Events and leisure activities in the Netherlands

The list of events contained here is only a selection of the many activities, shows, expositions, etc. taking place in the Netherlands. Though we do not pretend to be complete, we do hope to offer you an interesting and varied selection which we will be updating on a regular basis.

For extensive current event information, we recommend you visit: www.IamExpat.nl/Lifestyle  

Our Selection for the Spring Season 
 

Romeo & Juliet 
Shakespeare’s famed Romeo & Juliet comes alive on the stage in Amsterdam. 
This performance by the Dutch National Ballet is a tribute to the company’s former artistic director, Rudi van Dantzig, who created the ballet in 1967. With majestic dances and realistic fight scenes in combination with sensational set design, the production will bring Renaissance Verona to life.
Dates: March 14 - April 1 
Location: The Amsterdam Music Theatre 
For more information, visit: www.het-muziektheater.nl  

Movies that Matter Festival
In association with Amnesty International, the Movies that Matter Festival presents a programme full of diverse films with a central focus on human rights. Visitors can attend screenings of feature length and short films, plus documentaries and animated films. All films are English-spoken or include subtitles.
Dates: March 21-27 
Location: The Hague 
For more information, visit: www.moviesthatmatter.nl  

Jazz Maastricht Masters 
For two days, top international musicians will take the stage alongside emerging artists during the Jazz Maastricht Masters. This festival presents jazz fans from around the world with two days full of creative jazz performances, such as John Sofield's new Organic Trio.
Dates: March 23-24 
Location: Theatre aan het Vrijthof, Maastricht 
For more information, visit: www.jazzmaastricht.com/home-en

East Side Blues Festival 
Fans of the blues can look forward to this 7th edition of the East Side Blues Festival in Nijmegen. Several local and international musicians and young talents will perform live on two stages, featuring a mixture of music, from swinging jump-blues to solid blues-rock.
Date: April 5
Location: Nijmegen 
For more information, visit: www.eastside-bluesfestival.nl

Motel Mozaïque
An annually recurring event in Rotterdam, Motel Mozaïque is a musical and performance art festival known for its distinct programme that connects visual and performing arts with pop music and dance at a variety of indoor venues around the city. Visitors can also opt to stay the night in remarkable locations, such as tree huts and rooftops, specially constructed by participating artists.
Dates: April 5-6 
Location: Various locations, Rotterdam 
For more information, visit: www.motelmozaique.nl  

 Museum Weekend 2013 
During the first weekend of April, hundreds of museums around the Netherlands will open their doors for an entry free of just one euro! This is a great opportunity for museum fans to check out dozens of exhibitions and enjoy related activities while supporting the country’s rich cultural heritage. For a complete list of participating locations and events please check the official website.
Dates: April 6-7
Locations: Various locations around the country
For more information, visit: www.museumweekend.nl

Top UK comedian Pete Johansson in Rotterdam
In April the comedians Pete Johansson and Greg Shapiro are touring in The Netherlands.
Greg Shapiro, who is known as the – The American Netherlander – has performed in shows of Boom Chicago, Comedy Central VARA HumorTV and ‘Behind Dutch Headlines’. 
Yet, he knows that the more the better! Thus, Shapiro invites three times a year his favorite comedians from the US & UK to tour around the Netherlands with him. 
This time the finely selected comedian is Pete Johansson! Pete and Greg Shapiro will perform together in Rotterdam. 
Pete Johansson is making a name for himself as one of the top comedians in the UK. From Canada, Johansson started his comedy career at the prestigious Just for Laughs Festival and HBO's Aspen Comedy Arts festival. 
He has appeared on Comedy Central's Premium Blend, CTV's Comedy Now and CBS's The Late Show with Craig Kilbourn. 
In 2009 his debut show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, "Naked Pictures of My Life", was nominated for the prestigious Best Newcomer Award. In 2010 it was followed by nomination for Chortle's Best Breakthrough Act award. Johansson lives in London with his wife Courtney, who is a model - as well as being a lovely person.

Get a little taste of what to expect from the show by seeing a clip of Pete on stage at Youtube 

Date: April 14, show starts at 20:00
Location: Engels Grandcafé Restaurant Zalen
Salon Auditorium Kriterion (take the elevator to the 7th floor)
Stationsplein 45, 3013 AK Rotterdam
Tickets € 15,- through http://shop.puuree.com  
For more information visit : www.gregshapiro.nl  

 

Rotterdam Marathon
As one of the largest sporting events in the Netherlands, the ABN AMRO Rotterdam Marathon will host thousands of runners in the annual race, with over 925,000 spectators cheering them on. For 13 years, this exciting sporting event has combined a fun mix of athletic competition with festival-related events featuring over 30 bands, DJs and orchestras! Other races also include a 5k and 10k loop, plus a children’s 1k run. 
Date: April 14
Location: Various locations, Rotterdam 
For more information, please visit: www.marathonrotterdam.org  

 Queen’s Day 
Each year, April 30 marks one of the Netherlands most exciting celebrations, Queen’s Day! Dutch cities around the country will be filled with enthusiastic supporters covered head to toe in orange, taking part in this traditional celebration on the birthday of the Queen’s mother. Fun entertainment includes street parties, live music and theatre performances, along with the well-known vrijmarkt (flea markets). In Amsterdam, you can find the main areas of activity in Damrak, Leidsestraat, Rokin and Spui.
Aside from the customary festivities, expect an exceptional celebration since 2013 will also be the day of the inauguration of the Netherlands' soon-to-be King Willem-Alexander, the country’s first King in over 100 years. Queen Beatrix’s abdication will also conclude the April 30 Queen’s Day festivities which will be replaced by King’s Day on April 27 to celebrate Willem-Alexander’s birthday from 2014 onwards. 
Date: April 30 
Location: Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands

Remembrance Day and Liberation Day
The Netherlands has a unique way of commemorating the Second World War, paying tribute with two national holidays: Remembrance Day (May 4) and Liberation Day (May 5). Related events, including exhibitions, lectures and debates, are scheduled to keep history a part of contemporary discussions.
The commemoration begins with solemn ceremonies on May 4 as a symbol of respect for all the Dutch who have died in conflicts worldwide, and continues the next day with big events including open-air pop festival. Activities scheduled for 2013 will follow the theme Freedom: Make the Deal, celebrating the treaty that signified freedom an the end World War II in the Netherlands.
Dates: May 4-5 
Location: Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands 
For more information, visit: www.4en5mei.nl/english  

SPRING Performing Arts Festival
Taking place in Utrecht, the SPRING Performing Arts Festival is a merger of Festival aan de Werf and Springdance. Together, they will present a new event focusing on the crossover between theatre and dance. Both festivals have been leading international platforms for the performing arts and return again this year with performances, instillations and debates.
The 10-day festival is the only event that focuses on the latest developments in international contemporary dance. Both established and emerging artists and dancers will perform works created by local and international choreographers.
Date: May 16-26
Location: Utrecht
For more information, please visit: www.springutrecht.nl

Holland Festival
The Holland Festival is the Netherlands’ oldest and largest performing arts festival. It was founded in 1947 and features some of the world’s top artists and performers. Last year, the festival offered more than 50 international productions and 150 performances. Its programme includes theatre, music, opera and modern dance performances, as well as arts, film and literature – offering the public a ‘kaleidoscopic view of the world’. The aim is to bring a mix of great names and daring experiments, all coming together to offer the public quality performances that are unique to the country.
Dates: June 1-26
Location: Various locations, Amsterdam.
For more information, please visit: www.hollandfestival.nl

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