Our guide is updated at the start of every month, packed with the best events. Explore the best of Amsterdam with insider tips and recommendations. Whether you’re planning your weekend or looking to fill your calendar, let our monthly roundup help you make the most of everything Amsterdam has to offer!
What’s Happening in Amsterdam in October 2025?
Fall is here, which means we’re moving indoors a little more – but still making the most of every outdoor moment! And what better way to do that than with the last festivals of the season during Amsterdam Dance Event? Besides that, we’ve got plenty of new exhibitions, workshops, fashion pop-ups & more to keep you inspired this month!
Check out the best things to do in October in Amsterdam here!
- Closet Pop-Up – October 10 & 11
- ADE Guide – October 22 – 26
- Bols Cocktail Experience – Ongoing
- The Amsterdam Marathon – October 19
- Exhibition Artus Quellinus at the Royal Palace – Until October 27
- Ron Gastro Oriental Pop-Up – Oct 27 – Nov 16
- Claude Monet – A new Immersive Exhibition @ Fabrique des Lumières
- National Brown Café Day (Bruine kroegen dag) – October 4
- Sip & Paint in the Dark @ Rembrandt van Wine
- Markets October Amsterdam
- Newest Restaurants in Amsterdam
- Even more Amsterdam Tips
Closet Pop-Up – October 10 & 11
Closet is all about giving small, local brands a stage from handmade goods to unique, high-quality designs that you won’t find anywhere else. And now they’re hosting a special pop-up full of local treasures, cool workshops, live music & more.
Workshops on October 11:
- 11:00-12:00 Workshop: Make your own scrunchie – free (registration needed)
- 12:00-13:00 Workshop: Make your own scrunchie – free (walk in or register to secure your spot)
- 15:45-16:15 Workshop: DIY Bag charm – free (walk in or register to secure your spot)
- 19:00-20:00 Pop Quiz: How much to you know about Sustainable Fashion? – free (registration needed)
October 10 & 11, 12:00 – 19:00 @ Tweede Hugo de Grootstraat 27, free entry
ADE Guide – October 22 – 26
- Awakenings Hard Openings Night – October 22, from 23:00 @ Sugar Factory
- Verknipt Openings Party – October 22, from 22:00 @ AFAS Live
- KI/KI presents 5 Hours – October 23, from 17:00 @ Hemkade
- Audio Obscura ADE x Hangar – October 23, from 22:00 @ RAW Factory
- DGTL – October 23 from 23:00 @ NDSM Warehouse
- Loveland pres. Mahmut Orhan & Friends – October 23, from 23:30 @ Theater Amsterdam
- Argy – October 24 from 13:30 @ The Loft
- Mystic Garden Festival + Dockyard October 25 – from 12:00 @ Havenpark
- Into the Woods – October 24 + 25 from 13:00 @ NDSM
- Zeezout – October 25 + 26 from 14:00 @ Het Rijk van de Keizer
- The Gardens of Babylon – October 25 from 14:00 @ WestWeelde
- Bottleshop Soundsystem – October 26 from 13:00 @ Bottleshop
Bols Cocktail Experience – Ongoing
Since 1575, Bols has been distilling liqueurs and genever right here in Amsterdam, making it the world’s oldest cocktail brand with nearly 450 years of history. Learn everything about them during the Bols Cocktail Experience. Explore interactieve rooms, learn the six steps to mastering the perfect drink at the Cocktail Experience Room and finish in style at the dazzling Mirror Bar.
Want to get behind the bar yourself? Book a cocktail workshop and learn to shake like a pro
The Amsterdam Marathon – October 19
This year the Amsterdam Marathon will celebrate its 50th anniversary, in the same year that the city of Amsterdam marks its 750th birthday. The route is one of the most beautiful in the world if you ask us: start and finish in the iconic Olympic Stadium, pass under the Rijksmuseum, wind through the Vondelpark and run alongside the Amstel river.
Want to cheer on the runners? Some of the best spectator spots are:
- Olympic Stadium – perfect for both the start and finish moments
- Stadhouderskade / Rijksmuseum area – runners pass right by the museum
- Vondelpark – twice in the loop for full-marathoners
- Along the Amstel stretch – quieter, scenic, with room to move and support runners mid-race
Start at 09:00 until 17:00.
