardens, hidden behind the stately facades and canals of Amsterdam, are true oases of peace and greenery.

Many of them designed by renowned architects. For this one weekend every year everyone is able to experience these private gardens of Eden..

You can buy one ticket that gives you entry to all the gardens, and there is a special canal boat to take you from one location to another.

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Website: http://www.canalmuseums.nl

International Theatre School Festival – ITS

Each year in June

The ITS festival presents the work of young theatre makers, students of theatre schools from the Netherlands and some chosen European countries, always different each year. During the event, not only theatre productions but also mime shows, dance performances as well as operas by young artists are presented. Workshops and a host of parties accompany the event and bring theatre goers and makers together marvelously.

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Website: http://www.itsfestival.nl

Amsterdam Roots Festival

Mid-June 2010

Each summer, the Amsterdam Roots Festival presents a wide range of global music and non-western culture. For over 7 days in June, the audience is offered a selection of performances, masterclasses and special projects at different locations.

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Julidans Festival

Feel like something different?

01 Jul 2010 - 31 Jul 2010 Dates to be confirmed

A summer festival of dance, Julidans takes place in a number of venues around Leidseplein and offers a rich overview of the contemporary scene. Each year a selection of the work of leading choreographers is presented in a program which enables dance enthusiasts to follow their latest developments and trends. Non-western themes such as new, innovative dance forms from Africa and Asia are included, as is Urban Dance, reflecting popular music, street and dance culture. Up to 20,000 visitors pack the venues each year to enjoy the performances.

Times:
Various. A full program is available from the festival website.

Location:
Various venues around Leidseplein -

Includes:
Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam at Leidseplein 26
Theater Bellevue at Leidsekade 90;
Paradiso at Weteringschans 6-8 (Venue)

Getting There:
Foot: All locations are within walking distance of the Leidseplein:
1.5km (1 mile) southwest of Central Station.
Tram: 1, 2, 5 or 20.
Bus: 170, 171 or 172;
all-night services 72, 73, 74 or 78.

Stichting Julidans (Tourist Info)
Wiepke Westbroek
Leidseplein 26
Amsterdam
1017 PT Netherlands

Tel: +31 (0)20 523 7716.
E-mail: wiepke.westbroek@ssba.nl

Website:  http://www.julidans.com

Kwakoe Festival

July and August for over six summer weekends

Kwakoe has drawn crowds of almost a million people in recent years. The Increasingly popular Kwakoe Festival is Amsterdam's biggest multicultural festival and the festive main event of the Surinamese, black and African community for the year.

Kwakoe attracts thousands of visitors to the Bijlmerpark show grounds (Amsterdam South-East) over six summer weekends for a programme of live music, dancing, film screenings, sports, informative events, discussions and many varieties of ethnic food. A different theme is chosen each year and this is reflected in the music and performances.

Getting There:
Underground: Line 54 from Central Station to Bijlmer stop. Walk the remaining distance to Bijlmerpark or take the free shuttle bus.

Tel:   +31 (0)20 416 0893.
E-mail:  info@kwakoe.nl

Website: http://www.kwakoefestival.com

Comedytrain International Festival\

July – August

Organized by the Toomler Comedy Café, this annual festival features the very finest in English language stand-up comedy. You will leave Toomler in stitches, guaranteed.

Toomler ~ At Hilton Hotel Amsterdam 
Breitnerstraat 2, (Wednesday-Friday, 8:30pm – 11:30pm)
Right Side of Hotel - Look for the Awning and go down to the Lower level entrance

Website: http://www.comedytrain.nl

Website: http://www.toomler.nl

Amsterdam International Fashion Week

Twice Yearly - At the end of July ...and the end January

Twice a year, Fashion Week forms the centre-point of the Dutch fashion world, with a full schedule of catwalk shows, trade fairs, presentations, lectures and parties.

AIFW tries to establish Amsterdam on the existing fashion map where Paris, Milan and London dominate. The idea behind the Amsterdam International Fashion Week is to make a step towards art, and while showing new fashion collections and to create the whole range of events like fashion photography exhibitions, museum exhibits about clothing, meetings of retailers and of course parties.

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Robeco Summer Concerts (Robeco Zomerconcerten)

July – August

Each summer, informal and entertaining classical music concerts - the Robeco Zomerconcerten take place at the prestigious location of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. The Summer Concerts are sponsored, so the tickets are relatively cheap. Tickets start at € 12,50. An excellent opportunity to enjoy classical music in one of the world’s most famous philharmonic halls.

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De Parade

Martin Luther King Park (various times)

 d as one of the few travelling festivals in the world. Inspired by traditional circuses, the park offers a brilliant kaleidoscope of brightly coloured tents making it simply picture perfect. De parade may look like an old-fashioned fairground but it promises a very action packed 17 days of 75 spectacles, featuring dance, theatre, magic, art, animation and music.

