Cultural tips for Amsterdam this summer

Holland Festival

Holland Festival is a sweeping performing arts festival that’s been a breeding ground for global artists since its postwar beginnings. Showcasing a diverse range of work by artists, choreographers, theatre-makers, musicians and writers, the Holland Festival is just as much about sharing experiences as it is about the performances themselves. From its first edition in 1948, when it presented Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande in Amsterdam’s Stadsschouwburg, to today, the Holland Festival has evolved into a wide-reaching celebration of performance in all its forms, encompassing the best of theatre, music, dance, film, opera and debate. Featuring work by artists from around the world and spanning beloved venues across the city, the Holland Festival has helped to establish the Netherlands as an incubator for international talent in the arts.

Holland Festival | 11 - 29 June 2025, various locations

Summer Dance Forever

International dance festival Summer Dance Forever returns to Paradiso for a riotous celebration of hip-hop moves. Dancers from all over the world land for this week-long event that covers everything from dance battles on the atmospheric Paradiso stage to workshops on European hip-hop and curated club nights. Grab your comfiest sneakers for what’s bound to be a high-energy and exhilarating few days. 

Summer Dance Forever | 19 - 25 August 2025, Paradiso

De Parade

Travelling theatre festival De Parade brightens the banks of the Amstel river once again this summer. With its lively carnivalesque atmosphere and mix of performance, music and delicious food trucks, a night at De Parade’s whimsical fairground is nothing short of a perfect summer evening.

De Parade | 25 July - 10 August 2025, Martin Luther King Park

Kwaku Summer Festival

Zuidoost staple Kwaku enters its eighth edition for a riotous celebration of culture, food and sport. What began as a small, local football tournament has evolved into one of the country’s largest festivals, though the football tournament still makes up a crucial part of the event’s distinct flavour. Celebrating the richness and diversity of Zuidoost in Amsterdam, its signature blend of culture, music, food, football and dance emerged from the culture of the city’s Afro-Caribbean diaspora. The festival is held in Nelson Mandelapark across four weekends, welcoming over 300,000 visitors. On its final Sunday, Kwaku goes Pink as part of Amsterdam Pride.

Kwaku Summer Festival | 12 July - 3 August 2025, Nelson Mandela Park

Vondelpark Open Air Theatre

This beloved Amsterdam institution returns with another diverse program of cultural events all summer long. Across May, June, July and August, this intimate stage smack-bang in the middle of the city’s popular Vondelpark will host everything from laugh-out-loud comedy and captivating dance and song, to children’s theatre and cabaret. Bring the whole family along to experience the magic of performance in the city’s green heart.

Vondelpark Open Air Theatre | May - August 2025, Vondelpark

Grachtenfestival

With Amsterdam’s iconic canal belt as its backdrop, the 10-day Grachtenfestival spotlights the best of classical and jazz, performed in extraordinary locations. Watch an intimate string quartet inside a historic canal house, or groove along to a jazz performance on a pontoon floating over the city’s idyllic canals. As the country’s primary platform for emerging talent in classical and jazz music, the Grachtenfestival does what Amsterdam does best: blending tradition with innovation. 

Grachtenfestival | 15 – 24 August 2025, various locations

Pride Amsterdam

Experience the magic of city-wide parties during Pride Week Amsterdam. This week-long celebration, which marks the city’s longstanding reputation as a hub for queer acceptance and culture, culminates on Saturday 2 August with the famed Canal Parade. Take part in the street parties that crop up on virtually every corner, as well as a host of free organised events including Over the Rainbow, a free two-day event at Museumplein organised by IsBurning founder and renowned techno DJ Carlos Valde.

Pride Amsterdam | 26 July - 3 August 2025, various locations

Amsterdamse Bostheater

Summer in the city is synonymous with the Amsterdamse Bos, and it’s here that you’ll find the Bostheater. A hidden amphitheatre in the forest, the Amsterdamse Bostheater offers a summer program of open-air performances under the hanging branches of age-old trees. From classical plays to performances by big names in the music industry – think Spinvis, Nick Mulvey and Jake Bugg, to name a few – a night at the Amsterdamse Bostheater is always one to remember.

Amsterdamse Bostheater | May - August 2025, Amsterdamse Bos

Dekmantel

This iconic multi-day electronic music festival takes place each August and grows in scope and popularity yearly. With the Amsterdamse Bos still serving as the festival's bucolic base, Dekmantel has added several other locations for their Dekmantel aan ‘t IJ program. These include Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Tolhuistuin, Parallel and Shelter, where you’ll find close listening sessions, live concerts, lectures and film screenings.

Dekmantel | 30 July - 3 August 2025, various locations

Julidans

Taking centre stage this summer is Julidans, Amsterdam's premier contemporary dance festival. With a program that showcases groundbreaking performances from choreographers across the globe, Julidans transforms the city into an international hotspot for avant-garde dance, offering audiences an exciting glimpse into the future of movement and expression.​

Julidans | 2 - 13 July 2025, various locations

World Press Photo

A true highlight for photography enthusiasts, the annual World Press photo exhibition returns to the striking gothic setting of De Nieuwe Kerk, one of Amsterdam’s oldest buildings. Presenting award-winning photojournalism, the exhibit captures poignant and powerful moments from around the globe. Catch this visual narrative of the bygone year's most pressing geopolitical events as seen through the lens of photojournalists who risked it all to tell their truth.  

World Press Photo | 18 April - 21 September 2025, De Nieuwe Kerk

Pluk de Nacht Film Festival

As the sun sets, snuggle under a blanket and enjoy a slice of lesser-known cinema. Pluk de Nacht (Seize the Night) brings unreleased films to Amsterdam’s summer nights at Het Stenen Hoofd in West – an idyllic waterside location. Genres range from absurd rom-coms, indie and arthouse cinema to haunting horror flicks, documentaries or animation. And many films are plucked from a star crop featured at major international film festivals and are screened in English or subtitled.

Pluk de Nacht | 21 - 31 August 2025, Stenen Hoofd

Red Light Jazz Festival

Amsterdam’s inner city comes alive every June with the Red Light Jazz Festival. While the historic Red Light District is often known for its seedier pursuits, in fact it is one of the oldest and most beautiful parts of the city, with a rich and diverse cultural history and a tight-knit community. As the three-day festival unfolds, musicians perform in intimate local spots – from streetcorners to small historic cafes – offering audiences a slice of authentic Amsterdam life.

Red Light Jazz Festival | 6 - 8 June 2025, various locations around De Wallen (Red Light District)