Events and Parades

Amsterdamse events, parades and festivals 2006

April

April 8 until April 9
National Museumweekend
During this national museum weekend, more than 550 musea open their doors. You can visit the musea for free, or with a huge discount. Lots of them organize special activities.

April 20 until April 23
Jumping Amsterdam, Rai
In 2006 the RAI in Amsterdam will again be the setting of Jumping Amsterdam, an international equestrian event of the highest level. The absolute highlight are the FEI World Cup Dressage Final competitions.

April 24 until June
World Press Photo, De Oude Kerk
This yearly exhibition is about the best press pictures of the last year.

April 25 until April 30
Aprilfeesten, Nieuwmarkt, (April festivals)
Festival on the Nieuwmarkt, with a street party-atmosphere. Performances, bands and other activities.

April 29
Koninginnedag, Queensday
The biggest party in Amsterdam of the whole year! A free market, and thousands of perfomances, bands, DJ's and boats on the channels. The whole city is in orange. Actually the party starts the night before, when thousands of people celebrate the party on the streets, in the bars and clubs. This year the festival taks place a on the 29th of April, normally Qeensday is always on the 30th.

Whole month of april
Fair on the Damsquare

May

Whole month of May
World Press Photo, De Oude Kerk
This yearly exhibition is about the best press pictures of the last year.

May 3 until May 7
KunstRAI, RAI
The most important Art-event of Holland. Not only will all the top Dutch galleries be present, but there will also be a huge increas in the international representation. The exhibition will feature the latest developments in European contemporary art.

May 5
Bevrijdingsfeest,Amstel/Carré                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   On May 4 and 5 we celebrate the liberation of Holland of World-War II in 1945. There is at the end of the 5th of May a free concert on the River Amstel, before the Royal Theatre Carré.

May 5
Bevrijdingsfeest, Museumplein
Festival on the Museumplein (Museum square) on May 5.

May 5
Oosterparkfestival, Oosterpark
Annual festival with many dance, (world) music and artists of international origin.   There is a special sport and recreation program for children.

June

Whole month of June
World Press Photo, De Oude Kerk
This yearly exhibition is about the best press pictures of the last year.

June 2 until June 26
Holland Festival, several locations in Amsterdam
The Holland Festival is the annual trend-setting, innovative and adventurous high point of the cultural season in Holland. Since it was founded in 1947, the Holland Festival has aimed to present topical and innovative achievements in the dramatic arts - music, opera, theatre, dance – both in the most classical sense and experimental. This formula leaves room for productions and makers who have demonstrated their abilities and already made their name, as well as audacious and unknown artistic expressions by theatre makers who are often young and (still) undiscovered.

June 14 until June 18
Amsterdam Culinair, Nieuwmarkt
Four days long is the new market the stage on which Amsterdam presents her culinary qualities at the visitor. During Amsterdam Culinair, the most important restaurant holders, gather together on the Nieuwmarkt, to show the visitors their kitchen, and their best meals.

June 16 until June 18
De bloeiende Amsterdamse Grachtentuin, Grachtengordel
Around 25 gardens along the canals, between Brouwersgracht and the Amstel river, are open to the public during this period. The theme this year is Gardenhouses.

June 17 until June 25
Amsterdam Roots Festival, several locations
A music celebration aiming to cross boundaries by presenting the newest developments in cross-cultural music - featuring the rawest, latest talent from various backgrounds, cultures and lands.

June 22 until July 1i
International Theaterschool Festival (ITs), Theater aan de Nes & Theaterschool
For ten days each year, the theatres in the Nes and the Compagnietheater accommodate the centre of the festival where the new crop of dancers, actors, cabaret artists, pop musicians, mime artists, choreographers, opera singers and theatre directors, show what they can do.

June 27 until July 8
Julidans, on the Leidseplein, (July-dance, Leidse square)
An international festival for contemporary dance. In the 15e edition, july dance presents (world) premières, international parties and new movements, in which dance meets other forms of art.

July

Whole month of July
Robeco Zomerconcerten, Concertgebouw (Robeco summer concerts)
A serie of over 100 concerts during the months July and August in the world famous Concertgebouw.

July 1 until August 6 (only the weekends)
Kwakoe Zomer Festival, Bijlmerpark (Kwakoe summer festival)
What began as a football competition for summer stragglers has now turned into the country's largest multicultural festival, attracting 1 million visitors each year. Those looking for a tropical twist - including costumes, music, cuisine, sports, & lots of hip-shaking - should head down to Amsterdam's Zuidoost for the 31st edition of this
colourful festival.

July 6 until July 9
Aqua Musica, In en rond het Amsterdamse Oosterdok
A weekend fully of mainly old music, played by musicians from Holland and foreign countries, in the historical ships of the museum harbor union of Amsterdam,
in the VOC-ship and on the courtyard of the Scheepsvaartmuseum.

July 6 until July 16
Over het IJ festival, NDSM terrein
A festival with opera, theater, visual-arts and a sparkling festivalcentrum.

July 14 until July 15
Dance Valley, Recreatieterrein Spaarnwoude
The leading dance-event of the Netherlands (outdoor).

July 26 until July 31
Amsterdam International Fashion Week, several location
The Amsterdam International Fashion Week consists of catwalks, lectures, presentations, expositions and parties in the Westergasfabriek and other locations.

July 28 until September 29
Free movies in the open air!

August

August Robeco Zomerconcerten, Concertgebouw (Robeco summer concerts)
A serie of over 100 concerts during the months July and August in the world famous Concertgebouw.

August 4 until August 7
Gay Pride 2006, takes place in and around the cananls in the centre
The Gay Pride has an ecpanded cultural and sport program, and a lot of parties. For the eleventh time the extravagant Canal Parade will be held during Amsterdam Pride 2006. With 250.000 spectators this event is the third largest in Amsterdam.

