If you are planning a visit to Amsterdam, Netherlands then check our AmsterdamTips.com summary guide to what’s happening in and around the city during November 2010. The listing below includes highlights from museums and exhibitions, concerts, festivals and sports events.

With the winter drawing in make sure you bring some warm clothes!

Museums / Exhibitions in Amsterdam

Museum Night – An evening when many Amsterdam museums open their doors until late. Not only can you see exhibitions but special events are organised from films, dance and concerts…plus food, drink and DJ parties into the night. Nov 6th 1900 – 0200.

Hermitage Amsterdam – Exhibition “The immortal Alexander the Great – The myth, the reality, his journey, his legacy” until March 2011.

Rijksmuseum – “Rembrandt and Jan Six. An Amsterdam Friendship” – Portrait and exhibit running to Nov 29th.

Rijksmuseum Schiphol – “Dutch Cows” -  9 paintings from the 17th century featuring cattle – a symbol of prosperity, fertility and loyalty. Running till Nov 9th 2010. Free entry.

Van Gogh Museum – “Illusions of reality” – Naturalist painting, photography and cinema 1875-1918. Running until Jan 2011.

Tropenmuseum – “Cars & Traces” – Exhibition of Mexican artist Betsabeé Romero inspired by the motor car. Until Feb 2011.

Temporary Stedelijk Museum – 2 exhibitions running “Taking Place” and “Monumentalism” until Jan 2011.

Rembrandt House – “The Cabinet of a Connoisseur” – prints from the Frits Lugt Collection (runs to Jan 2011).

Dutch Resistance Museum – “Love in Wartime” – Long-term exhibit running until April 2011.

Allard Pierson Museum – “Alexander’s Legacy – Greeks in Egypt” – The impact Alexander the Great made on Egypt. Runs to March 2011.

Bible Museum – “Marvellous Miracles” – Bible stories created by artists with mental disabilities. Runs to Jan 2011.

Huis Marseille – Dayanita Singh – Exhibition from this prominent Indian photographer. Runs to Nov 22nd.

Bags & Purses Museum – “For Your Eyes Only” – the private content of women’s bags. Runs to end of Jan 2011.

Check out our comprehensive  Amsterdam Museums Guide

Sport in Amsterdam / Netherlands

Football: International Friendly
Netherlands vs Turkey – Amsterdam ArenA, Nov 17th, kick-off 2030

Ajax home matches at the ArenA:
Eredivisie (Dutch league):
Ajax vs ADO Den Haag – Nov 7th, 1230
Ajax vs PSV Eindhoven – Nov 20th, 2045
KNVB Beker (Dutch Cup):
Ajax vs BV Veendam – Nov 11th, 1845
Champions League:
Ajax vs Real Madrid – Nov 23rd, 2045

Basketball: ABC Amsterdam home matches at Sporthallen Zuid (near Olympic stadium). Games on 13th Nov (vs Rotterdam) and 21st Nov (vs Landstede).

Other events in Amsterdam

Africa in the Picture – Film festival with African films at Amsterdam’s Cinema Het Ketelhuis (Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek), Nov 2nd-7th.

Amsterdam Cello Biennale – International cello music festival held at the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t Ij with over 40 concerts. Nov 5-13th.

Fiesta Cubana – Popular monthly salsa dance event (Cuban style) at the Badcuyp in Amsterdam (near Albert Cuyp markt) hosted by DJ Arno. €5 entry, Nov 5th.

ChocA – Chocolate festival in Amsterdam with chocolate high teas, menus and workshops. Nov 6th-21st at various restaurants and hotels, info at OBA library.

International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) – Around 300 documentary films will be shown in the city between Nov 17-28th.

Amsterdam Burlesque Festival – Risqué cabaret entertainment held at the Panama nightclub, Nov 18-20th.

Amsterdam Winner Show 2010 – Dog show at RAI, Nov 27-28th.

Totem – Cirque du Soleil’s show held daily (except Mondays) during November at the Grand Chapiteau (near Amsterdam ArenA).

