Arts and Entertainment

Beurs va Berlage

Damrak 243 521-7500

Buses 4,9,14,16,20,24,25.

Home of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, located in the former stock exchange.

Concertgebouw

Concertebouwplein 2-6

671-8345

Tram: 3,5,12,16,20

Home of the famed Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Its main hall is considered to be one of the world’s acoustically perfect concert halls. Free concerts on Wednesdays at 12:30.

De Ijsbreker

Weesperzijde 23

Tram: 3,6,7,10,20.

The place for contemporary, electronic, experimental, cutting edge music.

Muziektheater

Amstel 1-3

625-5455

Subway: Waterlooplein

Tram: 9,14,20

Home of the Netherlands Opera and National Ballet, and Amsterdam venue for performances by the Hague’s highly regarded Netherlands Dance Theater.

Events

January/February

Rotterdam International Film Festival

Amsterdam Pre-Lenten Carnival and parade

Antiques Fair - Nieuwe Kerk, Dam Square

March

Amsterdam Art Week - held in the city's theatres and concert halls

Late March: The gardens at Lisse open for the season as tulips and other spring flowers bloom.

April

National Museum Weekend (mid-month). Museums offer free or reduced-price admission.

World Press Photo Awards (mid-month) Amsterdam based annual photojournalism prizes and exhibitions.

Haarlem Blomencorso (last Saturday in April): Tulip season procession from Noordwijk to Haarlem

Koninginnedag (April 30) The Queen Beatrix’s Birthday celebration with massive street parties and free markets.

May

Herdenkingsdag (World War II Remembrance Day) May 4. Two minute silence at 8PM.

Bevrijdingsdag (May 5) Liberation Day celebrations.

National Cycling and Windmill Day (2^nd Saturday). Windmills open to the public.

Vlaggetjesdag (last Saturday) Flag Day fishing boat race at Scheveningen.

June

The Netherlands Festival of Dance, Music and Drama, Amsterdam

Amsterdam Canal Race

June to August

Vondelpark Open-Air Theatre

Zomerfestijn Summer Festival

August

Amsterdam Football Tournament

Prinsengracht Canal Concert

Uitmarkt - music and theatrical performances - Vondelpark

September

Bloemencorso 1st Saturday - Amsterdam Flower Pageant and parade.

Jordan Festival

October

Indoor equestrian event

November

Sinterklaas St. Nicholas' Entrance Parade - launches the Christmas season on the third Saturday of the month.

December

December 5 – Pakjesavond: Saint Nicholas' Eve. Traditional day for exchanging Christmas gifts

Oudejaarsavond: Partying in the streets and fireworks on December 31 to bring in the New Year.