Exhibition Artus Quellinus at the Royal Palace – Until October 27
Last chance to see the once-in-a-lifetime exhibition at the Royal Palace (Paleis op de Dam) on Dam Square! Artus Quellinius is the sculptor behind all those stunning statues in the palace, and for Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary, over 100 of his masterpieces have been brought together from across the world in his ultimate work: the palace itself. Some even lifted straight out of churches and even museum rooftops. This is the first (and probably last) time you’ll see his work reunited in such a way.
Bonus tip: October is drawing month at the Palace! Every weekend (and during autumn break) you can join a drawing session with a coach and discover the details of Quellinus’s sculptures in a whole new way.
Ron Gastro Oriental Pop-Up – Oct 27 – Nov 16
Oriental makes a memorable comeback! Enjoy delicious dim sum, Peking duck, and more. In addition to the regular dinners, they’ve put together a fun party agenda:
- Café Nol Amsterdam Party Night | October 30
- Chef Ron Blaauw | Guest Chef | November 6
- Chef Agus | Guest Chef | November 12
- DimSunday Lunch | November 16
Claude Monet – A new Immersive Exhibition @ Fabrique des Lumières
Experience the life & work of the French painter up close, in an immersive, sensory experience! He’s the master of Impressionism, and it’s amazing to see his art brought to life!
National Brown Café Day (Bruine kroegen dag) – October 4
Celebrate Amsterdam’s beloved brown cafés on National Brown Café Day! These cozy pubs, with their wooden interiors, stained-glass windows, and lovely vibe are an important part of our culture. It’s the perfect chance to go to your favorite local pub or discover a new one! Some of our fav’s:
- Café ‘t Papeneiland
- Café Thijssen
- Cafe Slijterij Oosterling
- Café Brandon
- In ‘t Aepjen
- Café de Druif
- Café Chris
- Café Lowietje
- Café Lomans
Sip & Paint in the Dark @ Rembrandt van Wine
The perfect fall activity if you ask us! You’ll get creative with neon paints, black lights, unlimited delicious drinks, and the glow of disco balls all while enjoying good company during this two-hour workshop. The best part? No experience is needed. You can follow your own creativity or work from an example. The playlist was one of our favorites too! And of course, you get to take your artwork home with you.
Book your Sip & Paint workshop here!
Markets October Amsterdam
- Sunday Market @ Westergas, October 5
- Vinyl market @ De Hallen, October 5
- IJhallen biggest flea market @ NDSM, October 11 & 12
- Pure Market @ Amsterdamse Bos, October 5
- Pure Market @ Amstelpark, October 12
- Pure Market @ Park Frankendael, October 26
Newest Restaurants in Amsterdam
Of course, a great restaurant can’t be missing from the list of monthly activities. And what could be more fun than trying one of Amsterdam’s newest spots? As you know, we love keeping lists, and that includes a list of Restaurants that recently opened in Amsterdam—and there are quite a few! Check them out here.
Even more Amsterdam Tips
Art & Culture
Fun Activities
- Dining in The Dark: Enjoy a three, four, or five-course dining experience that takes place entirely in the dark. Book your spot here →
- 2-Hour Private Karaoke Session: Book a private karaoke booth for up to 10 people for a super fun night out! Book your spot here →
- 80’s Roller Skating Rink: Go back to the ’80s with a stunning decor and the best ’80s music. Spend a fun and active day out skating with friends and family in the rink. Book your spot here →
- Visit House of Bols: Bols Cocktail Experience takes you through the history of Genever and liqueur, unveiling the secrets behind the craft of distillation that has been practiced for over 400 years by Lucas Bols, the world’s oldest distilled spirit brand. Book your experience here →
- Wine Tasting with Experienced Sommelier: The sommelier guides you through a curated selection of 5 wines, all sourced from local winemakers. Book your tasting here →
Weekend Day Trips – Explore the Rest of The Netherlands
You may also like to check out our list of newly opened restaurants! We update it every month. Follow us on Tiktok or Instagram. On our Social Media Channels we always post even more content of find out about the best tips, parties, events and more.
