What’s On: Things to Do in Amsterdam in July

“In the height of summer, the city of Amsterdam is a vibrant, colourful place to be. This July you can choose from a range of free and ticketed events taking place throughout the city and surrounding areas. Cultural celebrations are taking place alongside food and drink festivals, and you’ll find live music in most of Amsterdam’s parks throughout the month. Whatever you’re into, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.

Vondelpark Festival: All Month
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Every weekend throughout July, Vondelpark Festival brings live music, dance, theatre and performance art to Vondelpark in the southwest of the city. Within beautiful landscaped surroundings, enjoy a packed programme of music and art from celebrated Dutch artists and brand-new talents. Each Saturday night there are stand-up comedy shows, and a huge line-up of diverse events is scheduled for the month. For more information, take a look at the full programme.

ArtZuid: All Month
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The ArtZuid Sculpture Route is a spectacular and often eccentric exhibition of large-scale sculptures and installations just outside of the centre of Amsterdam. Follow the 2.5km route by bike or foot from Museumplein to the Zuidas business district to see 60 works of art by internationally renowned artists from Amsterdam and all over the world. Book a guided tour if you’d like to learn more about each piece along the way.

Designers Markets: Various Dates
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Amsterdam hosts a designers’ market regularly throughout the year. In July head to Sunday Market Amsterdam at Westergasfabreik, or New Market at Rokin or Niewmarkt to find original pieces by local artists, photographers, craftspeople and designers. Some friendly advice: take cash (some stallholders accept card but it’s not a given) and give yourself a time limit. These markets are fascinating and full of wonderful things, meaning they can easily swallow up whole mornings.

Kwaku Festival: Various Dates
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The Kwaku Festival celebrates multiculturalism and the abolition of slavery in the former Dutch colonies. On top of a busy line-up of live music, performances and dance workshops, fringe events throughout the park mean there’s plenty to do. Visit the Carribean market for shopping and head to the festival’s many street food stalls to try dishes from all over the world. There’s also a Kwaku Cup football competition, open to anyone of any age to compete in. All you need to do is submit a team. Fancy it? Visit the official site for full information.

Over het IJ Festival: 5-14 July
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The Over het IJ Festival is a unique theatre and performance art festival, celebrating contemporary theatre in locations dotted throughout Amsterdam. This year, 20 premieres will be staged, many of which were created especially with the festival in mind. From rooftops to industrial docksides, this is an unforgettable experience for fans of modern theatre and performance art. Also taking place will be the iconic Sea Container Program: 10 mini-location theatre performances or installations created in, on or around a sea container.

Japan Beach Festival: 13 July 2019
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An unusual festival even by Amsterdam’s standards, the Japan Beach Festival is a joyous celebration of Japanese food and drink. Held on Zandfoort beach (a 40-minute direct train ride away), you’ll enjoy sea, sand and an impressive range of Japanese delicacies, and an after-party on the beach. Once you’ve tasted the sushi, sake, ramen, yakitori and mochi on offer, try your hand at Japanese arcade games, learn how to make sushi in specialist workshops and take a walk around the Japan market.

If you’d rather stay closer to the action, take a look at our hotels in Zandfoort.

TREK Food Truck Festival: 12-14 July 2019
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Food, drink, live music and entertainment, all off the back of a lorry. That’s what the travelling TREK Food Truck Festival is offering, and from 12-14 July 2019 each stallholder is cooking for the people of Amsterdam within the beautiful greenery of Amstelpark. Musicians, stage performances and cabaret entertainment will take place all day every day throughout the festival. There may even be a firebreather or two. This is Amsterdam after all.

Pride Park Opening Party: 27 July 2019
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On the 27 July 2019, Amsterdam Gay Pride will launch with the Pride Park Opening Party at Vondelpark. This annual event announces the beginning of Amsterdam’s Pride celebrations, and you’ll see DJs and live performances as well as speeches by members of the LGBTQIA+ community from Amsterdam and further afield. You can also visit the Rainbow Market to buy art, crafts and clothing made by LGBTQIA+ artisans.

Looking for a last-minute room in Amsterdam? Take a look at our hotels in Amsterdam.”