August Amsterdam events and festivals
Booking airport transfer, attraction tickets or guided tours in advance is highly recommended whether you are visiting Amsterdam during a major event or not. You can read more about online tickets resources on our main Amsterdam events webpage.
Gay Pride/Canal Parade
The Gay pride festival presents an extensive programme with sports, cultural activities and parties. The highlight of the Amsterdam Gay Pride is the canal parade at the end of the Pride. A must-see when you are in Amsterdam in August.
www.amsterdamgaypride.nl
De Parade Theater Festival
This theater festival travels through the Netherlands, visiting a lot of its big cities, and ends in Amsterdam. The event area is known for its festive, colorful theater tents, good food and the carousel (also for adults!). During 17days around 70 performances will be given. Most of them are in Dutch, however the festival is also very nice for tourists to get a taste of the real Amsterdam and its colorful inhabitants.
www.deparade.nl
Grachtenfestival/Prinsengracht concert
For ten days, special places in the heart of Amsterdam form the backdrop for more than 80 classical music and jazz concerts. The concerts can be enjoyed in houses and gardens of hospitable local inhabitants and in concert halls, historic buildings, museums and out of doors in the area around Prinsengracht.
The highlight of the festival is the open air classical music concert held at the canal of the Prinsengracht. Spectators traditionally arrive on their boats with wine and snacks. Unique atmosphere, especially after the fall of the darkness.
www.grachtenfestival.nl
Sail Amsterdam
August 2020. SAIL Amsterdam is a large maritime manifestation that takes place every 5 years. For six days the city of Amsterdam will be a vibrant exhibition of historic ships and nautical heritage. About 20 tall ships are expected in Amsterdam harbor, together with 500 historic sailing and motorboats.
www.sail.nl
Uitmarkt
Considered to be the largest of cultural Amsterdam events, the Uitmarkt is definitely worth a visit. Organized every year during the last weekend of August, it celebrates the official opening of the Dutch Cultural season and offers performances, concerts, exhibitions, drama, countless workshops and a book market. The entrance of the Uitmarkt is free.
www.uitmarkt.nl
Vondelpark Open Air Theater
Want a real taste of the atmosphere in Amsterdam? Than you should go to one of the many August Amsterdam events in the Vondelpark. From cabaret to drama to concerts to dance, there is something there for everyone. The open-air theatre is situated next to the large fountain in the park.
www.openluchttheater.nl
ArtZuid
ArtZuid is an international sculpture exhibit in the streets of the Southern district of Amsterdam (Amsterdam Zuid). The former curator of the Amsterdam Stedelijk Museum, Rudi Fuchs, selects more than sixty large sculptures for the exhibit. Renowned artists show their work during this August Amsterdam event. To see who participate this year check the website. A catalog of the exhibit combined with the 1,5 hour guided tour is around €20, but you can also view the sculptures on your own.
www.artzuid.nl
Blijburg
Have a picnic and bring a bucket and spade to Blijburg or 'Happyville,' a man-made temporary swimming beach nearby the IJbrug. The place is complete with a funky restaurant-bar, DJs and bands. During many weekends in summer there are special dance events. Just check the weather and the website in advance.
www.blijburg.nl
Robeco Summer Nights Concerts (Robeco Zomerconcerten)
Each summer, informal and entertaining classical music concerts place at the prestigious Amsterdam Concertgebouw. The Summer Nights Concerts are sponsored, so the tickets are relatively inexpensive. This is an excellent opportunity to listen to classical music in one of the world's most famous philharmonic halls.
www.concertgebouw.nl