Museum Night (Museumnacht)
3-3 November 2008
(Annual)
The Museum Night in Amsterdam is an annual event during which about 42 museums open their doors for a late night visit. But that is not enough since there is entertainment all around the city. Music, dancing, eating and special performances turn the night into day.
St Martin's Day
11-11 November 2008
(Annual)
November the 11th is St Martin's Day and many children in the Netherlands decorate handmade paper lanterns and go knocking on people's doors singing a traditional song. This isn't a late Halloween trick or treat, but you should offer these young people a handful of sweets when they ring your doorbell.
Cannabis Cup
23-27 November 2008
(Annual)
This event can only take place in Amsterdam where coffeeshops belong to the daily view of the city image. Holland's liberal attitude towards soft drugs attracts people from all over the world who head to over 400 coffeeshops in the city in order to legally purchase and smoke marijuana.
December 5th St Nicholas Eve (Sinterklaas)
5-5 December 2008
(Annual)
The Dutch don't celebrate Christmas quite so extensively as elsewhere in the West. They tend not to give presents or go to town quite as much as the British or Americans. Instead, they meet together with their families on the 5th December for some homegrown entertainment. This is the night when St Nicholas is meant to arrive on a white horse with his trusty servant, Black Peter. Children put out tasty things in wooden clogs in the fireplace at the foot of the chimney, and supposedly find presents the following morning.
Stille Omgang - Silent Procession Amsterdam
21-21 March 2009
(Annual)
The Silent Procession in Amsterdam is based on a miracle 1345 when a host was vomited and burned by an ill man but not destroyed by the fire. Every year the procession is held on Wednesday after the 12th of March. From Wednesday through Saturday, holy ma
Queen's Day
30-30 April 2009
(Annual)
If there is one day in the year when you really want to party in Amsterdam, it has to be 30th April, Queen's Day. The entire country was given a bank holiday for the Queen Mother's birthday many years ago and ever since, the Dutch turn the entire country into a huge street market and knees-up. The festivities start with hundreds of live bands playing in the street the evening before, and for serious clubbing, everyone goes to Panama or other large venues.
Open Gardens Amsterdam (dates not yet confirmed)
1-30 June 2009
(Annual)
For just a few days a year, 25 canal houses open their gardens to the general public. Although many can be seen individually by buying a ticket to individual museums, this is a rare opportunity to mingle with the crowds and see the formal gardens behind the grand facades of canal side buildings.
Amsterdam Culinair (dates not yet confirmed)
1-30 June 2009
(Annual)
Also this year in June Amsterdam turns into a culinary stronghold. The Museumplein in Amsterdam’s city centre is packed with all kinds of cooking related things such as tasting, cooking demonstrations and an inviting programme that is all about the city’s culinary possibilities.
Uitmarkt Amsterdam (dates not yet confirmed)
29-31 August 2009
(Annual)
This massive outdoor event is the annual launch of the Dutch cultural season. It is the opportunity for hundreds of theatre, cabaret, dance, pop, classical, opera, mime, children's theatre and street theatre acts to give a preview of what they will have to offer in the coming year.
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