Classical Concerts – Full program running at Concertgebouw and MuziekGebouw aan’t Ij. Free concert at Concertgebouw every Wednesday at 1230. MuziekGebouw will hold a free lunchtime concert on Nov 16th at 1230.

Jazz – Many performances at the Bimhuis Amsterdam -  “Monday Match: Dance & Music Impro Lab”, Nov 1st (2030) has free entry.

Sunday Market – Monthly market for fashion, art, design and good food – Nov 7th at Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek.

Pop / Rock Concerts

in Amsterdam:

Nov 4th – Steve Lukather – Paradiso
Nov 5th – Suzanne Vega – Melkweg
Nov 7th – Joe Jackson – Paradiso
Nov 8th – Public Enemy – Paradiso
Nov 9th – Jerry Lee Lewis – Heineken Music Hall (HMH)
Nov 9th – The Bootleg Beatles – Theater Fabriek
Nov 12/13th – “London Calling“  – Paradiso
(popular Indie Festival with 20 up-and-coming bands)
Nov 15th – Gorillaz – HMH
Nov 16th – Amy Macdonald – HMH
Nov 16th – Mark Ronson – Paradiso
Nov 20th – Adam Lambert – Paradiso
Nov 20th – Amsterdam Latin Festival – HMH
(Prince Royce, Kassav, La India, Kevin Lyttle, Keisha)
Nov 21st – Interpol – HMH
Nov 26th – UB40 – Paradiso

Other concerts in Netherlands:

Nov 1st – Scissor Sisters – Vredenburg Leidsche Rijn, Utrecht
Nov 18/19/20th – Night of the Proms - Ahoy, Rotterdam
(Barry Hay, Boy George, Charlie Siem, Grace Jones, John Fogerty)
Nov 26th – Faithless – Ahoy, Rotterdam
Nov 27th – Jean Michel Jarre - Ahoy, Rotterdam
Nov 29/30th – Lady Gaga – Ahoy, Rotterdam

Looking for a good value hotel in Amsterdam? Then check out our Amsterdam Hotels page.

This is the AmsterdamTips.com guide to what’s going on in Amsterdam, Netherlands during both September 2010 and October 2010 – including concerts, festivals, sporting events, museums and exhibitions. Autumn is a fine time to plan a trip to Amsterdam – the weather in September can still be very pleasant though by late October it can start feeling a little chilly.

Museums / Exhibitions in Amsterdam

Hermitage Amsterdam – Matisse to Malevich exhibition ends Sep 17th. After that runs “The immortal Alexander the Great” from Sep 18th (to March 2011).

Rijksmuseum – Miró & Jan Steen ends Sep 13th. “Rembrandt and Jan Six” exhibition runs Sep 7th until Nov.

Rijksmuseum Schiphol – Dutch Cows – 9 paintings from the 17th century featuring cattle – a symbol of prosperity, fertility and loyalty. Running till Nov 2010. Free entry.

Tropenmuseum – Betsabeé Romero – Exhibition of this Mexican artist whose work (photos, paintings and installations) is inspired by the motor car. From Sep 24th (to Feb 2011).

Rembrandt House – Frans Pannekoek Prints exhibition running till Oct 3rd. New exhibition will be “Passion for Perfection” – prints from the Frits Lugt Collection – Oct 15th (runs to Jan 2011).

Dutch Resistance Museum – Love in Wartime – Looking at the human side of WW2 where love blossomed under the most difficult of circumstances. Long-term exhibition runs until April 2011.

Jewish Historical Museum – Jewish art exhibitions from Mayer July (Colorful Memories of a Polish Childhood, to Oct 10th) and Charlotte Salomon (running til Nov).

Allard Pierson Museum – Alexander’s Legacy – Greeks in Egypt – The impact Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) made on Egypt. Opens Sep 17th (runs to March 2011).

Huis Marseille – Dayanita Singh – Exhibition from this prominent Indian photographer. Runs Sep 4th to Nov 22nd.

