Cultural events, music festivals and traditional festivities make special this wonderful destination that is Amsterdam. A destination to visit any time of the year thanks to a rich, engaging and varied tourist offer. Here, then, are some ideas dedicated to travelers who love surprises and want to spend unforgettable moments during Amsterdam’s best seasonal events.
Fairy-tale atmospheres, twinkling lights and tasty winter events
The Amsterdam Light Festival illuminates the city with striking art installations arranged along the canals that line the charming old town. Numerous international artists display their light creations, between November and January, according to the theme chosen each year by a special jury. Also appearing during the Christmas season are the picturesque markets offering handicrafts and typical dishes of the winter season. Another not-to-be-missed experience is ice skating at the historic Museuplein rink surrounded by prestigious museums and numerous traditional venues. January, on the other hand, draws fashion lovers in search of the latest trends on display during the elegant and eclectic Amsterdam Fashion Week.
Spring under the banner of the year’s most iconic colors and celebrations
Keukenhof, also known as the Garden of Europe, hosts the beautiful and enchanting tulip bloom. This is a fantastic floral event to behold thanks to the many Amsterdam flights departing during the spring from major Italian airports. The magic of tulips is overshadowed only by another equally iconic, stunning and exciting event: the Koningsdag. King’s Day, in fact, is a true national holiday celebrated on April 27 on the occasion of the monarch’s birthday. During this stupendous occasion Amsterdam is literally dyed orange and the canals become a favorite stage for picturesque parades.
Amsterdam’s summer calendar: Between festivals and free outdoor events
Vondelpark Open Air Theatre offers concerts and performances of various kinds from June to September in a magnificent location. Not surprisingly, this free festival is renowned beyond national borders for its full-bodied festivals devoted to music, dance and theater. In late July and early August, however, Amsterdam Queer and Gay Pride bursts onto the scene with a vibrant and exciting explosion of color. The streets fill with protesters celebrating inclusion, equality and diversity with effervescent and exuberant parades. At the same time, the event is also meant to be a moment of reflection on the activism and political engagement carried out by the LGBTQ+ community.
Romance, breathtaking scenery and cultural reviews in autumn
Museumnacht is the first event of a season designed to enhance Amsterdam’s artistic and historical heritage. Museums stay open until 2 a.m. to allow travelers to admire the exhibits and enjoy special activities. There are no public holidays during this period, but watch out for the Amsterdam Dance Event that turns the city into a giant disco in October. International DJs come from all corners of the planet to set the nights ablaze with new hits and the great classics of electronic music. Finally, in mid-November, the IDFA festival comes into the picture with numerous screenings of documentaries, films and short films put forward by first-time directors.
Rijksmuseum
Slow tourism: the importance of time to fully grasp the beauty of Amsterdam
Hit-and-run vacations do not allow any traveler to fully appreciate a particular destination. Overloaded schedules and exhausting itineraries, in fact, have only one effect: making the experience an unpleasant ordeal. For this reason, slow tourism across borders is gaining increasing acceptance among travelers who want to take the time to explore Amsterdam and admire even its lesser-known gems. Strolling along the canals and lingering in a typical café like any resident, after all, is a priceless experience.
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