Website: http://www.deparade.nl

Amsterdam gay pride

August 2010

The gay pride in Amsterdam is one of the best in the world. It has the unique floating Canal Parade through the famous Amsterdam canals. From the afternoon large outdoor streetparties and large gay dance parties later at night in the clubs.

The Amsterdam Gay Pride weekend will be full of events and parties. In the end the complete program will be a mix for anyone's taste. These are the main outlines of everything to come up. Keep an eye on amsterdamgaypride.nl to get the latest updates on parties and events

The Gay pride festival presents an extensive programme with sports, cultural activities and parties. The highlight of the Amsterdam Gay Pride is the canal parade on in early August, which is a carnivalesque, cultural and slightly naughty boat parade through Amsterdam's canals.

Website: http://www.amsterdamgaypride.nl

Grachtenfestival - Canal Festival

14 - 22 August 2010

The festival bringstogether some of Europe’s best young talents to the banks of the river IJ in Amsterdam.

For five days, special locations in the heart of Amsterdam form the backdrop for more than 160 classical concerts. Over 70,000 visitors enjoyed concerts in 2009. The concerts take place in the city’s most special locations, such as the pontoons on the Prinsengracht canal.

Website: http://www.grachtenfestival.nl

Prinsengracht Concert

Today the Prinsengracht Concert is a part of Grachtenfestival, the whole series of the canal concerts, attracting an audience of almost 80 000.

This open air classical music concert has a long tradition; it used to be called The Pulitzer Concert, because it is staged on pontoons floating on water just in front of the Pulitzer Hotel, previously one of its organizers.

Many spectators of Prinsengracht Concert arrive on boats, while scores of of them are sitting and standing on the canal's banks. The music sounds marvelous in these open, full of water surroundings. The most attractive is late evening, when the stage and its surroundings are illuminated by strong reflectors, creating a truly unique atmosphere.

Website: http://www.grachtenfestival.nl

Pluk De Nacht – Open Air Film Festival

Middle of August each year

Every summer the Open Air Film Festival Amsterdam presents a unique selection of unreleased independent arthouse cinema, documentary, animation and shorts, attracting both film enthousiasts and professionals. Films are projected in the open air on a beautiful old harbour location in the centre of Amsterdam. Admission to all festival activities and screenings is free.

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Scheepvaartmuseum Filmfestival – Film Festival of the Maritime Museum

A wonderful Long weekend in the middle of August

Please Note: The National Maritime Museum Amsterdam will be closed until 2010 for major renovations

Films about people and the sea projected in summer evenings on a huge screen mounted at Scheepvaartmuseum BUT you must arrive by boat with an FM radio receiver to receive the sound. A uniquely Dutch event ..on the water. So make your plans..arrange for a boat rental and enjoy a summer evening on the water watching a film. Do dress warm as it can get a little cool in the evenings on the water.

After the museum's restoration and reopening in 2010. New info will be available.

Website: http://www.scheepvaartmuseum.nl

Sail Amsterdam

2010 - 19th to 23rd August (every 5th year)

SAIL Amsterdam is a large maritime manifestation that takes place every 5 years. The 8th edition of SAIL will take place from 19 to 23 August 2010. For five days long, the Amsterdam IJ harbor will serve as the backdrop for a festive program full of music, culture and nautical riches. Preparations are in full swing and the event promises once again to be an unparalleled nautical spectacle which includes:

During the last edition of SAIL in 2005, more than 600 ships moored in and around the IJ harbor. The event featured a fleet of 21 Tall Ships, numerous ships from the Dutch nautical past as well as modern ships and attracted a total of 1.8 million visitors. Thousands of smaller boats sailed past the fleet.

In addition to the SAIL IN and the Tall Ships, the Sailing Heritage fleet and the row boat parade were also very popular with the public in 2005. SAIL 2005 was honored by several visits from the royal family. For the first time, the event included an extensive cultural program on the wharf which also attracted a great deal of interest. The Postbank beach on the wharf was also a big success, thanks in part to the weather.

Website: http://www.sail.nl

BlijBurg

April 30th - August 30th - Ijburg
(Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. – till late)

Ijburg ...a man-made temporary swimming beach complete with a restaurant, bar, DJs and bands.
Blijburg or 'Happyville,'as it is known for a day at the beech for a party! Also has a great collection of Dutch ship architecture on display so you can say it was an "educational experience". Do check the weather forecast.

Website: http://www.blijburg.nl/

Uitmarkt

Last weekend of August every year

By far the largest cultural event in Amsterdam, the Uitmarkt definitely guarantees a good time in Amsteradm. Actually a visit to Amsterdam during the festival week afords little chance of avoiding the festivities.

