What are the most popular annual festivals and events in Amsterdam?

Nowhere in the Netherlands are there as many festivals as in Amsterdam. Our capital city hosts annually 200 to 400 music festivals spread across locations such as the NDSM wharf, Tuinen van West, Sloterpark, Thuishaven, Gashouder, and so on. We give you an overview of the most fun and special festivals that you really should not miss.

Amsterdam Open Air

In the first weekend of June (Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2), the unique Amsterdam Open Air takes place in the Gaasperpark. During the two-day festival, the Amsterdam Open Air organization brings together a large ensemble of relevant cultural figures from Amsterdam. The music program covers the full spectrum of Dutch dance music. The festival has been a reflection of Amsterdam’s nightlife and the creative initiatives in the capital. Fans of house, techno, disco, hip-hop and electro can enjoy two days of a lineup featuring many artists not previously seen at Amsterdam Open Air.

Georgie’s Wundergarten

The magical village of Ruigoord will host Georgie’s Wundergarden on Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20. The idealistic festival-goer can enjoy locally emerging artists and a lot of love for art and culture here. The festival aims to let people experience how colorful our world can be. Everyone can be themselves and enjoy the environment. It gives an alternative view of life.

Milkshake Festival

On Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28, the Westerpark is once again home to the Milkshake Festival. Milkshake Festival is a multi-genre music festival in Amsterdam and has become one of the favorite festivals in the capital. It’s not just a dance festival; it’s a celebration where respect, freedom, love, tolerance, and fun are highly valued. Milkshake Festival is a collaboration between Air and Paradiso, two of the largest clubs in Amsterdam, featuring many different stages. Expect sparkling sets, spectacle and a wide variety of performances and visitors

Pride Amsterdam

Pride Amsterdam takes place from July 27th to August 4th. Block your agenda because there’s a lot of beauty on the horizon! During Pride, around 300 events take place, catering to every taste and considering every community. As the cherry on top, on Saturday, August 3rd, the annual Canal Parade takes place on the Amsterdam canals. Make sure you secure a spot along the route: Oosterdok – Nieuwe Herengracht – Amstel – Prinsengracht – Westerdok. Party along and enjoy this amazing spectacle.

Dance Valley

Dance Valley will take place on Saturday, August 10th, in Spaarnwoude. Dance Valley is one of the longest-running dance festivals in the world and is known for its wide variety of renowned artists, music, and stages. It owes its name to the hilly character of the festival terrain. It was the world’s first festival to bring electronic dance music from the darkness of the night into the light of a daytime event. Dance Valley proved to be a blueprint for all dance festivals that would later be organized in the Netherlands and the rest of the world. On the grounds, there are about a dozen circus tents and a few large outdoor stages, spread across various areas. Each tent represents one of the many dance styles, making the offering at Dance Valley diverse. On the main stage, the most popular DJs with various styles perform. The entire grounds are transformed into a small village, where various performers, acts, and attractions can be found. Sharing the love of dance and DJs is the focus at Dance Valley.

LatinVillage

LatinVillage Festival will take place on Sunday, August 18th, 2024. One day, the best music, the best vibes, and the beautiful LatinVillage Family to celebrate it with. Various acts, from both domestic and international scenes, take to the six stages to deliver a solid mix of dance and authentic salsa. In addition to the music performances, workshops and dance demonstrations are scheduled.

Valtifest

You have festivals and you have Valtifest. The colorful Amsterdam festival, Valtifest, will be held on Saturday, August 24th. Once again this year, with a unique theme and a corresponding dress code! And there’s a first for Valtifest! It’s actually the first festival to take place at the new festival location, Kaap Oost. This terrain is located on Zeeburgereiland. You can enjoy dancing with your feet in the sand. It’s a festival where creativity, freedom, and tolerance take precedence. Where you can unleash all your creativity on the dress code and be completely yourself.

ZeeZout Festival

Don’t like large-scale festivals and prefer a nice and cozy festival location? Then ZeeZout Festival is the place to be. On Saturday, August 31st, the ZeeZout festival takes place at the Tuinen van West in Amsterdam. ZeeZout stays true to itself. Draws strength from simplicity and returns to the basics of dance culture. With its motto “Making Friends Dance,” ZeeZout focuses on connecting strangers to make them dance like friends. The festival is always on the lookout for the most unique spots in the greenery of Tuinen van West, and this year, ZeeZout will also surprise its visitors with innovative production. Expect four intimate stages, with a great party feel.

Mysteryland

The Netherlands’ largest dance festival returns to the Haarlemmermeer. From Friday, August 30th, to Sunday, September 1st, the biggest dance artists come to Mysteryland. The festival is a beautiful collection of dozens of other successful parties and festivals. For example, Vunzige Deuntjes hosts a stage there, as well as Thunderdome and Q-dance. You can find more credible house at the Adonis stage, live music at the Sofa Sessions, more commercial house & EDM at the main stage, and sing-along hits at the STËLZ Partybus or Silent Disco. It is extraordinary how Mysteryland manages to throw all these different styles together, and still manages to create a cohesive festival with a good atmosphere.

Nobel Mortgages

Last but not least, you can of course pay a celebratory visit to the best mortgage advisor in Amsterdam and the surrounding area! Feel free to drop by at Jacob van Lennepkade 296 in Oud West for a delicious cup of coffee and a good conversation. You are always welcome.