April
– Kings day
King’s Day (used to be Queen’s Day) festivities invites both locals and visitors to enjoy Amsterdam’s open-air fun. In the streets, canals, parks and everywhere in between, the city is bursting with orange as Amsterdammers enjoy the biggest street party of the year. Try to go on a boat this day, it’s the best thing you can do! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koningsdag
– Newmarket days
Every year at the end of April, there is one week when everyone who is down for a beer and gezelligheid goes to the April celebrations at the Nieuwmarkt. With a ferris wheel, a pivot mill, and performances of small bands, there is always a crowd of people who want to have a drink with you. No matter what day of the week you go there, there is always a good atmosphere. Go there, it’s free and you will love it! https://www.facebook.com/events/232532777151799/
May
– Liberation day, May 5th
Every year on the 4th of May we remember all the people that fought for our freedom in World War II, and the peacekeeping missions after. On the 5th of May we celebrate our peace with music festivals all around the country! In Amsterdam there is also a celebration party, although this is small. It’s best to go to Haarlem, the town next door. http://www.bevrijdingspop.nl/
– Rolling Kitchens
Rollende Keukens is the biggest food festival in Amsterdam. This fantastic food truck festival is at Westerpark in middle of May. Masses of mobile food purveyors set up their “rolling kitchens”, making Westerpark into a large open-air restaurant, complete with beer tents and live music. Every year this festival just gets bigger and better! However, that also means big crowds, so get there early. https://rollendekeukens.amsterdam
June
– Vondelpark Open Air Theater
Every summer the Vondelpark Open Air Theatre, located in the Vondelpark in Amsterdam is the perfect spot for unique outdoor concerts and performances. Open every weekend. Check the agenda at https://www.openluchttheater.nl
Juli
– Open garden days
Every year, the Museum Van Loon organizes the Open Garden Days on the third weekend of June. During this weekend, a hidden part of Amsterdam becomes visible as more than 25 canal house gardens are opened to the public. http://www.opentuinendagen.nl/
– Pitch
The Pitch Festival is known for its traditionally strong electro-tinged line-up, bringing a two-day musical celebration at Amsterdam’s NDSM Wharf. 10.000 partying and dancing people across 4 stages. http://pitchfestival.nl/
August
– Amsterdam Gay Pride
Amsterdam Pride or Amsterdam Gay Pride is a citywide gay-festival held annually at the center of Amsterdam during the first weekend of August. The festival attracts several hundred-thousand visitors each year and is one of the largest publicly held annual events in the Netherlands. https://pride.amsterdam/?lang=en
– Grachten festival
The magnificent Grachtenfestival (Canal Festival), held annually in August on and around Amsterdam’s canals, is one of the cultural highlights of the Amsterdam summer. The historic canal belt of Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2010, hosts the ten-day festival of classical music at numerous beautiful locations. https://www.grachtenfestival.nl/index.vm?lang=en
– “Pluk de Nacht”, movie nights
Amsterdam’s open-air film festival Pluk de Nacht (Seize the Night) annually brings a round of free outdoor cinema to Amsterdam’s waterside in August. https://www.plukdenacht.nl/en/
– Jordaan festival
A big inner city street festival celebrating the diversity of this former working class district. This includes drum bands, children’s festival, opera and cabaret and a boules competition. https://www.jordaanfestival.nl/
Oktober
– Amsterdam Dance Event
ADE’s festival program covers the whole spectrum of electronic subgenres, with over 2,200 artists performing in 120 of Amsterdam’s finest music and nightlife spaces. In 2016 the festival attracted 375,000 festival visitors from around the globe, which makes it the world’s biggest club festival. https://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/
