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entry you’ll need to book in advance either at the club itself or at record stores. The next day sees the city’s streets and canals lined with people, most of whom are dressed in ridiculous costumes (not surprisingly, Queen’s Day is one of the most flamboyant events on the gay calendar as well). Anything goes, especially if it’s orange – the Dutch national colour. A fair is held in Dam Square, and music blasts continuously from huge sound systems set up across most of the major squares. This is also the one day of the year when goods can be bought and sold tax-free to anyone on the streets, and numerous stalls are set up in front of people’s houses.

Queen’s Day

Festivals and events |

May

Herdenkingsdag (Remembrance Day) May 4 www.4en5mei.nl. There’s a wreath-laying ceremony and a two-minute silence at the National Monument in Dam Square, commemorating the Dutch dead of World War II, as well as a smaller event at the Homomonument in Westermarkt in honour of the country’s gay soldiers who died in the conflict.

Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day) May 5 www.4en5mei.nl. The country celebrates the 1945 liberation from Nazi occupation with bands, speeches and impromptu markets around the city.

National Windmill Day Second Saturday. On this day over half the country’s remaining windmills and watermills, indicated by blue flags, are opened to the public free of charge. Contact Vereniging De Hollandsche Molen (020/623 8703, www.molens.nl) or the VVV for further details.

Art Amsterdam (former KunstRai) Second week www.artamsterdam.nl. Metro Rai or tram #4. The city’s annual mainstream contemporary arts fair, held in the RAI conference space south of the centre, featuring works from over 120 galleries. Entry costs €20. A less commercial alternative is the Kunstvlaai (www.kunstvlaai.nl) at the Westergasfabriek, usually held the week before or after Art Amsterdam.

Festivals and events |

June

Open Garden Days Third weekend www.opentuinendagen.nl. Three-day event which sees some thirty private gardens – usually arranged around a particular theme – open their gates to the public. Gardens are open 10am–5pm and there’s a canal boat to take you around. Tickets €15.

Amsterdam Roots Festival Third Sunday www.amsterdamroots.nl. Tram #3, #7 or #9 from CS. Free open-air concert in Oosterpark with stalls, workshops and a parade that opens a week-long world music and film festival, with over sixty acts performing in the Concertgebouw, Melkweg, Paradiso and Tropentheater.

Holland Festival Throughout June www.hollandfestival.nl. The largest music, dance and drama event in the Netherlands, aimed at making the dramatic arts more accessible. Showcasing around forty productions, from theatre and dance to music and opera, at various venues around the city, it features a mix of established and new talent.

International Theatre School Festival Third or last week www.itsfestival.nl. Ten-day programme of events showcasing aspiring actors, dancers, musicians and opera singers in theatres on Nes, off Dam Square, culminating in an award night with a prize presented to the most promising director.

Vondelpark Open-Air Theatre (Openluchttheater) June–Aug www.openluchttheater.nl. Free theatre, dance and music performances throughout the summer, Wed–Sun only, with anything from jazz and classical concerts through to stand-up comedy.

Festivals and events |

July

Julidans First half of July www.julidans.nl. Twelve-day festival dedicated to contemporary dance, hosting both renowned and up-and-coming choreographers. Held at numerous locations around the Leidseplein, with the Stadsschouwburg as its main focus.

Kwakoe Zomer Festival Weekends only throughout July and August www.kwakoe.nl. Metro Bijlmer. A Surinamese and Antillian festival held in Bijlmerpark, close to the Amsterdam ArenA in the southeastern suburbs, featuring music, workshops, dance acts and stand-up comedy. In the middle of the festival there’s a football competition between several teams. Caribbean delicacies such as roti and Surinamese bakabana, baked banana with peanut sauce, are widely