Cultural Events

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 tourist information, we recommend you visit

Our Selection for the Spring Season 

Nederlands Dans Theater
Challenging Dance – Three very special ballets can be seen in this first regular programme of Nederlands Dans Theater I. With no less than two recent works by Jirí Kylián: his creation for Holland Dance Festival 2009 and the
impressive Vanishing Twin from 2008. Furthermore, you can enjoy Source of Inspiration, which Lightfoot León made for their tutor Hans van Manen.
Beyond Time – This exceptional evening of revivals by Nederlands Dans Theater I is a special jubilee programme, whereby they pay tribute to two fathers of Nederlands Dans Theater: Jiří Kylián and Hans van Manen.
Dates: Challenging Dance: through December 18
Beyond Time: February 4 – March 13, 2010
Location: various locations throughout the Netherlands, including Rotterdam, Amsterdam and The Hague
For more information, please visit: www.nederlandsdanstheater.nl  

  Show: True to II - Nederlands Dans Theater 2
This programme offers you an evening with three Lightfoot León pieces, a new creation by the young, unconventional choreographer Alexander Ekman and live music by Holland Symfonia. The programme title True to II refers to Nederlands Dans Theater II, where young talents are trained to become professional top-class dancers. Nederlands Dans Theater II is also the place where choreographers take their first steps.
Dates: through April 10
Location: various locations throughout the Netherlands
For more information, please visit: www.ndt.nl  
Photo: Joris Jan Bos 

The Master Pianists Series
The Master Pianist Series first took place in 1987 and is organised by Riaskoff Concert Management (RCM), an internationally renowned management office of classical musicians, including pianists, conductors, violinists, cellists and various chamber music ensembles in the Netherlands, Europe and worldwide. This year’s performances include master pianists such as Grigory Sokolov, Krystian Zimerman, Rafal Blechazc and Arcadi Volodos. If you are unable to attend a particular concert, be sure to check out www.uitburo.nl, to see if you can catch a performance at some other venue!
Dates: through June 20
Location: Concertgebouw, Amsterdam
For more information, please visit: www.meesterpianisten.nl  

 The Fortis City-Pier-City Walk
The City-Pier-City Walk is an international semi-marathon that takes place annually in The Hague, attracting over 18,000 participants every year. The course is flat, fast and traffic-free. The race begins in the city centre, heads out to the pier at the coastal resort of Scheveningen and then returns to where it started. There is also a 10km fun run and other recreational walking and running events varying in distance – also two for kids. Participants in the race are encouraged to give a donation to Right to Play, an international humanitarian organisation that brings sports and play programmes to disadvantaged areas around the world.
Date: March 14, 10 PM - 4 AM
Location: The Hague
To sign up visit: www.fortiscpcloop.nl
 

International Tango Festival Nijmegen
In March, Nijmegen will be transformed into Buenos Aires on the River Waal! The 7th International Tangofestival Doble Ocho will transform Netherlands’s oldest city into a Tango-City, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Republic of Argentina. Preceding this event will be a special concert given by tango-legend Juan Carlos Caceres on March 13, in the Spiegeltent. There will also be a film and documentary archive exchange between the Joris Ivens Foundation and the National Argentinian film Archive.
Tango Extremo will kick off the tango festival on March 17, with their theatre show Carnaval de Buenos Aires. Also the Tango Fusion Music JAM will take place that day, offering an interactive experience and process of improvisation and creation between the musicians and the dancers. On Thursday, fusion day, the famous Tango electro band Tanghetto will give their concert, while on Friday, the traditional presentation of the winner of the tango music Contest will take place.
Dates: March 17-21
Location: various locations in Nijmegen
For more information, please visit: www.doble-ocho.com  
 

Queen’s Day
Throughout the Netherlands the Dutch celebrate the (former) Queen’s birthday, known as Queen’s Day, with the party of the year. Boosted by the arrival of over a million people, Amsterdam holds an internationally-renowned street party, which goes on until the evening of the next day. The main areas of activity in Amsterdam are Damrak, Leidsestraat, Rokin and Spui. Vondelpark caters for children and bands play on Prinsengracht and Rembrandtplein. There are also parades, craft shows, flea markets, children’s parties, bands, street theatre and fireworks. For those who love second-hand shopping, all street trade is unregulated, resulting in a nationwide yard-sale.
Date: April 30
Location: Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands
 

Remembrance Day and Liberation Day
The Netherlands has its own way of commemorating the Second World War and celebrating the country’s liberation from five years of German occupation. Unlike most countries, it sets aside two days to mark this event, Remembrance Day and Liberation Day (all the events are broadcast live on television and radio). A national ceremony is held in Amsterdam, with a memorial service at the historic Nieuwe Kerk in Dam Square, followed by the laying of wreaths at the foot of the national war memorial by the Queen, members of parliament and representatives of those affected by the war. The close of the ceremony then signals the start of Liberation Day festivities, commemorating Germany’s surrender on the May 5, 1945. Special Liberation Day events are organised all across the country, but two highlights include the official launch of the celebrations (held in a different part of the country each year) and the open-air concert to mark their conclusion (held on the Amstel River).
Dates: May 4-5
Organisation National 4 and 5 May Committee
For more information visit: www.4en5mei.nl
 

North Sea Regatta
The annual North Sea Regatta features two major sailing competitions; the off-shore races in the week around Ascension Day and the 4-day races off the coast of Scheveningen during Whitsun-weekend. On May 11, 90-100 boats will leave for Harwich in the 100 mile ‘Vuurschepenrace’ and on May 14-16 will be the next race; the 180 mile North Sea Race, from Harwich back to Scheveningen. The sail regatta, based around the Scheveningen Yacht Club From will take place from May 11-24.
Dates: May 11-24
Location: Scheveningen Beach and Harbor
For more information visit: www.nsr.nl

 
 Holland Festival
Innovative stage performances in Amsterdam, with opera, dance, music and theatre. The world’s most celebrated artists perform one whole month in, among others, the Stadsschouwburg, the Muziektheater and the Concertgebouw. The programme can be found on the website as of March 3.
Dates: June 4-28
Location: various theaters in Amsterdam
For more information, please visit: www.hollandfestival.nl
 

Tong Tong Fair
For twelve days, the Eurasian cultures and their global contexts are put in the spotlight on a 20,000 m2 festival site in The Hague. It is a combination of music festival and large indoor market, highlighting 3 food halls, 5 stages, presentations, workshops and artists from Asia and Europe.
Dates: May 19-30
For more information, please visit: www.tongtongfair.nl  

The Hague Jazz
see our article in the Spring Issue
Dates: June 11-12
Location: The Hague, World Forum Convention Center
For more information, please visit: www.thehaguejazz.com

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