Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [170]
Festivals and events |
August
De Parade First two weeks www.deparade.nl. Tram #25 from CS. An excellent sixteen-day travelling theatrical fair, which puts on a host of short, independent performances, ranging from cabaret to theatre, given in or in front of artists’ tents. Held in the Martin Luther King park, next to the River Amstel, with special kid-friendly performances in the afternoon.
Amsterdam Pride First or second weekend www.amsterdampride.nl. The city’s gay community celebrates, with street parties and performances held along the Amstel, Warmoesstraat and Reguliersdwarsstraat. The Canal Parade takes place on the 2pm and Saturday between 2–6pm, a flotilla of up to 75 boats cruising along the Prinsengracht, watched by over 350,000 people.
Grachtenfestival Starts second or third weekend www.grachtenfestival.nl. For nine days international musicians perform at over ninety classical music events at historical locations around the three main canals, as well as the River IJ. Includes the Prinsengracht Concert, one of the world’s most prestigious free open-air concerts, held opposite the Pulitzer hotel.
Uitmarkt Last weekend www.uitmarkt.nl. Every cultural organization in the city, from opera to dance, advertises its forthcoming programme of events during this weekend, with free preview performances held over three days around Dam Square, Waterlooplein and Nieuwmarkt.
Festivals and events |
September
Open Monument Day Second weekend www.openmonumentendag.nl. For two days monuments throughout the Netherlands that are normally closed or have restricted opening times throw open their doors to the public for free.
Jordaan Festival Second or third weekend www.jordaanfestival.nl. A three-day street festival in the Jordaan. There’s a commercial fair on Palmgracht, talent contests on Elandsgracht, a few street parties and a culinary fair on the Sunday afternoon at the Noordermarkt.
Festivals and events |
October
Amsterdam City Marathon Usually third Sunday www.amsterdammarathon.nl. A 42-kilometre course around Amsterdam starting at and finishing inside the Olympic Stadium, passing through the old city centre along the way.
Amsterdam Dance Event Late Oct www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl. A four-day club festival, hosting hundreds of national and international DJs taking over every dance venue in the city. Also a conference for turntable professionals. Tickets for all events have to be purchased separately and tend to sell out quickly.
Festivals and events |
November
Museum Night First Saturday www.n8.nl. Around forty museums open their doors to the public from 7pm to 2am, with various events put on, accompanied by DJs and music. Tickets €20.
Parade of Sint Nicolaas Second or third Sunday. The traditional parade of Sinterklaas (Santa Claus) through the city on his white horse. Starting from behind Centraal Station where he arrives by steam boat, he proceeds down the Damrak towards Rembrandtplein, accompanied by his helpers the Zwarte Pieten (“Black Peters”) – so called because of their blackened faces – who hand out sweets and little presents. It all finishes in Leidseplein on the balcony of the Stadsschouwburg.
International Documentary Film Festival Mid- to late Nov www.idfa.nl. The world’s largest documentary festival held over ten days in the Tuschinski and De Munt showing around 250 domestic and international documentaries.
Cannabis Cup Late Nov www.hightimes.com. Five-day “harvest festival” organized by High Times magazine with seminars, tours and music events held at the Powerzone, which also hosts a competition to find the best cultivated seed. Judging is open to the general public, but a judge pass is pricey (€250).
Festivals and events |
December
Pakjesavond (Present Evening) Dec 5. Though it tends to be a private affair, Pakjesavond, rather than Christmas Day, is when Dutch kids receive their Christmas presents. If you’re in the city on that day and have Dutch friends, it’s worth knowing that it’s traditional to give a present together with an amusing