A look at events happening in and around Amsterdam during May and June 2009.

Museums / Exhibitions

Van Gogh Museum
Van Gogh and the Colours of the Night exhibition in collaboration with New York’s MoMA – “evoking the atmosphere of the evening and night” in Van Gogh paintings including the Starry Night. € 2.50 surcharge applies for adults. Runs to June 7th.

Rijksmuseum
Vermeer Masterpieces back in Amsterdam.
Return to Manhattan: 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage – both exhibitions to June 1st.

Rijksmuseum
The museum is in the process of a large renovation. “Hard hat” behind-the-scenes tours are available on June 19th and 26th for €15.

Rijksmuseum Schiphol Airport
“Holland & Japan – 400 Years of Trade”
To 25th May.

Amsterdam Historic Museum
“Old Masters of Amsterdam” Exhibition including paintings from Rembrandt, Flinck etc. Runs throughout May and June (until August 9th).

World Press Photo
Photographic exhibition of top press photographers worldwide.
Oude Kerk, May 4th to June 28th.

Art Amsterdam 2009 – 25th anniversary
This year 120 artists will each have their own display gallery – features contemporary art from paintings, photos, sculpture, installations and video. 89 galleries are from Dutch artists, the rest international.
Amsterdam RAI from May 13th-17th.

Amsterdam Discovered by NY Photographers
Photos of the city by4 New York photographers.
Part of the 400 year celebration of the “discovery” of Manhattan.
Stadsarchief Amsterdam (Vijzelstraat 32) and FOAM museum
May 14th to August 23rd.

Hermitage Amsterdam museum will open its doors on June 20th.

Festivals

ITs Festival
May 19th-27th
International Theatre School Festival
various Amsterdam theatres

Amsterdam Roots Festival
May 21st Oosterpark
World Music Festival 2009 theme: “Mediterranea”

Amsterdam Comedy Festival
May 22nd-23rd Melkweg

Pinkpop Festival
May 30th – June 1st
Note: at Landgraaf, 134 miles south of Amsterdam
Netherland’s biggest open air pop festival, 50,000 campers

Holland Festival
Major Arts festival running from June 4th to 28th
Theatre locations all over Amsterdam
Opera, dance, music, theatre

IJazz Amsterdam Jazz Festival
June 5th-7th NDSM wharf

Sport

Sumo Wrestling
The first ever Sumo event in the Netherlands is scheduled to take place at the Heineken Music Hall on June 5th / 6th.

Ordina Tennis Open
Grass Court Tournament held in Rosmalen, near Den Bosch
Note this is ~1 hour south of Amsterdam June 14th-20th

Rock / Pop Concerts

May 11th Franz Ferdinand – Paradiso
May 13th The Black Crowes – Heineken Music Hall
May 29th The Killers – Heineken Music Hall
June 7th Jarvis Cocker – Paradiso
June 14th Boyz II Men – Amsterdam Marcanti
June 14th Anastacia – Heineken Music Hall
June 22nd Pet Shop Boys – Heineken Music Hall
June 23rd – AC/DC – Amsterdam ArenA
June 24th Liza Minelli – Heineken Music Hall

Other

Keukenhof - the world famous tulip bulb fields and gardens – is open daily (0800 – 1930) until May 21st. Each week has a different event planned such as National Costume Festival (May 1st-2nd), Choir Festival (May 8th-11th), Classical Music Concerts (May 15th – 17th) and Steet Organ Festival (May 21st).

Note, Keukenhof is located near the town of Lisse (between Leiden and Haarlem) to the south-west of Amsterdam. There are direct buses every 15 minutes from Schiphol Airport (Bus 58) or Leiden (Bus 54).