As a cultural urban hub, Amsterdam is known around the world for so many things: art, architecture, bike riding, tulips, picturesque canals, and more. You’ll never run out of activities and places to check out. Plus, the Netherlands’ capital hosts a huge variety of annual festivals and events which add to the overall city-buzz. So, whether you got your heart set on art, music, food, theater or cinema, Amsterdam’s diverse cultural calendar has your back year-round.
From fun canal parades all the way to megahit music festivals in large-scale venues, hurry up and read our seasonal guide to the most popular festivals in Amsterdam, 2023 edition. 📖 👇
Seasonal guide to the most popular festivals in Amsterdam, 2023 edition 📖 👇
Best Festivals in Amsterdam for Spring 2023 🌼
#1 Don’t Let Daddy Know Amsterdam
An intensely high-energy, one-day global party that started from Ibiza and now hosts events in over 10 countries around the world with incredible stage-production and audiovisual effects. Join #DLDKAMSTERDAM.
When: 4 March 2023
Where: Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam
#2 Amsterdam Coffee Festival
Calling all caffeine lovers as well as industry professionals! This festival has it all: artisan coffee, barista demos, gourmet food-stalls, art exhibitions and live music.
When: from 30 March to 1 April 2023
Where: Westergas, Amsterdam
#3 Kaboom Animation Festival
A festival for all of you, animated-film fans. Enjoy all kinds of progressive stories and interesting narratives: from experimental and playful to colorful, family-friendly ones.
When: 24–29 March 2023 (Utrecht) & from 30 March to 2 April 2023 (Amsterdam)
Where: various locations in Amsterdam & Utrecht
#4 DGTL Festival
“There’s a place on the dancefloor. Under the deep bass, guided by the rhythm. When a thousand strangers become one, I come home.”
What started as a purely electronic festival is now spreading its wings to further musical and artistic adventures. Get ready to discover ultra-new sounds and let yourself be guided by the rhythm: from popular and underground techno to visual-art installations and much more.
When: 7–9 April 2023
Where: NDSM Docklands, Amsterdam
#5 Spring Break Amsterdam
Established in 2015, this is a multi-venue electronic music festival that takes after the American tradition of students relaxing during their term break and quickly became a tradition for thousands of partygoers annually.
Spring Break is an unforgettable festival experience including massive shows, day parties, club nights, boat rides, pub crawls and many more activities for you to… spring into.
When: 9–12 April 2023 (closing party on the 12th)
Where: Escape | AIR | Nyx | North Sea Venue, Amsterdam
#6 King’s Day
King’s Day (in Dutch: Koningsdag) is an annual national holiday in the Netherlands in honor of King Willem Alexander. Dress in orange (on that day… it’s a thing) and celebrate at this city-wide party the Amsterdam way. Join the festive boat parade on the canals and hundreds of other fun events out in the streets.
When: 27 April 2023
Where: various locations in Amsterdam
#7 Tulp Festival Amsterdam
Let spring into your life by joining this year’s most beautiful flower festival. Wander around tulip fields or explore more than 85 locations in the city center of Amsterdam which is literally blooming in April. It doesn’t get Dutcher than that!
Also, keep in mind that all displays in public areas are free to enjoy.
When: from 23 March to 14 May 2023
Where: various locations in & near Amsterdam
#8 Music On Festival
Music On is an Amsterdam festival that you definitely want to check out. It curates an innovative combo of electronic, house and techno music while letting you get a sneak peek into the sounds of tomorrow. This 2-day Havenpark festival will take you to a green space with some industrial vibes: the ultimate festival location.
When: 6–7 May 2023
Where: Havenpark, Amsterdam
#9 Rolling Kitchens
The Rollende Keukens food festival offers you free entry to dozens of mobile kitchens and food trucks specializing in mouthwatering local and ethnic dishes. You’ll also listen to some great live music while food-tasting. Sounds awesome, right?
When: 17–21 May 2023
Where: Westerpark, Amsterdam
Best Festivals in Amsterdam for Summer 2023 ☀️
#1 Amsterdam Art Week
Well, where do we begin with the famous Amsterdam Art Week? You’ll have to go and see with your own eyes the cool exhibitions, screenings, performances, debates and gallery tours. Add it to your Amsterdam bucket-list!
When: from 31 May to 4 June 2023
Where: various galleries & project spaces in Amsterdam
#2 Mystic Garden
Welcome to the Mystic Garden: an enchanted world full of magical creatures, playful decor and world-class DJs where you dress up as your favorite fairytale character while getting totally mystified. Discover the magic of this Sloterpark festival during which music, inspiration and creativity join forces for 1 day.
As the organizers of this intriguing event say on the official website:
“It begins as the sound of far-off music echoing throughout the woods, the drums lightly beating and the violin tune. The light at the heart of the forest calling you towards it.”
