As the capital of The Netherlands, many of the country's biggest festivals take place here, and even without that fact, Amsterdam is a bubbling cultural centre in its own right. From quirky, avant-garde performances in intimate venues, to large scale, city-wide festivals that electrify all of Amsterdam - you can find it all listed here, in our events guide.
Before arriving in Amsterdam, make sure to check out our comprehensive guide to the year-round events and festivals in the city. Theatre, dance, and music festivals are frequent, and usually scattered in venues across the city, so it's best to check current event listings first to get a good idea of locations and prices.
Lovers of classical, jazz, and world music should pencil in a trip to the world-famous Concertgebouw, which hosts concerts in its phenomenal hall from both international stars and budding local musicians. Fans of more alternative and independent music from rock to electronic should check out the legendary Melkweg and Paradiso clubs.
There's also a constant stream of dance and theatre events, as well as exhibitions opening in the many galleries across the city. Head to our culture guide for some tips on the best places to explore for performance and art in Amsterdam.