Nieuwe Kerk – Dutch artist Krijn de Koning becomes temporary “church warden” with a spectacular installation inside the church including a raised floor. Running until Oct 24th.

Stadsarchief - The Jordaan – Photo exhibition of this Amsterdam neighbourhood by Dolf Toussaint. Running til Oct 31st.

Check out our comprehensive  Amsterdam Museum Guide

Sport in Amsterdam / Netherlands

Football: Euro 2012 Qualification
Netherlands vs Sweden – Amsterdam ArenA, Oct 12th, kick-off 2030

Ajax home matches at the Amsterdam ArenA:

Eredivisie (Dutch league):

Ajax vs Willem II – Sep 12th, kick-off 1430
Ajax vs FC Utrecht – Oct 3rd, kick-off 1230
Ajax vs NAC Breda – Oct 16th, kick-off 1845
Ajax vs Heerenveen – Oct 27th, kick-off 1900

UEFA Champions League match:

Ajax vs Auxerre – Oct 19th, kick-off 2045

Dam tot Dam Loop – Very popular 10 mile fun-run event with up to 60,000 participants. The run takes place on Sunday Sep 19th between Prins Hendrikkade, Amsterdam and Zandam in staggered starts.

Amsterdam Marathon – To be held on Oct 17th. Start and finish at the Olympic Stadium. Route will be all over the city including Vondelpark, Oud-Zuid, Oost and along the Amstel river just south of the city.

Artistic Gymnastics World Championships 2010 – Oct 16th to 24th at Rotterdam Ahoy.

Ben Bril Memorial Boxing Gala – Boxing Gala event at theater Carre, Oct 18th.

Cruyff Foundation Open Day – Charitable foundation of Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff that helps disabled and disadvantaged kids to take up sport. The open day has sport clinics and demonstrations for kids to join in. Olympic Stadium Amsterdam, 22nd Sep.

Other events in Amsterdam

Dutch Theatre Festival – Theatre performances held at various venues in Amsterdam between Sep 2nd and 12th. 3 events*  will have English subtitling. Tickets cost €10 – 27. (* Branden/Scorched, Eleven Minutes, Hannah & Martin)

Andre Rieu in concert – Sep 4th – Amsterdam ArenA.

IBC 2010 – International Broadcasting Convention – Amsterdam RAI Sep 10th – 14th.

Tuba/Piano concert – Performance at the Conservatorium Amsterdam (Blue Note) next to the OBA library given by musicians John Banther and Kat Vipers. Sep 10th (2000), free entry with drinks afterwards.

Open Monument Day – Sep 11th/12th, theme: A Taste of the 19th Century – Over 60 historical buildings in Amsterdam are open to the public with special walks, exhibitions and othert activities on offer.

Woonbeurs – Large home / lifestyle expo to be held at Amsterdam RAI between Sep 25th and Oct 3rd.

Hans Klok “Hurricane” – Spectacular magic show with variety acts and dancers. Theater Carre, Oct 11th – 17th.

Amsterdam Dance Event – International conference and festival for electronic music. Oct 20th – 23rd. More than 700 artists will be performing in 40 clubs.

Cinekid festival – National film, TV and media event for kids. Includes an international conference for professionals working in the children’s media industry. Oct 20th – 29th.

Fiesta Cubana – Popular monthly salsa dance event at the Badcuyp in Amsterdam (near Albert Cuyp markt) hosted by DJ Arno. €5 entry, next events Sep 3rd and Oct 1st.

Museum Geelvinck – Weekly chamber concerts held every Sunday at 1645 throughout Sep and Oct.