Uitmarkt takes place every year during the last weekend of August, it celebrates the official opening of the Dutch Cultural season and offers performances, concerts, exhibitions, drama, countless workshops and a teriffic book market. All events are totally free and sponsored by Amsterdams uit buro.http://www.amsterdamsuitburo.nl

Website: http://www.uitmarkt.nl

Flower Parade - From Aalsmeer to Amsterdam

First Saturday in September (usually)

The Aalsmeer Parade is a spectacular floral display which takes place every year and it's for free. This long parade filled with flowers and large trucks on which bands play and costumed participants dance and perform plays will amaze you. Hundred of thousands flowers create an overwhelming display of colors. The parade starts in Aalsmeer en goes all the way to the dam (square) in Amsterdam city centre.

Website:  http://www.bloemencorsoaalsmeer.nl/index_engels.html

IBC Amsterdam

Beginning of September each year

IBC is the leading international forum for the electronic media industry, attracting 1,000+ exhibitors from more than 130 countries. It combines a highly respected and peer reviewed conference, an exhibition that demonstrates state of the art media technology and unrivalled networking opportunities.

IBC is the event not to be missed for everyone involved in the media worlds of content, creation, management and delivery.

Website: http://www.ibc.org

International Gaudeamus Music Week

September 7 - 12, 2009

The Gaudeamus Foundation holds a competition as part of its celebration of young composers in contemporary music.

Website: http://www.gaudeamus.nl

Inside Design Amsterdam

September 2009 From the 19th 20th
ELLE Wonen will organize Inside Design Amsterdam for the sixth time.

Each year in September, this lively and fun-loving event is organized by a Dutch interior decoration magazine Elle Wonen.

The four day long festival presents exhibitions and lectures about design, fashion shows and product presentations. Each year a few selected themes dominate the event.

A number of Amsterdam shops, restaurants, hotels, galleries and museums participate in the event. Each of them tries to organize additional presentations of the individual designers and usually offers special discounts.

MAKE NO MISTAKE ...Inside Design Amsterdam days, is a commercially profit driven event. Originally organized in 2003, the event does however offer a good opportunity to observe the newest design trends, exchange ideas, weather you are a designer or retailer, and more importantly, if a consumer, a great chance to spend your money!

Tickets: Check the website.

Website: http://www.elle.nl/inside_design/ 

Dam tot Damloop (Dam to Dam Run)

3rd weekend in September (Sep 19 - 20, 2009)

The largest as well as one of the most attractive running events in the Netherlands. It goes from the centre of Amsterdam to the centre of Zaandam.

Website: http://www.damloop.nl

Jordaan Festival

18th - 20th September 2009 in the Jordaan

An overwhelming favorite for many years among Amsterdamers and visitors alike! A big inner city street festival loaded with charm and laughter celebrating the diversity of this former working class district. Features this year as in years past include drum bands, an expanded children's festival, opera and cabaret, a boules competition, a flea market and an auction. See you in the Jordaan!

Website:  http://www.jordaanfestival.nl

Robodock Arts Festival

Yearly in mid-September

A unique festival presenting contemporary art shows in the huge, old NDSM shipyard depot, in the Amsterdam North. The atmosphere is rough, industrial, experimental. A lot of loud music, fire, smoke, noise and heavy machinery are usually elements of these performances. New and always inspiring, under condition that you are into this kind of art.

Website:  http://www.robodock.org

Amsterdam Fringe Festival

September 3 - 13, 2009

Shows, performances, (music) theatre acts and live art celebrate the urge to act, artistic madness and the bravura that blossoms in the fringes of the theatre circuit in the Netherlands and Flanders.

Website: http://www.amsterdamfringefestival.nl

Nationale Restaurant Week

Two times a year, restaurants all over the Netherlands organize a week long event, during which they offer to their clients a full 3 course dinner for a mere € 25,-. The National Dining Week is a truly great idea giving the opportunity to taste the food at some of the best Amsterdam eating places. A list of the participating restaurants changes – to check for the place of your interest look at:

Website: http://www.restaurantweek.nl/en/cities/amsterdam/restaurants

Sloop race on Amsterdam's canals

This unique boat race on Amsterdam's canals will demand a good deal of skill on the part of the steersmen and -women on account of the tricky passages beneath bridges and the other sloops and canal boats negotiating the canals, which will certainly make it difficult to reach the finish without damage. This race is also very attractive for supporters, as they will be able to follow the sloops along almost the entire trajectory, certainly by bicycle. For more information go to:

Amsterdam Marathon

October 18

This 34th edition of Amsterdam marathon, indeed the oldest marathon in The Netherlands. The Amsterdam Marathon comprises three parts: the marathon race, the open marathon, the Half Marathon (21.98 km) for joggers, and the Mini Marathon (4.2 km). For more information go to:

Website: http://www.amsterdammarathon.nl

Amsterdam Dance Event

October 21 - 24

The Amsterdam Dance Event is the worlds biggest club festival with over 700 DJ's and acts performing in 40 of Amsterdam’s finest venues, DJ cafés, record stores, lounges and art galleries. The ADE has grown into a business conference that attracts 1900 key professionals and a club festival audience of 72.000 people. For more information go to:

Museum Night – Museumnacht

On Saturday night in a first week of November each year Amsterdam’s museums open through the night, most with special programmes.

