Festivals
On Amsterdam Now you'll find an up-to-date list of festivals in Amsterdam - from large electronic music festivals and cultural events to street parties and classical music on the water. The festival season runs throughout the year, peaking in the summer months. Amsterdam festivals thus cover one of the most diverse categories in the city. For an up-to-date list of dates and tickets, see the Amsterdam calendar on AmsterdamNow.
Electronic music
Most of Amsterdam's festival landscape revolves around electronic music. Techno, house, drum & bass and experimental electronica all have a permanent place in the annual calendar. Amsterdam Dance Event - with 500,000 visitors spread over more than 1,000 events at nearly 200 venues - is one of the largest electronic music gatherings in the world. Dekmantel, DGTL and Loveland are other established names in this segment. For a current overview of parties and lineups, see also parties Amsterdam on AmsterdamNow.
King's Day and street parties
Kings Day on April 27 is the city's largest recurring street party. Squares, parks and canals fill with free markets, parties and live music. Several festivals also operate around Kings Day, scattered throughout the city and surrounding areas. Liberation Day on May 5 has its own festival circuit, with stages at various locations throughout Amsterdam.
Culture and performing arts
The Holland Festival is the largest performing arts festival in the Netherlands, running virtually the entire month of June with theater, dance, opera, music and film. The Grachtenfestival brings classical music and jazz to the city's canals, courtyards and churches - with concerts on floating stages and in historic buildings. For more information on cultural events, see art and culture Amsterdam on AmsterdamNow.
Diversity and community
Milkshake Festival, taking place during Queer & Pride Amsterdam, combines dance, performance and a clear message about freedom and inclusivity. The Kwaku Summer Festival in Nelson Mandela Park brings together Afro-Caribbean music, food and culture for several weekends. With that, Amsterdam also has a strong array of festivals rooted in specific communities and cultural traditions.
Practical
Most Amsterdam festivals require a ticket, which is often cheaper in presale than at the door. Some of the larger events sell out quickly - especially for Koningsdag and the larger electronic festivals. The full list of festivals in Amsterdam, including dates and ticket info, can be found via the Amsterdam calendar on Amsterdam Now.