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.

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 Our Selection for the Summer Season 

Vondelpark Summer
The Vondelpark Summer Festival features free theatre, cabaret, concerts, dance and entertainment, suitable for all ages. It is held in Amsterdam’s largest green space, the Vondelpark, and its open-air theatre. During the festival, visitors can enjoy a variety of free performances. Classical concerts are held on Thursdays. Dance performances are hosted on Fridays. Saturday afternoons are for the children, while Saturday evenings are for cabaret and light music. Sundays are for music, varying from world music to jazz, to urban, to local.
Dates: June 6 - August 29
Location: Vondelpark, Amsterdam
For more information, please visit: www.openluchttheater.nl

Parade
A travelling festival that brings a splash of culture to several cities in the Netherlands. The core words for this year’s programme are: hard to grasp, self-providing, young, and multidisciplinary. There will be new theatre acts, well-known musicians, young film makers and old talents – and, as always, De Parade will inspire, hypnotise and surprise both the unsuspecting first visitors as well as those who have come out of curiosity, attracted by its reputation. There will also be a section for children.
Dates and locations: June 17 - 27, Rotterdam, Museumpark (in and around the NAi); July 2 - 11, The Hague, Westbroekpark; July 16 - August 1, Utrecht, Moreelse Park; August 5 - 22, Amsterdam, Martin Luther Kingpark
For more information, please visit: www.deparade.nl

Festival Classique
This wonderful festival offers the very best of classical music on the most beautiful locations in the city. There will be dozens on concerts on more than 20 indoor and outdoor stages.
Dates: June 18-20, in the weekend, the concerts around noon
Location: various locations in the city of The Hague
For more information, please visit: www.festivalclassique.nl

Alice TT Assen
The Dutch Motor Grand Prix at the Drenthe Circuit in Assen is one of the biggest events on the World Championship calendar, attracting an incredible 170,000 spectators. The race, known as the Dutch TT, has taken place here since 1949 and is regarded as one of the Netherlands’ top sporting events. The Motor Grand Prix is one of the fastest, most thrilling sports events in the world. The races are extremely competitive and the bikes can reach speeds of up to 310 kph (185 mph). Unlike in Formula 1 racing, competitors frequently overtake each other.
Dates: June 24-26
Location: Assen
For more information, please visit: www.tt-assen.com

Julidans – Summer Festival for International Contemporary Dance
Julidans is not merely interested in new, newer, newest. Those who have kept up with Julidans know that they like to show performances in which dance and other theatrical means are used to voice an outspoken view on developments in society. As is their tradition, there will be performances from all across the world, from China, to Belgium, to Morocco, to Israel, to Canada – and more. Julidans will cover all of Amsterdam, from the theatres on Leidseplein to the Bijlmer Parktheater. The organisers of Julidans see themselves as matchmakers, connecting old and new, well-known and unknown, east and west, centre and south-east, dance and the new media.
Dates: July 1-14
Location: Amsterdam
For more information, visit: www.julidans.nl  

Summer Carnival
The Summer Carnival is a yearly three-day Caribbean Carnival in the city centre of Rotterdam and is the most colourful and tropical party in the Netherlands. Similar to the carnival in Rio, it is a huge event, attended by at least 900,000 visitors from all across Europe, who come to dance to Latino music and look at the colourful and startling costumes and floats in the big street parade. Participants from Rotterdam's many ethnic groups, especially those from Cape Verde, the Antilles and Surinam, give the event its own unique atmosphere.
Dates: July 26 (Queen Election), 30-31 (verify the date of the election closer to the date)
Location: City centre Rotterdam
For more information, please visit: www.zomercarnaval.com

Delft Chamber Music Festival
Play! is the effervescent theme of this year’s Delft Chamber Music Festival. Based on the idea that the pleasure of playing the most important part of making music, the organisers have striven to find pieces that – for them – reflect the ultimate pleasure of playing.
Dates: July 30 - August 8
Location: Van der Mandelezaal, Museum Het Prinsenhof, St. Agathaplein 1, Delft
For more information, including a brochure and ticket reservations, visit www.delftmusicfestival.nl

12th Grachtenfestival/Concert
The nights of the Grachten Concert (Canal Concert) are a magical time to find yourself in Amsterdam. Renowned soloists perform classical music on various locations within Amsterdam and on the banks of the IJ River, with fairy-like lights decorating the canal sides and buildings. With over 160 concerts and activities programmed, the Grachtenfestival 2009, the opening of the classical music season, welcomed over 70,000 visitors. The entire Festival offers a wide selection of classical music at various locations in the city. The Grachtenfestival makes a special effort to provide a stage for young talent. Also part of this event is the Kindergrachtenfestival, which brings productions for babies, toddlers and teenagers. Many of the concerts are free of charge or accessible against a small fee.
Dates: August 14-22
Location: Pulitzer Hotel, Prinsengracht, Amsterdam
For more information, please visit: www.grachtenfestival.nl

Uitmarkt Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a hub of cultural activity and the Uitmarkt is a fine example of the city’s artistic character. At the end of August, the new season of Culture commences with shows on outdoor and indoor stages all over the city. There is enormous variety on offer here, with previews of theatre, cabaret, dance, pop and classical music, opera, mime, children’s theatre, street theatre and film. All performances are free.
Dates: August 27-29
Location: Museumplein, Amsterdam
For more information, please visit: www.uitmarkt.nl

Haags Uitfestival
This festival offers a variety of attractions, including stages on the Lange Voorhout and the Spuiplein, with cabaret, theatre, dance performances, music, and street performances and, of course, an information market on the coming season of cultural events in The Hague and the opportunity to buy admission tickets at reduced prices.
Date: September 5
Location: Lange Voorhout and Spuiplein, The Hague
For more information, please visit: www.haagsuitfestival.nl
 

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