Pop / Rock Concerts

in Amsterdam:

Sep 5th – Dionne Warwick / Sensual – Paradiso
Sep 6th – Limp Bizkit – Heineken Music Hall (HMH)
Sep 13th – Francis Rossi (of Status Quo) – Melkweg
Sep 19th – Korn - HMH
Sep 25th – Amsterdam Reggae Festival – HMH
Sep 28/29th – The Moody Blues – HMH
Oct 8th – Tori Amos & Metropole Orchestra – HMH
Oct 10th – A-Ha – Farewell Tour – HMH
Oct 11th – The Dubliners – Paradiso
Oct 13th – Joe Cocker – HMH
Oct 18th – Steve Miller Band – HMH
Oct 19th – Status Quo – HMH
Oct 20th – Sheryl Crow – HMH
Oct 22nd – Robin Gibb (Bee Gees) – HMH
Oct 23rd – Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Melkweg
Oct 29th – Guitar Night incl. Joe Satriani – HMH
Oct 29th – Jamiroquai – Paradiso

Other concerts in Netherlands:

Sep 16th – Paul Weller – Tivoli, Utrecht
Sep 17th – Peter Gabriel – GelreDome, Arnhem
Oct 3rd – Guns N’ Roses – GelreDome, Arnhem
Oct 4th – Supertramp – GelreDome, Arnhem
Oct 5th – Santana – GelreDome, Arnhem
Oct 13th – Jeff Beck – Vredenburg, Utrecht
Oct 14th – Steve Winwood – Vredenburg, Utrecht
Oct 15-16th – Sting & orchestra – GelreDome, Arnhem
Oct 19th – ZZ Top – Go Planet, Enschede

Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam up to 80% off standard rates? Then check out our Amsterdam Hotel page.

A guide to what’s happening in Amsterdam in July and August 2010. The height of summer is a wonderful time to be in Amsterdam – take in one of the city’s many festivals or concerts, check out a museum exhibition or chill out and hit the beach. August sees the Sail 2010 tall ships extravaganza.

Museums / Exhibitions

Hermitage Amsterdam – Matisse to Malevich: Pioneers of Modern Art from the Hermitage – includes works by Matisse, Picasso, De Vlaminck, Derain and others.  Running through the summer (ends September).

Rijksmuseum – Miró & Jan Steen together for the first time – Dutch interiors by Miró who visited Netherlands in the late 1920s. Runs June 17th to September 13th 2010.

Amsterdam Historical Museum – The Hoerengracht – Installation representing Amsterdam’s red-light district by Edward & Nancy Kienholz. Ends August 28th.

Tropenmuseum – Africa Scores – Interactive World Cup exhibition. Reportage and photos from every match in South Africa. The Tropentheater will be transformed into an African Sports Cafe showing live matches. Until August 22nd.

Rembrandt House – Frans Lodewijk Pannekoek : Printmaker – Prints from this Dutch artist (1934 -) including landscapes, animals and portraits. To October 3rd.

Dutch Resistance Museum – Love in Wartime – Looking at the human side of WW2 where love blossomed under harsh living conditions. New long-term exhibition runs til April 2011.

Jewish Historical Museum – Jewish art exhibitions from Mayer July (Colorful Memories of a Polish Childhood) and Charlotte Salomon. Until October 10th.

Allard Pierson Museum – The Stone Frontier – Photo exhibition of Hadrian’s Wall (near the England-Scotland border) built by the Romans 2000 years ago. Runs to August 29th.

Museums of Bags and Purses – Crystal loves Leather – Swarovski crystals on bags and accessories. Runs until August 29th.

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

Sport in Amsterdam / Netherlands

FC Ajax vs Chelsea – Pre-season friendly with the Premier League champions visiting the Amsterdam ArenA. Friday July 23rd, kick-off 1800.

Ajax vs Roda JC - Ajax’s first home league game  of the new 2010/11 Eredivisie season. Amsterdam ArenA, August 21st, kick-off 2045.

Dutch “NK” Athletics Championships – Olympic Stadium Amsterdam – July 17th/18th.

Tour De France – The start of this year’s cycling race will be held in Rotterdam. The Prologue on Saturday July 3rd will be an 8.9km time trial around the city. Stage 1 on July 4th sees the riders on a 223km ride from Rotterdam to Brussels via Zeeland.

Amsterdam Open – International EAP Athletics Meet – Olympic Stadium Amsterdam – August 7th.

