A look at various events happening in and around Amsterdam during September and October 2009. While autumn will soon be upon us the weather can still be particularly good in Netherlands during September. Now is an excellent time to book a late summer / early autumn visit to Amsterdam.

Museums / Exhibitions

Hermitage Amsterdam
“At The Russian Court” – Palace and Protocol in the 19th Century. The newly refurbished and expanded Hermitage Amsterdam recently opened its doors. This exhibition will run to January 2010.

Rijksmuseum Schiphol
“The Art of Flying” – Bird paintings by Dutch artist Melchior d’Hondecoeter (1636-1695). Runs to October 26th.

Museum of Bags and Purses
“Made in Britain” – designer bags on show from UK.
From September 7th onwards to February 21st 2010.

Tropenmuseum
“Greetings From“: Historical Postcards of (Tropical) Illnesses and Treatments. Not for the faint-hearted! Runs to November 29th.

Dutch Resistance Museum
“Season ‘40-’45” – Football during World War II.
Runs throughout 2009 to April 2010.

Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)
Oman: Cultural exhibition with 250 objects.
Starts October 17th running to April 18th 2010.

Oude Kerk (Old Church)
Short photo exhibition: 25 years Doctors Without Borders
September 8th-13th 2009.

Jewish Historical Museum
Morocco: Photo exhibition of Jews in southern Morocco.
Runs until September 18th.

Museum Geelvinck
“Paintings and mixed media by Kay Yoshiya”
Japanese artist, September 6th to October 23rd.

FOAM Photography Museum
Massimo Vitali exhibition – beach photos from Italy and Turkey. Runs until September 9th.

Beurs van Berlage
“The Complete Rembrandt - Life size” Using special digital reconstruction this popular exhibition brings over 600 of Rembrandt’s paintings and drawings together for the first time. Runs to September 6th.

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

Festivals

Dutch Theatre Festival
Various performances, some with English subtitles.
Stadsschouwburg + various theatres, September 3rd – 13th.

Valtifest
Open air tent festival with music, DJs, dance.
NDSM-wharf, September 5th.

Gospel Festival
Heineken Music Hall, September 5th-6th.

Jordaan Festival
Dutch Music at Marnixstraat/ Elandsgracht
September 18th – 20th.

Cinekid
International Film, TV, Media Festival for children.
Westergasfabriek, October 14th – 23rd.

Amstedam Dance Festival / Conference
Dance events in clubs/venues all over the city in conjunction with electronic music conference
October 21st-24th.

Other Events

IBC Conference / Exhibition
International event for electronic media industry
Amsterdam RAI, September 10th – 15th.

PICNIC conference
International Media / Tech conference with speakers
and informal festival atmosphere.
Westergasfabriek, September 23rd – 25th.

Woonbeurs
House/Home Exhibition
Amsterdam RAI, September 30th – October 5th.

Sport

Ajax home league matches – Amsterdam ArenA:
September 13th – Ajax vs NAC Breda
September 27th – Ajax vs ADO Den Haag
October 17th – Ajax vs Willem II

Concerts

September 5th – Andre Rieu – Amsterdam ArenA
September 17th – Tori Amos - Heineken Music Hall
September 21st – McFly - Paradiso
October 4th/5th/6th – Kane - Paradiso
October 5th – The Dubliners – Paradiso
October 11th – The Cult – Heineken Music Hall
October 13th – Pixies - Heineken Music Hall
October 20th – Joan Baez – Koninklijk Theater Carré
October 25th – Lily Allen – Heineken Music Hall
October 27th – Massive Attack – Heineken Music Hall

Other big names in the rest of Netherlands…

September 9th/10th – Coldplay – De Goffert, Nijmegen
October 6th – Tom Jones – Ahoy, Rotterdam
October 13th – Fleetwood Mac – Ahoy, Rotterdam
October 16th – Green Day – Ahoy, Rotterdam
October 17th – Elton John – Ahoy, Rotterdam
October 27th/28th – Eros Ramazzotti – Ahoy, Rotterdam

Amsterdam hosts an international football friendly match on August 12th as Netherlands take on England at the Amsterdam ArenA. Tickets are available from the Dutch FA (KNVB) from €27.50 to €60. Netherlands (FIFA ranked 3) have already qualified for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, whilst England (FIFA no.7) are almost there. This should hopefully be an interesting encounter between 2 quality sides who normally play positive, attacking football.

The day before at 1930 on 11th August, there is also an Under 21 international between Netherlands (Jong Oranje) and England, who were runners-up in this year’s European championships. The match will be at the Euroborg Stadium in Groningen, around 2 hours 20 minute train ride from Amsterdam Central. If you wish to attend the match tickets cost only €8 or €10 from the KNVB.

The normal train fare from Amsterdam to Groningen costs €42.30 per person for a day return. TIP: You could buy a special Summer Day Tour (“ZomerToer”) for €39.50 for 2 people travelling in 1st class. Travel must be after 9am on weekdays and you can go anywhere all day on the Dutch rail network. (The normal 1st class price for 2 people to Groningen would be around €140!) Available for purchase at any station.

Getting to Amsterdam from UK is relatively easy and most people arrive by air at Schiphol airport – there are many budget flights from the likes of Easyjet, Jet 2, Transavia as well as mainline carriers British Airways, bmi and KLM. Note, Ryanair fly to Eindhoven airport. You can also reach Amsterdam by train (Eurostar + Thalys/Intercity), Eurolines coaches or ferry.

If you are looking for accommodation in Amsterdam, whether a dorm bed or private room / appartment then check out our Amsterdam Budget Accommodation page. If you want a decent hotel then look at our Amsterdam Hotels page with some recommendations and booking engine with competitive prices and no hidden fees.

UPDATE: Results
Netherlands 2-2 England
Netherlands U21 0-0 Engalnd U21

The Amsterdam Tournament is a pre-season football (soccer) tournament which local club FC Ajax hosts 3 other European clubs. This year’s guests at the Amsterdam ArenA stadium will be Sunderland, Atletico Madrid and Benfica.

The format of the tournament is rather unique, with 2 matches played on Friday evening (1900 and 2115, July 24th) and another 2 matches on the Sunday evening (1900 and 2115, July 26th). Having a ticket for one evening entitles you to watch both matches.

The points scoring is also unique with 1 bonus point for each goal scored to reward positive football. Ajax will be hoping to improve on last season’s 3rd place finish in the Eredivisie (Dutch first division) under new manager Martin Jol, although they were the league’s top scorers.

This will be Sunderland’s first visit to the Amsterdam tournament (after regular visitors Arsenal pulled out) and gives new Black Cats manager Steve Bruce a chance to test his squad against Euro opposition.

Atletico Madrid – appearing for the 3rd time since the tournament was reformed in 1999 – were La Liga’s 4th placed team, and 3rd top scorers behind only Barcelona and arch rivals Real Madrid.

Benfica also debut at Amsterdam – having come 3rd in the Portuguese Liga.

Tickets are currently on sale for Ajax members and will go on public sale on June 20th. You can purchase online at official seller Ticketbox. (Note, there are a few other reseller websites which will sell you tickets at a hefty mark-up).

Getting to Amsterdam – For Sunderland fans there are KLM flights to Amsterdam from Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley. There is a DFDS Seaways ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam.

There are a number of direct flights to Amsterdam from both Madrid and Lisbon.

Things To Do – Amsterdam has plenty to keep you occupied. In terms of football related things there is an Ajax Museum at the ArenA as well as a stadium tour (however tours are not possible on match days). For more check out our article here: Ajax Museum / ArenA Tour which also has info on how to get to the stadium by public transport.

The Dutch Resistance Museum (address: Plantage Kerklaan 61, trams 9 or 14) in the east of the city currently has a small exhibition called “Football ‘40 – ‘45″ which looks at football during the second world war. The exhibition is in Dutch but there are laminated folders available with full translations in English.

UPDATE: Benfica won the tournament with 11 points, 2nd Ajax (6pts), 3rd Sunderland (5), 4th Atletico (4). Match results were:

Benfica 2-0 Sunderland
Ajax 3-3 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid 0-2 Sunderland
Ajax 2-3 Benfica

A look at events happening in and around Amsterdam during July and August 2009.

Museums / Exhibitions

Amsterdam Historisch Museum
“Old Masters of Amsterdam” exhibition including paintings from Rembrandt, Flinck etc. Runs until August 9th. “50 years of Barbie” exhibition runs to August 30th.

