Pride Amsterdam – July 27 – August 4

One of our favorite parties of the year! Taking place from July 27th to August 4th, 2024, the Pride features over 300 activities. We’ve written the ultimate guide for Pride Amsterdam, so you know exactly where to go and when! 🙂

Vroeg Pieken, PINK Edition – July 26

From 20:00 to 00:30 you can dance to the best songs and expect lots of pink and glitter. This time, it’s an outdoor edition where the Westergas area will be transformed into a Vroeg Pieken silent disco. It’s going to be a lot of fun! 

If the weather isn’t so summery, the event will be moved indoors. Tickets are € 19.50 and you can get them here!

Keti Koti Festival – July 1

The National commemoration and celebration of the end of the slavery. Expect one big party with 3 stages, 100+ food and non-food stands, free entry.

• From 11:00-12:00, a fun and colorful parade in traditional clothing to commemorate and celebrate the abolition of slavery. Route: Waterlooplein – Oosterpark
• From 13:00 – 14:30, Commemoration at the Slavery Monument – Oosterpark
• From 13:00 – 23:00, celebration festival – Museumplein 

TREK Festival – July 5 – 7

Enjoy lots of delicious food, drinks, theater, live music, nostalgic attractions, and much more at this huge open air restaurant at Amstelpark. 

Friday 16:00 PM – 23:00 PM

Saturday 14:00 PM – 23:00 PM

Sunday 14:00 PM – 21:00 PM

Neighborhood Beer Festival – July 13

A local beer festival at the Maasstraat featuring breweries such as Frontaal, Brouwerij de Hoop, Brouwerij ‘t IJ, Naeckte Brouwerij, Homeland, and Friekens Brouwerij. Will be fun!

Free entry, 12:00 – 20:00, Maasstraat 70

The Big Sangria Party – July 19

Enjoy pitchers of sangria, great music from their DJs, and lots of fun all evening long. Of course, they have food available throughout the evening.

Location: Vergulden Eenhoorn from 16:00, free entry

Biggest Flea Market of Europe – July 20 & 21 

Shop till you drop at the Ijhallen! 750+ stands from 09:00-16:30, entry is € 6, location is NDSM. 

Terrace concerts at the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ

Every Friday and Saturday evening you can enjoy drinks or dinner while sitting by the water as the sun sets while listening to high quality live concerts. More info here.

Kwaku Summer Festival – July 13 until August 4

This multicultural festival is a favorite of every Amsterdammer! Every summer, for four weekends, Nelson Mandela Park in Amsterdam Zuidoost is filled with culture, music, dance, food, and drinks. 

On Sunday, July 21, Kwaku turns pink. Pink Sunday is known as one of the most extravagant day of the Kwaku Summer Festival. It’s part of Queer & Pride Amsterdam.

Vondelpark Open Air Theatre – Free Entry

Very popular and beloved among Amsterdammers and visitors! From June to September, there is a big program every weekend (from Friday to Sunday) with something for everyone. Enjoy music, comedy, family theater, dance, and classical music, famous artists and new talent. All shows are free, but donations during your visit are very welcome of course.

Check out the program here!

ARTIS Summer Nights

Every Saturday, ARTIS Park is open until sunset for the summer nights. From 16:00 you can enjoy music and food trucks, picnic baskets, coziness, and of course animals. It’s a really fun activity, we love to come here! Tickets € 17.

Summer Jazz in H’ART Museum

Enjoy a series of jazz concerts with young talent in the sunny courtyard of the museum.

• Sunday July 14 16:00 PM – 7:00 PM 
• Sunday July 21 16:00 PM – 7:00 PM 
• Sunday July 28 16:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Pride Walk – July 20

The Pride Walk Amsterdam is about showing yourself, being yourself and being proud of yourself. The Pride Walk starts at Dam Square at 11:00 and ends at Museumplein where the Queer Fest takes place afterwards. Route: Dam Square, Mozes en Aaronstraat – Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal – Raadhuisstraat – Rozengracht – Marnixstraat – Leidseplein – Weteringschans – Museumbrug –  Museumplein.

Outdoor Movie Nights

Oh, this is one of our summer favorites! Enjoy a good movie at unique locations around the city.

Check out the program of Cityscape Cinema here (several locations)

Check out the program of Pllek here, every Tuesday

Even more Amsterdam Tips

Fun Activities 

• Rent Your Own Boat Amsterdam: What’s better than cruising the canals yourself with friends/family? Book your boat here →
• Wine Tasting in a Speakeasy Wine Cellar: The sommelier guides you through a curated selection of 5 wines, all sourced from local winemakers. Book your tasting here →
• 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 →
• Join a Cocktail Course: Attend a 2-hour masterclass with a professional bartender and learn all about mixology. Book your course here →

Art & Culture

• Moco Museum Amsterdam: Visit the first Banksy exhibition ever in a museum and see classics like Love Is In The Air, Barcode, Girl with Balloon, and the rarely seen, larger-than-life Beanfield. Perfect for the weekend! Book your visit here →
• Fabrique des Lumières, Immersive Experience: From Vermeer to Van Gogh, it’s truly amazing to see their art come to life! Book your tickets here →
• Museum of the Canals: Explore the story of the Amsterdam canals in a grand house on the historic Herengracht. Even as locals we love to visit museums like this & learn more about our city. Book your tickets here →
• Wereldmuseum: Check out their new exhibitions, which change very frequently. Learn about African, Asian, New Guinean, and Latin American culture. View Fascinating artworks and objects that illustrate life across the world. Book your tickets → 
• Foam Photography Museum: The exhibition features art focusing on social issues and personal identity. Using different types of art, these artists make us think about how our personal identity connects with the bigger story of society. Book your tickets here →

Weekend Day Trips – Explore the Rest of The Netherlands

• Giethoorn: Even if you’re a local, you must visit this place, Venice of the Netherlands! This picturesque village, famous for its waterways and beautiful houses, makes for a fantastic day out. Rent a boat here →
• Volendam: One of our favorite day trips! Explore Volendam and its surrounding fishing villages, eat a harring and take a cruise across the Gouwzee. Book your cruise here →
• Brugge: A beautiful city in Belgium famous for its old buildings, canals, and cobblestone streets. See the historic buildings and try delicious Belgian chocolates, take a boat tour on the canals or walk around the city. Book here →
• Markermeer Sailing Trip: Go on a magical private sailing trip on a seaworthy yacht with a group of up to 12 people. Book your sailing trip here →
• Laren: Such a charming village, located in the Gooi region. Explore its stunning streets lined with beautiful old houses, enjoy the vibrant art galleries and boutiques. And don’t forget to pay a visit to the Singer Laren Museum. Book your tickets here →
• Seal Safari Wadden Sea: Explore the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while searching for seals and migratory birds. Book your safari here →

You may also like to check out our list of newly opened restaurants! We update it every month. On Wednesdays we always post a Weekend Guide full of tips, parties, events and more. Follow us on Tiktok or Instagram and keep an eye out!