Sail 2010 will take place in Amsterdam harbour between August 19th and 23rd 2010. This spectacular sailing event (one of the biggest in the world) only takes place every 5 years – tall ships from all over the world are on showcase as well as many other classic ships, replicas and naval vessels.

Hundreds of private boats also sail into the harbour to join the fun. A host of cultural events and concerts will be going on around the harbour.

There will be a tall ship race from Hartlepool (UK) to Ijmuiden (near
Amsterdam) between August 10th and 18th. Then August 19th sees the arrival of the main sail fleet along the North Sea canal into Amsterdam harbour. Tall ships from UK, Russia, Poland, Scandinavia, Germany, Italy and others are due to arrive.

Sail 2010 is freely open to visitors – the tall ships will be on display around the Ijhaven on the waterfront Amsterdam side (just east of central station) and on Java Island. The main walking route coincides closely to our self guided walk to Java island (except that you would stick to the waterfront edge). Note that Sail Amsterdam attracts large crowds so get there early in the day.

Amsterdam North will also have a  tall-ship display – you can jump on one of the  free GVB ferries from behind the station that shuttle between both sides.

Food and market stalls will be at various places.

Things to do/see: Tours of the tall ships will be possible; sailing races will take place on the Ij; sailing lessons for kids; musical and dance events; exhibitions.

A firework display on the water will be held every evening.

The best place without doubt to stay in Amsterdam for Sail 2010 is the modern and classy Movenpick hotel which sits right on the waterfront and has stunning views of the harbour – book early as it is certain to sell out.

For other hotels convenient for Sail 2010 click here.

This is our guide to what’s happening in and around the city of Amsterdam during May and June 2010. The early summer is a fantastic time to visit Amsterdam with festival season in full swing. The mild temperatures and long evenings let you get more out of your days.
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Museums / Exhibitions

Hermitage Amsterdam
“Matisse to Malevich: Pioneers of Modern Art from the Hermitage” includes works by Matisse, Picasso, Van Dongen, De Vlaminck, Derain and others. Running during May and June (until September).

Van Gogh Museum
“Paul Gaugin: The Breakthrough into Modernity” – exhibition.
Runs throughout May (ends June 6th 2010).

Oude Kerk (Old Church)
“World Press Photo” – Exhibition of the best photo journalism from the last year hosted in Amsterdam’s oldest church (pictured left).  Note, some images not for the faint of heart. Running throughout May and until June 20th.

Rijksmuseum
“Tulips in Amsterdam” – exhibit of drawings and prints of tulips including the rare tulip book by Jacob Marrel. To June 1st.

Rijksmuseum Schiphol
“Sunny Skies” - 17th century Dutch painters inspired by Italian landscapes. Throughout May and June to September.

Amsterdam Historical Museum
“Kienholz – The Hoerengracht” – Exhibition examines the connection between art and the red-light district. On during May and June (through to August).

Huis Marseille Photography Museum
“First Light” – Astronomy photos exhibition.
Runs to May 30th 2010.

Tropenmuseum
“Africa Scores” – With the World Cup in South Africa this exhibition celebrates African football. From June 12th to the end of August.

Amsterdam Stadarchief
“The First Photos of Amsterdam” – photos of the city from 1850-1875. Runs until June 27th.

Hollandse Schouwburg
“Auschwitz now. Three generations later” – Exhibition in the entrance hall about a Jewish family’s reflections on past events. Until May 31st.

Rembrandt House
“Picturalism in Dutch Photography 1890-1925″ – Shows the development of photographic techniques in Holland in the early 20th century. To June 20th.

Museums of Bags and Purses
“Crystal loves Leather” – Swarovski crystals on bags and accessories. Through May and June until end of August.

Museum Van Loon
“Laurence Aëgerter – Seek and Hide” -  Exhibition from this French artist. From May 28th to July 11th.

Open Garden Days 2010
“Courts and Community Gardens” – The weekend of June 18th, 19th and 20th will see around 30 canal gardens open to the public. Head to the following museums to start your tour: Bible Museum, Huis Marseille, Museum Van Loon or Museum Willet-Holthuysen.