Rijksmuseum Schiphol
“The Art of Flying” – Bird paintings by Dutch artist Melchior d’Hondecoeter (1636-1695). Runs throughout July / August to October 26th.

Amsterdam Discovered by NY Photographers
Photos of the city by 4 New York photographers.
Part of the 400 year celebration of the “discovery” of Manhattan.
Stadsarchief Amsterdam (Vijzelstraat 32) and FOAM museum
Running to August 23rd.

FOAM Photography Museum
Massimo Vitali exhibition – interesting photos with the subject being large groups of people undertaking leisure activities – mainly taken at beaches in Italy and Turkey. Runs throughout summer till September 9th. Also at FOAM, Guy Tillim exhibition (to August 29th) – variety of striking urban photos taken in Africa.

Beurs van Berlage
“The Complete Rembrandt – Life size” Using special digital reconstruction techniques this exhibition brings more than 600 of Rembrandt’s paintings and drawings together for the first time.
Runs from July 4th to September 6th.

Hermitage Amsterdam
“At The Russian Court” – Palace and Protocol in the 19th Century. The newly refurbished and expanded Hermitage Amsterdam opened its doors on June 20th 2009. Exhibition will run to January 2010

Van Gogh Museum
“Avant-Gardes ‘20 / ‘60” – Comprising highlights of the modern art collection from the next-door Stedelijk Museum, which is undergoing renovation. The exhibition looks at the development of twentieth century art in the 1920s and 1960s. From June 26th to August 23rd.

Dutch Resistance Museum
“Season ‘40-’45″ - Football during World War II.
Runs throughout 2009 to April 2010.

Festivals

JuliDans
Summer festival for international contemporary dance.
Many events at various locations including Paradiso, Melkweg, Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, Theater Bellevue and Vondelpark outdoor theatre. From July 1st to July 11th.

Live At Westerpark – Concert festival
July 2nd – Joss Stone /Jason Mraz
July 3rd – Simply Red
July 4th – Lenny Kravitz
July 5th – Anouk
At the Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek.

“Over het Ij” Festival
Summer theatre festival at the NDSM wharf with over 25 performances over 11 days. From July 2nd to July 12th.

Parade
Big arts festival with theatre, music, film, dance and art which takes place at Martin Luther King Park in Amsterdam between July 31st and August 16th. The festival actually runs during June / July and visits Rotterdam, Den Haag, Amersfoort and Utrecht before ending at Amsterdam.

Grachten Festival
Classical music festival showcasing young talent. This year is staged at the Hermitage Amsterdam and other canal locations between August 15th and August 23rd.

UitMarkt
The biggest arts festival in Netherlands marks the opening of the cultural season. Various podia around Amsterdam including Dam Square and Nieuwmarkt. Up to half a million visitors expected.
Weekend of August 28th, 29th and 30th.

Vondel Park
Free open air concerts throughout July and August held on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. Vondel Park Openluchttheater. Reservations are possible for €2.50.

Sport

4 Nations Cup
Women’s Football Tournament with Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa and China – Olympic Stadium Amsterdam, July 11th to 15th

Amsterdam Tournament 2009
Pre-season football tournament at Amsterdam ArenA featuring Ajax, Sunderland, Atletico Madrid and Benfica.
July 24th to 26th.

Dutch “NK” Athletics Championships
Olympic Stadium Amsterdam – August 1st-2nd

Netherlands-England International Football Friendly
August 12th, Amsterdam ArenA

Other major sporting events in Netherlands and beyond…

Judo World Championship
August 26th-30th Ahoy Rotterdam

There is no longer a Formula 1 race in Netherlands but on August 30th the Belgian F1 GP takes place at Spa-Francorchamps.

Concerts

July 6th – Crosby, Stills & Nash – Heineken Music Hall
July 7th – Brian Wilson – Paradiso
July 7th – Dave Matthews Band – Heineken Music Hall
July 8th – Nine Inch Nails – Heineken Music Hall
July 11th – Tracy Chapman – Heineken Music Hall
July 14th – Moby – Melkweg
July 20th / 21st – U2 360 Tour (plus Snow Patrol) – Amsterdam ArenA
July 30th – Los Lobos – Paradiso
August 14th – Billy Ocean – Paradiso
August 16th – Sinead O’Connor – Paradiso
August 31st – Macy Gray – Paradiso