Amsterdam: Festivals by Season
Amsterdam is the city of all events and festivals. There are an incredible number of around 3000 festivals and events held throughout the year. Almost every week in the Amsterdam an events or a festival swings open. Most of these events are jubilees having a long history. The programmes of the Dutch are carefully kept up to date and continuity of their social life is preserved. Since all the main events get visitors from all over the world most cultural events are rather with an english speaking audience in your mind.
As you will find all sorts of event, we will attempt to describe for you quickly the most interesting of each season.
As you can imagine, Holland being a Monarchy, for the Dutch the most awaited moment in spring is the King’s Birthday (April 27). Mostly 2 day celebration which has street part and free market. Plenty of youth travel to Amsterdam from the ones of the world around these festivities, and that’s the reason the Old City is closed to car traffic on this day.
In many cases at the end of May, there is a important artistic event. It is the Holland Festival. It seeks here to bring together low and high culture. It premiers altogether latest and substantial works in the areas of music, theatre, opera, ballet arts.
As the summer paces up, so the season of open air festivals, theatre and concerts. The most important date is the Grachtenfestival. It has live music performances at city canals and Historical centre of Amsterdam. It is a 10 day collection of classical music concerts – on different venues.
Another summer festival of the gay culture called Gay Pride is held. It’s not an Amsterdam exclusive but it is a unique Amsterdam event. It is always culminated with the festive, carnival boat parade through the canals.
Once per year, as slowly the autumn returns, the Amsterdam jazz is alive with a multitude of cultural events. There are numerous books and antique markets, concerts, film festival, museum events. One of the highlights of the autumn season is the IDFA. This is an International Documentary Film Festival held commonly in middle of November. One more interesting occasion is for sure Museum Night, which always occurrs in November. All the museums and galleries open their doors to public during the Museum Night. They usually have some unique exhibition or performance lined up for this occasion. This event has launched the fashion trend of the Museum Nights which are happening all over the major European cities.
Also in mid November the actual Saint Nicholas Starting sweets and toys in hand brings joy to Children. There is a fun and colorful parade through the city, it opens the holiday season and welcomes the approach of Christmas.
Some would call the Amsterdam winter the quietest season of the year, certainly when it comes to events and festivals. Although that is still possible, there are some things that make it worthwhile to visit Amsterdam in winter. First, the New Year Eve gala. Amsterdam is also infamous among the European youth as the city of party and many young people visit to welcome the New Year. Mostly the young and lively crowd assembles at Dam Square and Prinsengracht. The traditional fireworks and events are happening around the whole city. There are food stand, drink stands, and altogether, compared by personal experience, great experience. Trust us; the Dutch is a party animal.
Winter in Amsterdam not only is the best time partying, but also visiting museums. In addition, you must visit the Concertgebouw concert or the International Fashion Week fashion show is mandatory. Although its icy and dark days, there are ice rinks open outside, on the Leidseplein and Museumplein. In the evenings, events and light sculptures of Amsterdam Light Festival make the streets in the Old Town even more attractive.