Cricket matches in Netherlands:

Netherlands – Derbyshire – July 30th – Excelsior’20 in Schiedam*
Netherlands – Yorkshire – August 1st – Excelsior’20 in Schiedam*
Netherlands – Northants – August 22nd – VOC Rotterdam
(* near Rotterdam)

Other events in Amsterdam

Sail 2010 – Major tall ship event held every 5 years. August 19th – 23rd.

Over het Ij Festival – Summer theatre festival held around the waterfront of the Ij river. Main stage at the NDSM wharf (Amsterdam North), accessible by free city ferry. July 1st to 11th.

Julidans - International contemporary dance festival in Amsterdam. Held at various theatre venues: Stadsschouwburg, Paradiso, Bellevue, Melkweg, Bijlmer Parktheater and Vondelpark’s open-air theatre. July 1st to 14th.

Fiesta Cubana – DJ Arno hosts a popular monthly salsa dance party at the Badcuyp (Eerste Sweelinckstraat 10, just off Albert Cuyp straat). Next event on July 2nd (2200 – 0245) – entry €5. (Note, no event in August).

Sensation – World renowned DJ dance event and stage show. Amsterdam ArenA – July 3rd (note, tickets are sold out)

De Parade – Mobile theatre festival which visits Rotterdam, the Hague, Utrecht and Amsterdam. The Amsterdam event will take place over 2 weeks at Martin Luther King park (Rivierenbuurt, take tram 25) where theatre tents will be set up and dozens of performances take place.  August 6th to 22nd.

Loveland Festival – Big DJ dance festival event to be held at Sloterpark in the western suburbs of Amsterdam on August 14th.

Grachten Festival – “Canal festival” featuring young classical music performers at venues throughout Amsterdam. August 14th to 22nd.

Uitmarkt – Largest cultural festival in Netherlands taking place in Amsterdam centre. 3 main stages will be located at Dam square, Nieuwmarkt and close to the Muziektheater. August 27th – 29th. Free.

Concertgebouw – BBC National Orchestra of Wales – play 2 concerts (various composers) on August 4th / 5th. European Union Youth Orchestra – Dvorák vioilin concerto /Tchaikovski 6th on August 20th. Plus full concert agenda daily at the Concertgebouw.

Westerkerk – Free lunchtime organ concert every Friday at 1300. Plus
Geen Dag Zonder Bach (No Day Without Bach) – daily between August 2nd to 7th at 1240 – voluntary contributions appreciated.

Vondelpark - Free open air concerts to be held every weekend during summer. Friday evenings, Saturday & Sundays.

Pop / Rock Concerts in Amsterdam

July 2nd – Faithless - Live at Westerpark
July 4th/10th – Anouk - Live at Westerpark
July 5th – Scissor Sisters – Paradiso
July 8th/9th – Marco Borsato – Live at Westerpark
July 12th – Billy Idol – Paradiso
July 19th – Morcheeba – Paradiso
August 4th – The Dandy Warhols – Paradiso
August 18th – Goldfrapp – Paradiso
August 31st – Robin Gibb (Bee Gees Hits) – Heineken Music Hall

City Beaches

NEMO – On the roof of the Science Museum (at Oosterdok 2) with cool views of Amsterdam.

Ijburg Strand – Blijburg aan Zee can be reached by tram 26 (end of the line) – a real sandy beach on the Ij water.

Strand West – City beach pavilion located at Stavangerweg 900 in west Amsterdam near Houthavens (Westerpark).

Strand Zuid – City beach pavilion located at Europaplein 22 near Beatrixplein and RAI.

Alternatively head over to real beaches at Zandvoort or Bloemendaal – great to watch the sunset and have a meal on a summer evening.

Book Your Hotel in Amsterdam

Try to book your hotel well in advance to secure the lowest rates, particularly when attending any major events in Amsterdam. For a great selection of hotels at rates up to 80% off please click here.

(Note: Comments Closed)

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.

Update – Photos from Friday August 20th: