May is a great time to visit Amsterdam, with pleasant late-spring temperatures and plenty to see and do.
Check out our insider guide to other things going on in and around the city for May 2024.
Springtime in the Netherlands
Keukenhof Gardens – The world famous tulip and flower park is a must-visit and is now open for the 2024 spring season – running 21 Mar to 12 May 2024. See Keukenhof info here or book Keukenhof entry+shuttle bus from Amsterdam here
Museums, Exhibitions & Attractions in Amsterdam (May 2024)
Fabrique des Lumières – Immersive exhibitions of classical, modern and contemporary artists using cutting-edge technology with light projections and music. New exhibition is Dutch Masters, From Vermeer to Van Gogh with works from renowned Dutch artists. Alongside there is a short program Mondriaan, An Abundance of Colour. Runs 22 Mar to 5 Jul 2024. Book Fabrique des Lumières tickets here
STRAAT – A unique experience. The world’s biggest street art and graffiti museum in a 8,000 square metres warehouse at NDSM wharf and showcasing some 180 artworks, all made on-site. Book STRAAT tickets here
Amaze Amsterdam – An immersive audio-visual experience with 7 stages which varies from intense, interactive to relaxing. Located in an old industrial nightclub in Amsterdam’s West Port district. Book Amaze Amsterdam tickets here
Our House – A museum of electronic music culture in the centre of Amsterdam. Take a 75 minute digital storytelling journey and explore the evolution of dance music via interactive installations. The Defining Moments Exhibit covers 4 decades of electronic music from Kraftwerk to superstar DJ’s. Book Our House tickets here
Nxt Museum – The first “new media art” museum in the Netherlands which has large-scale, multi-sensory immersive exhibitions. Located in the Amsterdam North district, open daily. Book Nxt Museum tickets here
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam – Get your celebrity fill by visiting the ever-popular wax work museum on Dam Square. Book Madame Tussauds Amsterdam tickets here
Amsterdam Dungeon – Interactive show featuring excellent actors and audience participation. Takes you through dark dungeon-themed rooms from Amsterdam’s murky past – scary but with a comic element. Book Amsterdam Dungeon tickets here
Da Vinci Genius – A new immersive art experience showcasing the works of Leonardo Da Vinci including the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Uses interactive technology and floor-to-ceiling projections. Runs 30 Nov 2023 to 30 Aug 2024. Book Da Vinci Genius tickets here
Rijksmuseum – The Rijksmuseum’s rich collection (including Rembrandt’s Night Watch) is a must-see in Amsterdam. Frans Hals, major retrospective exhibition of the renowned 17th century painter featuring some 50 of his finest works. Runs 16 Feb to 9 Jun 2024. Book Rijksmuseum tickets here
Van Gogh Museum – Popular museum with the world’s largest collection of Vincent van Gogh paintings. Matthew Wong / Vincent van Gogh: Painting as a Last Resort, exhibition of the late Chinese-Canadian artist who had much in common with Van Gogh. Runs 1 Mar to 1 Sep 2024. Book Van Gogh Museum tickets here
Anne Frank House – The canal house on Amsterdam’s Prinsengracht canal where Anne Frank wrote her famous teenage wartime diary whilst hiding from German occupation. Book an Anne Frank walking tour including House entry here
WONDR Experience – A fun and immersive pop-up experience in Amsterdam for both adults and children alike. Book WONDR tickets here
The Upside Down Museum Amsterdam – Large interactive museum and Instagram experience which includes 25 mind-bending rooms. Located near RAI Amsterdam. Book Upside Down Museum tickets here
Stedelijk – Amsterdam’s main modern and contemporary art museum. Marina Abramović, first major solo exhibition in the Netherlands of the internationally acclaimed, controversial artist. Runs 16 Mar to 14 Jul 2024. Book your Stedelijk tickets here
House of Bols – The Cocktail & Genever Experience about the Lucas Bols brand, which has been making liqueurs in Amsterdam since 1575. Book House of Bols tickets here
MOCO Museum – The popular modern and contemporary art museum on Museumplein with many works by Banksy. Robbie Williams: Pride and Self-Prejudice, exhibition from the UK singer-songwriter of artworks on mental health. Runs 8 Mar to 8 Jul 2024. Book MOCO Museum tickets here
Rembrandt’s Amsterdam Experience – A video art experience about the life of the famous painter and reconstruction of Rembrandt’s studio on Rozengracht. Book Rembrandt’s Amsterdam Experience tickets here
Rembrandt House – Visit the house where Rembrandt lived and worked. Directed by Rembrandt, exhibition showcasing the close connection between Rembrandt’s art and Amsterdam’s theatre scene. Runs 2 Mar to 26 May 2024. Book Rembrandt House tickets here
H’ART Museum – The renamed former Hermitage Museum presents its inaugural exhibition Julius Caesar, I came, I saw, I met my doom – about the life of the iconic Roman general. Runs 16 Sep 2023 to 20 May 2024.
Museum of the Mind (Outsider Art) – Who Cares? A tribute to victims and care heroes during WWII – in the fields of psychiatry and mental health care. Exhibition on view within the H’ART Museum, runs until 1 Dec 2024.
Wereldmuseum Amsterdam – Ethnographic museum (formerly Tropenmuseum) featuring fascinating exhibitions on non-Western cultures. Book Wereldmuseum Amsterdam tickets here
Allard Pierson Museum – Face to Face: The People Behind Mummy Portraits, exhibition about ancient Egyptian mummy portraits. Runs 6 Oct 2023 to 20 May 2024. Book Allard Pierson tickets here
Oude Kerk – Amsterdam’s Old Church presents Ana Navas: A veil as a glaze, exhibition of glass works reminiscent of stained glass from the Middle Ages. Runs 25 May to 25 Aug 2024. Book Oude Kerk tickets
Fashion For Good Museum – What Goes Around Comes Around, final exhibition from the museum about fashion innovation and circularity. Runs until 26 May 2024, the museum will permanently close and become a co-working space. Book Fashion For Good tickets here
EYE Filmmuseum – Paravel & Castaing-Taylor – Cosmic Realism, retrospective exhibition featuring the anthropological works of Véréna Paravel and Lucien Castaing-Taylor. Runs 20 Jan to 20 May 2024. Book EYE Film Museum tickets here
De Nieuwe Kerk – World Press Photo Exhibition 2024, annual exhibition of the current affairs photography contest inside Amsterdam’s New Church. Runs 19 Apr to 14 Jul 2024.
Royal Palace – Visit the grand Royal Palace on Dam Square including the impressive Citizen’s Hall. Book Royal Palace tickets here
Huis Marseille – Lisa Oppenheim Spolia, solo presentation from the American artist; Deborah Turbeville Photocollage, major retrospective of the late American artist. Both running 16 Mar to 16 Jun 2024.
Body Worlds – Display of human body plastinate specimens at the permanent venue on Damrak. The exhibition focuses on happiness. Book Body Worlds tickets here
ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo – One of the city’s premier visitor attractions – a magnificent zoo set in a large park in the picturesque Plantage area of the city. Book Artis Zoo tickets here
ARTIS Groote Museum – The fascinating new Groote Museum allows you to explore your place in the living world with beautifully presented installations and exhibits. Book Groote Museum tickets here
ARTIS Micropia – The world’s only museum dedicated to microbes and micro-organisms. Book Micropia tickets here
Framer Framed – The One-Straw Revolution, exhibition on alternative ecology, exploring sustainable futures through artistic practices. Runs 11 Feb to 19 May 2024. Free entry
COBRA (Amstelveen) – Cobra 75: A Cry for Freedom! Exhibition celebrating 75 years of the Cobra art movement. Runs 20 Oct 2023 to 12 May 2024. Anton Corbijn – MOØDe, exhibition from the Dutch photographer, exploring the crossover between photography and the world of fashion – includes lots of celebrity photos. Runs 22 Dec 2023 to 20 May 2024.
Rijksmuseum Schiphol – Amsterdam airport hosts a small selection of works from the Rijksmuseum collection. The museum is located on Holland Boulevard (between Lounges 2 and 3 in non-Schengen departures) and is open 24 hours a day to passengers. Free entry
Amsterdam City Passes
These all inclusive passes may save you money on a well planned Amsterdam itinerary.
| Most museums + city transport | Includes Keukenhof + other tours |
| I amsterdam City Card | GO City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass |
 |  |
| 1/2/3/4/5 days | 2/3/5 days |
| 24 hours basis | calendar day basis |
| €60/€85/€100/€115/€125 | €104/€124/€169 |
| 70 museums + transport + canal cruise + bike rental | Over 25 attractions/tours + canal cruise + bike rental |
| excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / tours | excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / transport |
| Book here | Book here |
| I amsterdam City Card info | GO City Amsterdam Pass info |
Sport in Amsterdam and the Netherlands (May 2024)
Football:
Ajax home fixtures at Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam:
Ajax vs Almere City 12 May 2024 (1645)
It is possible to take a classic stadium tour of the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. Book Johan Cruijff Arena Tour tickets here
See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam
Festivals in Amsterdam (May 2024)
Rolling Kitchens – The Rollende Keukens food festival features dozens of mobile kitchens and food trucks offering appetising dishes plus live music. 16th edition is expected 8-12 May 2024 (1300-2300) at Westerpark in Amsterdam. Free entry
Amsterdam Art Week – This event features various art exhibitions, performances, screenings, debates and gallery tours. 12th edition is expected 29 May to 2 Jun 2024 at various galleries and project spaces around Amsterdam.
See our complete festival calendar for Amsterdam
Fairs & Expos in Amsterdam
Art On Paper Amsterdam – Fair which features artwork made with paper using pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, watercolor, gouache or collage. Runs 9-12 May 2024 at Gashouder Amsterdam.
Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam
Boom Chicago – Comedy and improv shows in English playing regularly at Rozentheater on Rozengracht. Book a Boom Chicago show
Amsterdam Magic Show – Monthly magic and comedy show with international performers. At Boom Chicago’s Rozentheater, Rozengracht in Amsterdam. 2 May 2024 (1930). Book the Amsterdam Magic Show here
Lewis Black – The two-time Grammy award winning US comedian and actor performs his Off The Rail show at Meervaart Theater in Amsterdam on 14 May 2024.
Classical Concerts & Theatre in Amsterdam
Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA) – Amsterdam’s renowned theatre company performs shows in Dutch which have live English surtitles above the stage – for Thursday night shows at the Stadsschouwburg theatre.
Other Events in Amsterdam and Netherlands
Amsterdam Dinner Cruise – Enjoy the lighter evenings by taking a 120 minute cruise around Amsterdam’s canals with a 3 course meal and drinks. Runs every Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat (1930) in May. Check Dinner Cruise availability here
National Remembrance Day – Ceremony commemorating the war dead, held in Dam Square on 4 May. A 2 minute silence is held nationwide at 2000.
Netherlands Public Holidays – Thursday 9 May 2024 (Ascension Day), Monday 20 May 2024 (Whit Monday).
Market Events in Amsterdam
Pure Markt – Regular market event with high quality produce, music, food stalls and other activities. 12 May 2024 (1100-1800) at Amstelpark, 19 May 2024 (1100-1800) at Amsterdamse Bos and 26 May 2024 (1100-1800) at Park Frankendael. Free entry
Sunday Market – Market events with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. 12 May 2024 (1100-1700) at De Hallen Free entry
Museum Market – Museumplein hosts this Sunday market with arts and crafts, food and music. 19 May 2024 (1000-1800). Free entry
IJ-Hallen – Large weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam with 750 stands. 4-5 May 2024 (0900-1630).
The Maker Market – Weekend market features creative handmade products including jewelry, art and live music. Runs in the covered passage of De Hallen Amsterdam on 25 May 2024 (1100-1700) and 26 May 2024 (1200-1700). Free entry
Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam (May 2024)
Nick Mulvey – 6/7 May, Paradiso
J Balvin – 8 May, Ziggo Dome
Fun Lovin’ Criminals – 18 May, Melkweg
I Prevail – 19 May, AFAS Live
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – 23 May, AFAS Live
Olivia Rodrigo – 24/25 May, Ziggo Dome
Nickelback – 26 May, Ziggo Dome
TOOL – 27 May, Ziggo Dome
Anouk – 29/31 May, Ziggo Dome
Amsterdam Transport Passes
The following multi-day transport tickets can help you get to the various events in and around Amsterdam:
| Best Value & Validity | Best for AMS airport | Best for Excursions |
 |  |  |
| GVB Day/Multi-Day tickets | Amsterdam Travel Ticket | Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket |
| 1/2/3/4/5/6/7 days | 1/2/3 days | 1/2/3 days |
| €9-€41 | €18/€24/€30 | €21/€31.50/€40.50 |
| Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam | Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam | Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam |
| – | Valid on Schiphol airport train + 397 airport bus | Valid on Schiphol airport train + 397 airport bus |
| – | – | Valid on regional NS trains + EBS/Connexxion/Arriva buses in region |
| 24 hours basis | Calendar day basis | Calendar day basis |
| Digital + Card versions | Card only | Card only |
| Order here | Order here | Order here |
| more info | more info | more info |
The AmsterdamTips.com What’s On in Amsterdam has been running monthly since 2008. Disclaimer: While we make every effort to keep this listing up-to-date, events can always be cancelled or re-scheduled at short notice. Please double-check with the event organisers.
Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.
