As Amsterdam prepares to mark its remarkable 750th birthday on October 27 in 2025, the vibrant Dutch capital invites travelers from around the world to join the festivities. This milestone celebration promises to be a blend of history, culture, and modernity, showcasing why Amsterdam has long been a beloved destination. From its rich history to special events and city-wide celebrations, here's what you can expect when visiting Amsterdam during this monumental year.
A Brief History of Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s story began in 1275, when the city’s founders built a small settlement on the banks of the Amstel River. Over the centuries, it grew into a thriving hub of trade and culture, particularly during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century. Known for its canals, art, and progressive spirit, Amsterdam continues to captivate visitors with its blend of historical charm and contemporary vibrancy.
Key Events for Amsterdam’s 750th Anniversary
Amsterdam’s 750th birthday will be celebrated with a year-long program of events, each designed to honor the city’s rich heritage and dynamic culture. Here are some highlights:
Jubilee Canal Parade
Date: April 27, 2025 (King’s Day)
Location: Amsterdam’s historic canals
Experience a spectacular parade featuring elaborately decorated boats, historical reenactments, and live music. The parade’s route through the city’s iconic canals offers prime views and a festive atmosphere.
Amsterdam 750 Concert at the Concertgebouw
Dates: March 8, 2025 @ 2:15 - 4:35
Location: Concertgebouw, Museumplein
The Concertgebouw’s famous Main Hall is one of the best concert halls in the world, well-known for its exceptional acoustics. Featuring 8 separate performance it will be a cultural dive into the heart of the city. The tickets for the afternoon performance start around 41 Euros.
Open-Air Festivals
Date: Summer 2025 (June through August)
Location: Vondelpark and Dam Square
Join open-air events, including film screenings, theater performances, and food festivals that bring the city’s streets and parks to life.
Light Festival Special Edition
Date: December 2025 through January 2026
Location: Along Amsterdam’s canals
Marvel at stunning light art installations created by international and local artists, illuminating the city’s waterways in celebration of its anniversary.
SAIL Amsterdam
Date: August 20 through August 24
Location: Piet Heinkade, 1019 BR Amsterdam but through the event, the city centre area will be divided into zones or 'Oceans', each hosting themed events.
Witness a massive fleet of large ships and various other special vessels sail across the IJ and dock near the city center. Some of these are historic vessels and promise to delight.
A10 Ring Road Party
Date: June 21, 2025
Location: 15km of the Ring West, South, and East (between the exit to the A5 and the exit to the A1)
Take part in a massive parade full of music, dance, theatre and much more entertainment.
Things to do in Amsterdam
Visit the Museumplein
Located in the Oud-Zuid (old south) neighbourhood the Museumplein which is a large square with several museums and a large open green space. On the third Sunday of each month you'll find an art and designers market in the open space. From around November through February the area is transformed into Ice Amsterdam with a large outdoor skating rink and, specifically at Christmas (December 12 through 26), several stalls are set up selling mostly food and beverages with a few Christmas themed goods available as well.
The foods you'll find are pretty traditional Dutch street food. You'll be able to nosh on Stroopwaffels (latticed waffle with caramel inside), Poffertjes (a small batter pancake served with powdered sugar), Bitterballen (breaded beef that's thickened with a roux and deep-fried until crispy), and of course the ever present Frietjes (amazing thick cut french fries typically served with mayonaise for dipping). Wash it all down with a nice beer or perhaps some Gluhwein if it's a cold day. Bring an appetite!
Skates are available for rental as are lockers at around $15 or you can pay a bit less and bring your own skates if you really want to. Be forewarned though, the ice surface can fluctuate wildly. Our first day there it was covered in about 1/2 of water and the following day it was pretty rough and chippy but it was still great fun.
One of the museums you can visit here is the Van Gogh Museum. Dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries, it offers an unparalleled glimpse into the life and art of the legendary painter.
The three most famous artworks displayed here are:
The Bedroom (1888)
Description: One of Van Gogh’s most recognizable works, this painting depicts his simple bedroom in Arles, France. The vibrant colors and distorted perspective create an intimate and emotional atmosphere.
Why It’s Famous: It reflects Van Gogh's personal life and his longing for stability and peace during a turbulent time.
Sunflowers (1889)
Description: Part of a series of sunflower paintings, this piece showcases a vase of sunflowers in rich yellows and golds. It exemplifies Van Gogh's innovative use of color and texture.
Why It’s Famous: This series has become synonymous with Van Gogh's artistic genius and is a testament to his fascination with the beauty of everyday life.
Self-Portrait as a Painter (1887–1888)
Description: One of many self-portraits Van Gogh painted, this work depicts the artist with his easel and palette, emphasizing his identity as a painter.
Why It’s Famous: It provides a deeply personal look at Van Gogh’s self-perception and emotional struggles, showcasing his distinct style.
Located just a few minutes walk away is the Rijksmuseum. One of the most iconic museums in the Netherlands, it houses a vast collection of Dutch art, including masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer.
There is also a huge collection of ship models depicting vessels over the years located on the ground floor.
On the second floor you can find the Great Hall which has some lovely stained glass windows and you will also enter the central Gallery of Honour which displays some of the most famous works.
The three most famous artworks here are:
The Night Watch (1642) by Rembrandt van Rijn
Description: A monumental painting depicting a militia company led by Captain Frans Banning Cocq. The dramatic use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro) and dynamic composition make it a masterpiece.
Why It’s Famous: It is one of the most celebrated works of the Dutch Golden Age, showcasing Rembrandt’s mastery and storytelling ability.
The Milkmaid (c. 1658) by Johannes Vermeer
Description: This small but exquisite painting shows a maid pouring milk, surrounded by household items. Its meticulous detail and serene atmosphere are captivating.
Why It’s Famous: It is considered a pinnacle of Vermeer’s work, reflecting his skill in capturing the beauty of everyday moments with incredible realism.
Self-Portrait (1661) by Rembrandt van Rijn
Description: This late self-portrait depicts Rembrandt in his older years, showing a weary yet dignified expression. The textured brushstrokes highlight his introspection and resilience.
Why It’s Famous: It is one of the most moving self-portraits in art history, providing a window into the artist's soul and his struggles late in life.
The day we visited they had a children's event going on with craft activities and a scavenger hunt for the kids. It was really quite fun but our day took an odd turn when a protest manifested in the Gallery of Honour. Actually I am sure they had permission as it was well organized and staff were not alarmed but it was certainly interesting. They were all holding signs that read in either Dutch or English "No Art on a Dead Planet"and were presumably protesting fossil fuels. It went on for about 15 minutes but the staff sealed off the gallery so no one could go in or out while it was going on so we kind of got stuck in the middle of it.
At least nobody threw any soup!
Located nearby is the Stedelijk Museum, a leading museum for modern and contemporary art and design if that is more to your liking. I didn't actually go to that one however.
You can get tickets for the museums individually or combine them if you intend to see more than one of them. I think the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum are worth going to and you can easily spend the a good portion of the day exploring both.
Also located in the square is the Concertgebouw music hall where numerous concerts are held. Every Wednesday afternoon from the beginning of September to the end of June, a free lunch concert is offered in the Concertgebouw at 12.30 p.m.
The area surrounding is full of charming bakeries, cafes, and restaurants. We particularly enjoyed going to a little spot named Blushing Amsterdam. They had great coffee, nice light bites and some impressive desserts. The appeltaarte and the black gold chocolate cake were a hit for sure and I enjoyed the Burrata Morgana Sandwich immensely.
With so much to see and do in the Museumplein I highly recommend planning to spend an entire day exploring it. Start with breakfast at a bakery, visit Van Gogh, have lunch at a nearby cafe and then visit the Rijksmuseum and maybe do a little shopping. Wrap up the day with dinner at Rijks fine dining, a Michelin starred restaurant (but book in advance).
Visit Oud-West
In this area you will find those charming closely packed canals that ring the central area. There a dozen of streets (one of the most popular being Nieuwendijk) that are lined with shops and restaurants and for some reason there is one or two huge candy stores in each block. Guess it's for those who get the munchies. There was also a duck store. Yeah, you read that right, a duck store. It is dedicated to selling all kinds of rubber ducks. There were lots of people browsing but not many buying but I can't blame them, the ducks cost anywhere from 8 Euro to 30 Euro!
Nieuwendijk street leads from near the Amsterdam Central Train Station up to a large open square where you can see the Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam (Royal Palace seen at the top of this blog). In this square you will also find Maddam Tussauds Wax museum, as well as De Nieuwe Kerk (The New Church). All three of these buildings are simply striking.
Travel a little bit east from there towards the De Oude Kerk (Old Church) and crossing the Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal will take you into the famed (or infamous) Red Light District. Go there if you dare but know that they are cracking down on bad behavior in an effort to clean up the neighbourhood and reduce the over tourism that has locals angry.
Other Notable Places to Visit
Anne Frank House: A poignant reminder of Amsterdam’s wartime history.
Jordaan Neighborhood: Known for its quaint streets, boutique shops, and cozy cafes.
Canal Cruises: A must-do activity to experience the charm of Amsterdam’s waterways. They offer Christmas light Canal cruises as well but we were warned against taking one if it was raining, which it did every night we were there. The boats that we read about would use a plastic tarp to cover the open windows preventing getting the occupants wet but it fogs up and you can't see out of it in short order which defeats the purpose. Maybe you'll have better luck, or maybe there are better tour boats to take. We were too disheartened and just enjoyed walking around looking at the lights.
There really is so much more to see and do in Amsterdam but this is a pretty good sample of our Christmas time weekend trip. Whether you are going for the Anniversary party events or just want to spend some time in the city there is certainly a lot to take in.
Explore Holland Beyond Amsterdam
If you’re planning a visit to Amsterdam, take the opportunity to explore the wider Netherlands. Here are some potential locations:
Rotterdam: Rotterdam was heavily bombed during World War II, leaving much of the city in ruins. Its modern skyline and innovative urban planning are a testament to its resilience and determination to rebuild. Rotterdam also has a vibrant street art scene, with large-scale murals and installations throughout the city.
Delft: Famous for its blue pottery and picturesque canals.
The Hague: Seat of the Dutch government and home to the Mauritshuis museum.
Keukenhof Gardens: Visit in spring to witness breathtaking tulip displays.
Kinderdijk: A UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring iconic windmills.
Zaanse Schans: Experience traditional Dutch culture, with windmills, clogs, and cheese-making demonstrations.
If you are traveling in summertime and want to take in some beach time you have a couple of options.
Scheveningen Beach
Scheveningen is the most famous beach in the Netherlands, located just a short distance from The Hague. It’s known for its vibrant atmosphere, wide sandy beach, and a wealth of activities.
Key Features:
The Pier: A modern pier with a Ferris wheel, bungee jumping, and restaurants offering stunning sea views.
Beach Clubs: Trendy clubs and restaurants line the beachfront, serving food and drinks day and night.
Water Sports: Ideal for surfing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing, with rental shops and schools available.
Cultural Events: Scheveningen hosts various festivals, including the International Fireworks Festival in summer. As of now, specific dates for the 2025 festival have not been confirmed. Traditionally, the event spans two weekends in August, featuring nightly fireworks displays by international teams competing for the best show.
Zandvoort Beach
Often called the “Amsterdam Beach,” Zandvoort is easily accessible from the capital, making it a favorite getaway for locals and tourists alike. It offers a relaxed vibe with ample facilities and a beautiful natural setting.
Key Features:
Proximity to Amsterdam: Just a 30-minute train ride from Amsterdam, Zandvoort is convenient for day trips.
Beach Clubs: Chic and cozy beach clubs like Tulum and Ubuntu offer excellent dining and a relaxed ambiance.
Circuit Zandvoort: A motorsport race track that hosts events, including Formula 1’s Dutch Grand Prix.
Nature Reserve: Located next to Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, it’s perfect for hiking and spotting wildlife.
Water Activities: Known for surfing, paddleboarding, and sailing.
Practical Tips for Travelers
Transportation: Amsterdam’s public transportation system and bike-friendly infrastructure make it easy to get around. Trains and buses connect the city to the rest of the Netherlands.
Accommodations: Book early, as the 750th celebrations will draw significant crowds. Options include canal-side boutique hotels and modern apartments.
Language: While Dutch is the official language, most locals speak excellent English.
Climate: Pack layers, as Dutch weather can be unpredictable. Spring and summer offer the mildest temperatures and beautiful blooms.
Don't forget though that this year Europe, including The Netherlands, will (finally) roll out it's ETIAS program so you may need to apply for it before you travel. What is the ETIAS? Read about it in our post.
Conclusion
As Amsterdam celebrates its remarkable 750th birthday this year, the Netherlands beckons travelers from around the world to join the festivities. This milestone celebration promises to be a blend of history, culture, and vibrant modernity, showcasing why Holland has long been a favorite destination for wanderlust enthusiasts.
Even if you aren't looking to go to any scheduled events there will be so much going on in general you'll find yourself caught up in the whirlwind of celebrations. Start planning now to make the most of a trip to the city. Find out more about all the scheduled events on their website.
Amsterdam certainly captured my heart when I first went and is always a place I want to explore even more. My next trip will be a long bicycle trek through the countryside and maybe to one of the beaches again. I hope you too have Amsterdam in your future and get the chance to see how much it has to offer.
Comments