August 4 until August 20
De Parade, Martin Luther King Park
Parade is a two-month mobile theatre festival with performances that take place in tents. Like a fair or a circus, de Parade has been touring the Netherlands and abroad for 13 years, descending on the nicest parks and squares in town. It is an irresistible live panorama of theatre, dance, music, art, entertainment, magic, curiosities, attractions
and shows. This colourful collection of theatre tents, fountain tents, the chairoplane and the global restaurants make the de Parade festival site resemble an old-fashioned fair ground.

August 14 until August 20
Grachtenfestival, Grachtengordel (Canal festival)
Join Amsterdam for this annual celebration of classical music on the water. Traditionally held on the canals of the city, the 9th edition of the Grachten festival will also extend concerts to the IJ harbour. The highlight is the Prinsengrachtconcert.

August 14 until August 20
Circle du Soleil
Entertainment, musicals, performans

August 19 and August 20
Hartjesdagen, Zeedijk and surroundings
An event with streettheater and music.

August 25 until August 27
Uitmarkt, Museumplein & Leidseplein (Museum square & Leidse square)
The festival began literally on the sidelines 28 years ago, with small street performances providing entertainment for those waiting in line at ticket booths, interviews with actors, skits and songs for a very limited audience. As the events gained in popularity,
the festival was born. Today's Uitmarkt aims to promote the city's cultural atmosphere to the largest group of people, with previews of the coming cultural season. (free of charge)

September

September 1 until September 3
Bloemencorso Aalsmeer-Amsterdam 2006, Between Aalsmeer & Amsterdam
A long parade of flowers will travel from Aalsmeer to Haarlemmermeer, via Amstelveen and Amsterdam.

September 3 and 4
The Arena, performance of Madonna

September 9 and September 10

Open Monumentendagen, through whole of the Netherlands
Several churches, castles, city halls and other monumental objects are these days opened between 10.00 and 17.00 hour and are recognizable at the flag with the logo
of the Open Monumentendag.

September 15 until September 17
Jordaanfestival, Elandsgracht
This is an annual returning event that already takes place more than 25 years. Many known and unknown artists
are performing during this festival.

September 18
Dam tot Damloop, Amsterdam/Zaandam (running event)
After 21 editions, the Dam tot Damloop is still the largest as well as one of the most attractive running events in the Netherlands. Most characteristic to this event is the course of 10 EM, which goes from the centre of Amsterdam to the centre of Zaandam. The passage through the IJ-tunnel, the large audience and the many bands and small orchestras along the course will certainly appeal to your imagination.

September 20 until September 23
Robodock festival, NDSM-werf
An international festival of spectacular theatre, multi-media and industrial installations. The essence of Robodock lies in the unpredictable combination of disciplines and
gripping theatrical applications, in which water and fire are important aspects.

September 26 until October 1
De Woonbeurs Amsterdam ,RAI
The biggest living-event of the Netherlands. Inspiration, advice and quality take care for
an unique interior event. House design and domestic equipment. Textile, leather, clothing and accessoires. One can taste, feel and choose self, either do: self.
October

October 15
Amsterdam Marathon
The 31st ING Amsterdam Marathon will be run on Amsterdam's flat and fast course on Sunday.

October 22 until October 29
Cinekid Festival, Near Leidsesquare
The international Cinekid Festival will be held in Amsterdam and feature the latest film, television and new media productions for children above the age of 4. Cinekid will be visited by more than 35.000 children and (international) professionals.

November

November 4
Museumnacht, whole city (museum night)
Is one of the most original cultural events held in the world, the "museum night" is a special celebration when Amsterdam's museums open their doors to the public all night long for special exhibitions, festivities and surprises.

November 10 until November 12
Beurs Klassieke Schepen, Java-eiland
The tenth edition of this international Classic Ships event, will this year take place on
the so-called “head” of the Java-island, at and on the IJ of Amsterdam. It is the only event in Europe about building, managing, maintaining and preserving of classical and traditional ships.

November 14 until November 16
Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS), RAI
METS is more than an exhibition, it’s the biggest and best attended meeting place for leisure marine trade professionals in the world. It offers an unbeatable quantity and
variety of equipment, materials, accessories and business tools for the marine leisure industry in the professional environment of the seven halls of the Europa Complex at Amsterdam RAI.

November 19
Intocht Sinterklaas, diverse locaties
The entry of St Nicholas will be a festive event. After his arrival on his steam boat at the Scheepvaartmuseum (Netherlands Maritime Museum Amsterdam), he will take a tour through the city centre of Amsterdam.

November 19 untill November 23
Cannabis Cup 2006, diverse locaties
During this event, the quality of hash of different suppliers will be discussed, uses and judged.

November 19 until November 26
Pictura Antiquairs Nationaal (PAN), RAI
An Art and antique event.
November 23 until December 3
International Documentary Festival (IDFA), Near Leidsesquare
One of the largest documentary film festival in the world with more than 150
documentary and an extensive program of workshops, lectures and forums about
aspects of the documentary film.
December

until December 3
International Documentary Festival (IDFA), Near Leidsesquare
One of the largest documentary film festival in the world with more than 150
documentary and an extensive program of workshops, lectures and forums about
aspects of the documentary film.

The whole month December
IJsbaan, Dam
Ice rink on the Dam.

December 16 until December 24
Christmas market, Leise square

December 18
Amsterdamse filmnacht, Leidseplein (Movie night)
At Saturdaynight 10 art cinemas are showing 10 movies during the night,
until the morning.

End of December
Kerstboom verbranding, museumplein
A christmas tree burning event by the museum pond on the Museumplein.
You can bring your own christmas tree.

Nederlands English

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Picture: Historical event in Amsterdam

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