Amsterdam - Regular Events
Ice-skating rink at the Museumplein
Every year from December to March the city creates an outdoor ice-skating rink at the Museumplein. A favourite with locals the rink is free of charge and is open late into the night when it is stunningly lit up.
Kleinkunst Festival
The annual Kleinkunst Festival is a celebration of Dutch cabaret and music that has been running for 23 years. Held at various locations around the city, the festival focuses on coaching fresh talent and is the best place to see the up and coming stars.
The Imagine Film Festival
The Imagine Film Festival is in its 26th year and celebrates those genres needing “imagination”: fantasy, science fiction, horror, thriller and animation. Not only are there film screenings but master classes, symposiums and interviews that the organisers hope will help people understand more about the industry.
Dutch equestrian event
The top Dutch equestrian event is held in Amsterdam at the end of January each year. Jumping Amsterdam combines dressage, jumping and shows in a family friendly environment. Held at Amsterdam’s international exhibition centre, several hotels offer special deals for visitors to the event.
Ice-skating rink at the Museumplein
Every year from December to March the city creates an outdoor ice-skating rink at the Museumplein. A favourite with locals the rink is free of charge and is open late into the night when it is stunningly lit up.
Kleinkunst Festival
The annual Kleinkunst Festival is a celebration of Dutch cabaret and music that has been running for 23 years. Held at various locations around the city, the festival focuses on coaching fresh talent and is the best place to see the up and coming stars.
The Imagine Film Festival
The Imagine Film Festival is in its 26th year and celebrates those genres needing “imagination”: fantasy, science fiction, horror, thriller and animation. Not only are there film screenings but master classes, symposiums and interviews that the organisers hope will help people understand more about the industry.
Amsterdam Comedy Festival
Drawing both local talent and international stars is the Amsterdam Comedy Festival, held every year in the Melkweg, a former dairy. Over two nights more than 40 shows are performed to entertain the growing numbers of visitors.
Food festival
Over four days, eighteen of Amsterdam’s finest restaurants prepare their best dishes in an effort to lure customers into their venues. Watch live food demonstrations and improve your cooking techniques, get involved in wine tasting events or simply wander round the fantastic food market.
Kwakoe
Every weekend in July and August the city’s most colourful event Kwakoe takes place. The festival’s agenda is to promote cultural understanding and acceptance by inviting people to participate in discussions and debates and watch theatre and musical performances, amongst other highlights.
Grachtenfestival
One of the most popular festivals in Amsterdam’s calendar is the Grachtenfestival, a week long celebration of classical music. With concerts located in unusual and unique venues, the festival culminates in the Prinsengracht canal where hundreds of boats squeeze together and people on foot pack the narrow bridges and footpaths to listen to the concert.
Free attractions
Every second weekend in September since 1987, dozens of historical and monumental buildings in Amsterdam are open to the public free of charge. Many only open their doors on this special “open monument” weekend which is a well established part of the Dutch cultural calendar.
PINT Bokbierfestival
Holland is internationally renowned for the quality of its beer and Amsterdam hosts the annual PINT Bokbierfestival showcasing the best of Dutch brewing. A must for beer enthusiasts the three day event includes beer tastings, opportunities to meet the brewers and live musical entertainment.