Updated 19 September 2026
Amsterdam has a fixed rhythm of annual events. Some fall on a fixed date, others move from year to year. Below are the recurring highlights. Where the organisers have already announced dates for the coming season they are included; otherwise only the usual period is given.
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| April | World Press Photo: world premiere of the annual exhibition (2026: from 24 April) | Nieuwe Kerk, Dam Square |
| 27 April (26 April when 27 April is a Sunday) | King's Day, with street markets across the city and crowded canals | Whole city |
| 4 May | National Remembrance | Dam Square |
| June | Holland Festival: theatre, music, dance and music theatre | Various venues |
| 1 July | Keti Koti: commemoration and celebration of the abolition of slavery | Oosterpark and elsewhere |
| Late July and early August | Pride Amsterdam with the Canal Parade (2027: 31 July to 8 August) | Canals and whole city |
| August | Grachtenfestival: classical music and jazz (2027: 13 to 22 August) | Whole city |
| Second weekend of September | Open Monumentendag, heritage open days | Whole city |
| October | Cinekid, festival of film and media for children (2026: 10 to 25 October) | Various venues |
| October | Amsterdam Dance Event (2026: 21 to 25 October) | Clubs and venues |
| First Saturday of November | Museum Night (2026: 7 November) | Museums across the city |
| November | IDFA, documentary festival (2026: 12 to 22 November) | Cinemas and venues |
| Late November to mid-January | Amsterdam Light Festival: light art along the canals | City centre |
Spring
The cultural year starts in April with the World Press Photo exhibition in the Nieuwe Kerk. King's Day follows on 27 April, the busiest day of the year in the city centre. Goods are sold on the streets everywhere, the canals fill with boats and there is music in parks and squares. A week later, on 4 May, the National Remembrance takes place on Dam Square, a solemn moment in sharp contrast with the crowds of King's Day.
Summer
In June the Holland Festival fills the city's stages with international theatre, music, dance and music theatre. The festival has existed since 1947. On 1 July, Keti Koti commemorates and celebrates the abolition of slavery; the Oosterpark, home since 2002 to the National Slavery Monument, is the central place for this in Amsterdam. Pride Amsterdam follows in early August. In 2026 Amsterdam hosted WorldPride; the regular Pride edition of 2027 is scheduled from 31 July to 8 August. August also brings the Grachtenfestival, ten days of classical music and jazz at locations across the city, with plenty of room for young talent.
Autumn
On the second weekend of September, Open Monumentendag opens buildings that are normally closed. October belongs to Cinekid and the Amsterdam Dance Event, which has taken place every October since 1996 and marks its thirtieth year in 2026. On the first Saturday of November the museums hold their Museum Night, with evening programmes late into the night. IDFA follows, one of the largest documentary festivals in the world. More on club culture is in the nightlife section, and more on the film festivals in photography and film.
Winter
From late November to mid-January the Amsterdam Light Festival shows light artworks along the canals in the city centre. The fourteenth edition ran from 27 November 2025 to 18 January 2026; dates for the next edition had not been announced when this overview was written. The artworks can be seen from the quays or from the water.
For current information, tickets and exact programmes, the organisers' own websites are the reference. Dates may change.
Source: IDFA