Website:   http://www.n8.nl

pAn Amsterdam – Art and Antique Fair

Third week of November

The biggest national antique fair in the Netherlands takes place in Amsterdam, and lasts for the full week. No wonder, as can be no hasty decisions made in the timeless fields of art and antiques. pAn takes place at the RAI congress and exhibition center. Last years showing also more of modern art of good quality, pAn is a fun to visit, even if you do not intend to buy anything.

Website:  http://www.pan-amsterdam.nl

High Times Cannabis Cup

22 - 26 November 2009

Pax Party House. Melkweg, various coffeehouses, (various times). Six days of pure hedonism: music, events, forums, and tasting sessions.

Website: http://www.cannabiscup.com

Crossing Border Festival

November The Hague

International literature festival, Programme not yet available but last year’s talents included the likes of Germaine Greer, Lou Reed, Eddi Reader, the Flaming Lips, David Sylvian, Joseph O'Connor, Bob Geldof and Monica Ali.

Website:  http://www.crossingborder.nl

Shadow festival

End of November each year

A small film festival, which functions in the shadow of the bigger event – the Amsterdam international documentary film festival - IDFA. The Shadow Festival concentrates on unusual and creative documentaries with an original style. It often presents the work of the students of the film schools. There are open discussions with the film author after each screening. An interesting event, which promotes exchange of new ideas.

IDFA - International Documentary Filmfestival of Amsterdam

November

Leidseplein, (various times)
International documentary festival screens 200 documentary films and videos.

Website:  http://www.idfa.nl

Arrival of Saint Nicholas

Sunday in the middle of November each year

The tradition of Saint Nicholas bringing gifts to children, celebrated in many countries, is an extraordinary occasion in Amsterdam. Saint Nicholas surrounded by his black servants arrives on a deck of a ship to Amsterdam.

The Holy Man arrives every year around 11.30 AM at the Central Station by steamer. He will be accompanied by hundreds of his helpers (zwarte piet), lots of music and lots of fun. Later, the whole parade in a festive way accompanies him to the city center. Hundreds of thousands of children greet the procession. Customarily five tons of candies are given away. The parade ends on the Leidseplein, where Amsterdam mayor welcomes Saint Nicholas.

On the eve of his feast day, December 5th, St. Nicholas visits all children. After knocking on the door he gives them a bag full of presents, that is they were good children.
Read more about the story of Sinterklaas:

Websites: 

Christmas Day and Boxing Day

December 25, December 26

If you find yourself there this Christmas here are a few suggestions to help you pass the time and incorporate a little Dutch culture into your holidays.

New Year's Eve

December 31 / January 1st

New Year is another deliriously wild celebration. The Dutch often stay home with their families until midnight, and many bars open then. The spots that are seriously crowded include Leidseplein, Rembrandtsplein and Nieumarkt. Many venues offer New Year parties. From midnight the sky lights up as the whole of the city sets of fireworks. Find a rooftop location for a 360 view of the largest and farthest reaching fireworks display view on the planet.

Floriade – World Gardening Exhibition

April to October 2012 in Venlo

Floriade, officially called World Horticulture Fair, is a big gardening exhibition, which has been organized each ten years since 1960 in the Netherlands. The scale of the fair is enormous as Floriade usually presents almost a hundred flower shows, with participants from all over the world. The fair lasts through changing year seasons, attracting more than two millions of visitors. The next Floriade will take place in 2012, in the region of Venlo.

Important events outside of Amsterdam

Keukenhof – a historic flower garden
from mid-March to mid-May each year
Keukenhof is a 74 acres flower garden, probably the largest in the whole world. Typically for the Netherlands tulips are here the most important: they are usually grown in more that 100 varieties, to a total of 4,5 million flowers. Additionally there are hundreds of sorts of other flowers (all together - 7 million bulbs planted by hand) as well as beautiful sculpture park, featuring 2500 trees in 87 sorts. Keukenhof is located ca. 30 km south of Amsterdam, close to Leiden, with an easy communication to the city.

Website:   http://www.keukenhof.nl