For more information about museums in the city go to our section here:  Amsterdam Museums

Sport in Amsterdam / Netherlands

This year’s cycling Giro D’Italia (Tour of Italy) will be starting in Amsterdam and thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets. There will also be a small photo exhibition on the Giro at the Stadsarchief (City Archive) and various Italian themed events around the city.

Stage 1 on Saturday May 8th is an 8.4km prologue time trial around the city – from Museumplein to the Olympic stadium.

Stage 2 on May 9th will be a 209km ride from Amsterdam to Utrecht. The stage starts at Museumplein, will cross the Berlage bridge near Amstel and then heads south.
Stage 3 on May 10th is from Amsterdam to the city of Middelburg in Zeeland.  The stage starts at Zuidas in Amsterdam south.

The Netherlands football team prepares for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa by playing the following friendly matches:

Netherlands vs Ghana – on June 1st (2045) at Stadion Feyernoord in Rotterdam.
Netherlands vs Hungary – on June 5th (1400) at the Amsterdam ArenA.
Tickets range from €22.50 to €60.

Tennis: Unicef Open
International grass court tournament (both men’s ATP and women’s WTA) held at the Autotron Rosmalen (near Den Bosch, 1 hour south of Amsterdam). June 13th to 19th, day tickets €30 to €45

Other events in Amsterdam

Holland Festival – The country’s biggest arts performance festival running June 1st to 23rd. Scores of events going on including classical, dance, opera, film, theatre, visual arts – attracting a high caliber of international performers. Venues include the main theatres around the city.

Paul Merton – The British comedian (and friends) will perform a show at the Carre Theater on June 5th.

Amsterdam Roots Festival – Popular international world music festival to be held at various venues between June 17th and 20th. The highlight will be the free open air event with 6 stages at Oosterpark (a pubic park in the east) on Sunday 20th. Lots of performances, workshops, kids events and ethnic food stands.

ITs Festival Amsterdam – Theatre festival in Amsterdam to be held between June 22nd to 30th featuring this year’s arts graduates. Various genres on show – acting, dance, singing, mime artists – and many shows are English or subtitled.

Art Amsterdam – International art fair with 129 galleries – May 26th to 30th at Amsterdam RAI.

Fiesta Cubana – Join DJ Arno who hosts a monthly salsa dance party at the Badcuyp (Eerste Sweelinckstraat 10, just off Albert Cuyp straat). Next events on May 7th and June 4th (2200 – 0245) – entry €5.

Wide range of classical concerts almost daily at the Concertgebouw and Muziekgebouw aan’t Ij.

Westerkerk – Free lunchtime organ concerts every Friday at 1300.

Keukenhof – The world famous flower garden park 25km from Amsterdam is open to the public until May 16th. This year’s theme is “From Rusia With Love“.

Pop / Rock Concerts in Amsterdam

May 7th – Mika – Heineken Music Hall
May 15th – Madness – Heineken Music Hall
May 20th – Gotan Project – Paradiso
May 31st / June 1st – Snow Patrol – Heineken Music Hall
June 7th – Jamie Cullum – Heineken Music Hall
June 20th – Crowded House – Heineken Music Hall
June 28/29/30th – Mark Knopfler – Heineken Music Hall

Other Rock/Pop concert events in Netherlands:

May 8th – Alicia Keys - Gelredome Arnhem
May 15th – Lady Gaga – Gelredome Arnhem
May 29th – Eric Clapton / Steve Winwood - Gelredome Arnhem
28th-30th May – Pinkpop Festival – held in Landgraaf in the south of
Netherlands, near Heerlen. Scheduled on the bill are the likes of Green Day, Prodigy, Rammstein, Motorhead, Mika, Pink, Slash and more.
June 18th – Kiss – Gelredome Arnhem
June 23rd – Aerosmith – Goffertpark Nijmegen
June 27th – Rockin’ Park – event at Goffertpark in Nijmegen with Pearl Jam, Amy MacDonald, Stereophonics, White Lies, Rise Against.

For accommodation bookings check out our Amsterdam Hotels section.