Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival

1 - 30 April

There are more than 70 screenings during the festival including a variety of film genres from around the world, most of them Dutch premieres or one-off presentations. 

Queen's Day, Amsterdam

29 - 30 April

Carnival floats, parades, street theatre, fireworks, DJ music and a decorated canal boat are among the treats during the Queens Day with the dancing and the fun. There are also massive flea market along the streets that suit to bargain hunters.

Aqua Musica Festival

1 May - 31 July

The Aqua music festival is a unique festival where small ensemble music concerts are given on board at anchor in the Oosterdok. Packages are available which include lunch or supper on board, along with the concert.

Amsterdam Literary Festival

1 - 31 May

The festival features talk by authors together with workshop, a literary tour, hi-tea and a closing party with live music and entertainment. Besides that, check out the books and headlines appearances by writers from abroad

Holland Festival

1 - 30 June

Amsterdam's annual June festival includes opera, theatre, music and dance performed at a dozen venues throughout the city. About 90 performances take place during the four weeks of the festival.

PINKster Tennis Tournament

2 - 5 June

Considered the biggest gay and lesbian tennis tournament in the world, this event draws hundreds of competitors - and thousands of spectators from around Europe to the clay courts of Amsterdam.

Julidans

1 June - 31 July

Amsterdam's annual summer dance festival, this event has top performances from international artists brightening up the city in various venues for two weeks in the middle of summer.

Dance Valley Festival

July (tba)

Currently considered the biggest open-air dance music festival in the country and just possibly the best in Europe, thousands come every year to the Spaarnwoude Recreation Ground just outside Amsterdam to get their groove on.

Vondelpark Summer

June - August

Another popular summer festival, this is one you can bring your kids to - there's free theatre, cabaret, concerts, dance and entertainment and more, all held in the massive Vondelpark.

Kwakoe Festival

1 July - 31 August

The popular Kwakoe Festival is Amsterdam's biggest multicultural festival and the main festive event of the Surinamese black and African community. The programme includes live music, dancing, film screenings, sports, informative events, discussions and many varieties of ethnic food.

Waterval Festival

1 August - 30 September

The popular Kwakoe Festival is Amsterdam's biggest multicultural festival and the main festive event of the Surinamese black and African community. The programme includes live music, dancing, film screenings, sports, informative events, discussions and many varieties of ethnic food.

Amsterdam Pride

1 - 31 August

THE biggest gay and lesbian festival in Europe, bar none. Make sure not to miss the Canal Parade, when more than 80 over-the-top floats sail through the city canals!

Amsterdam Canal Festival

August (tba)

Classical music concerts take place along two main city canals for five days, culminating in the famous Prinsengracht concert

National Heritage Days

13 - 14 September

A very European tradition, during this event many of the city's major monuments throw open their doors to the public, free of charge and often with guided tours to boot.

Dam tot Damloop

1 - 30 September

More than 20,000 runners and a whole heap of spectators turn up along the route from Dam Square to the centre of the Zaandam to celebrate Amsterdam's most popular running event.

Amsterdam Marathon

1 - 31 October

More running, more cheering and even more people in the city's biggest and most trying running event.

Amsterdam Sinterklaas Procession

November (tba)

Sinterklaas - the local version of Santa Claus - makes a grand entrance in a parade every year, together with floats, bands, and a huge crowds of cheering onlookers.