When: 17 June 2023
Where: Sloterpark, Amsterdam
#3 Holland Festival
Dating all the way back to 1947, this is the Netherlands’ biggest performing-arts festival featuring countless performances including theater, visual arts, contemporary dance, opera and film.
When: starting on 1 June 2023. The full program will be announced in March.
Where: various locations in Amsterdam
#4 Amsterdam Roots Festival
Founded in 1983 as the Africa Roots Festival, this is one of the most well-established, international music and circus festivals you can join. Known as the Amsterdam Roots Festival since 1998, it highlights the great value of cultural traditions via music, performing arts, family-friendly programs, workshops and stories.
When: [TBA] late June/ early July 2023
Where: various locations in Amsterdam
#5 Milkshake
Milkshake is an inclusive, colorful festival that’s all about freedom, creativity and unlimited self-expression.
Primarily focused on electronic dance music and dedicated to celebrating love in all its forms, this year’s edition offers you an impressive line-up of artists from multiple genres with an emphasis on EDM and hip-hop. Get ready for tons of exhilarating activities to check out. Plus, there’s a roller-disco!
When: 29–30 July 2023
Where: Westerpark, Amsterdam
#6 Dekmental
With an outstanding line-up of up-and-coming talents and influential artists, Dekmental is among the most prestigious and innovative EDM events of the world.
Dekmantel Festival 2023 offers a multi-day program of exceptional music and features a massive open-air venue and a second, smaller UFO-like stage for darker and more experimental/ futuristic sounds. Welcome to the future.
When: 2–6 August 2023
Where: Amsterdamse Bos, Amsterdam
#7 Loveland Festival
This is a lively electronic dance festival where house meets techno music in the heart of Amsterdam. Expect an extensive line-up of techno, house and electronic music artists and DJs as well as crazy costumes, energetic dancing and lots of partygoers attending along with you.
When: 12–13 August 2023
Where: Sloterpark, Amsterdam
#8 Mysteryland
Join one of the largest music festivals dating back to 1993 and featuring over 250 artists and 100,000 people every year. Be surrounded by crystal-like ponds and forestry hills near Amsterdam and experience huge musical diversity: from house, techno, trance and trap to minimal, hardstyle, hip-hop and more.
Get ready for outdoor dance floors, gigantic tents with LED screens, special-effect shows, lots of fireworks, hidden chill-out spots, art installations, food courts, and much more. There’s even a “Healing Garden” offering you various relaxing treatments, from cacao ceremonies to massages and meditation sessions. Wowed, yet? For sure one of the best festivals in Amsterdam!
When: 25–27 August 2023
Where: Haarlemmermeer, near Amsterdam
Best Festivals in Amsterdam for Fall 2023 🍁
#1 Amsterdam Dance Event
Have you ever asked yourself what’s the biggest world-party?
The Amsterdam Dance Event, aka ADE, is the answer.
It’s one of the most innovative and educational gatherings focusing on the electronic musical genre and its industry. It features an annual conference and festival covering the whole spectrum of electronic subgenres with over 2,500 artists in 140 of Amsterdam’s coolest spaces. Brace yourselves for music-related exhibitions, films, documentaries, DJ showcases, gear master-classes, artistic MusicTalks and more.
When: 18–22 Oct 2023
Where: various locations in Amsterdam
#2 Amsterdam Music Festival
The Amsterdam Music Festival, also known as AMF, took place for the 1st time in 1995 and, since then, it’s where EDM’s heart lies in. With a large selection of DJs, performers and breathtaking light shows, get ready for lots of dancing.
When: 21 October 2023
Where: Amsterdam Johan Cruijff ArenA | AFAS Live | Ziggo Dome | ArenA Park, Amsterdam
Best Festivals in Amsterdam for Winter 2023 🌨️
#1 Amsterdam Light Festival
Every winter there’s a new edition of Amsterdam Light Festival with light artworks especially created for the festival. You can find some artworks in permanent spots in the city of Amsterdam, as well. Follow the illuminating lights and let your imagination roll.
When: TBA
Where: various locations in Amsterdam
#2 Chocoa Festival
Did anyone say “chocolate festival”? Promoting sustainable and high-quality chocolate while offering workshops and tastings, this is a yummy festival for sure. Hurry up and get your tickets this year for the 2024 edition.
When: 7–11 Feb 2024
Where: Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam
So many festivals to join this year, so better start picking your favorite ones!
Best hotel near festival area in Amsterdam
While making your festival-planning, book your stay at the MEININGER Hotel Amsterdam City West.
We’re near the biggest Amsterdam festivals, such as the Amsterdam Dance Event, Music On, Loveland, Mystic Garden, and right next door to the Sloterdijk station.
Hop on the free shuttle buses you’ll find there that’ll take you to many other festival spots, too.
