What’s On in Amsterdam April 2024

Here is our insider guide to what’s on in Amsterdam, Netherlands during April 2024. There’s normally lots going on in the city and whilst the weather can vary there should be a few good, sunny days. The month ends with the King’s Day celebrations…

Springtime in the Netherlands

Keukenhof Gardens – The world famous tulip and flower park is a must-visit and opens for the 2024 spring season – 21 Mar to 12 May 2024. Book your 2024 Keukenhof entry + shuttle bus from Amsterdam here

Museums, Exhibitions & Attractions in Amsterdam (April 2024)

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. Book Our House 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 150 artworks, all made on-site. Book your STRAAT tickets here

Amaze Amsterdam – An immersive audio-visual experience with 7 stages which varies from intense, interactive to relaxing. Excellent for groups. Located in an old industrial nightclub in Amsterdam’s West Port district. Book Amaze Amsterdam 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

Rijksmuseum – The Rijksmuseum’s rich collection (including Rembrandt’s Night Watch) is a must-see in Amsterdam. Book Rijksmuseum tickets here

Van Gogh Museum – Popular museum with the world’s largest collection of Vincent van Gogh paintings. Book Van Gogh Museum tickets here

RTXP Amsterdam – Colourful new art experience museum in Amsterdam which shows replicas of 50 of the world’s most famous paintings. Book RTXP Amsterdam tickets here

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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.

[For further insight, book an Anne Frank walking tour here which lasts 2 hours and explores Amsterdam’s Jewish quarter]

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Stedelijk – Amsterdam’s main modern and contemporary art museum. STEDELIJK BASE is the permanent installation featuring around 400 pieces. Book your Stedelijk tickets here

De Nieuwe Kerk – World Press Photo Exhibition 2024, annual exhibition of the current affairs photography contest. Expected from April 2024, dates to be announced.

MOCO Museum – The popular modern and contemporary art museum on Museumplein. Banksy: Laugh Now has a diverse works from the anonymous British street artist. Modern and Contemporary Masters features art from the likes of Warhol, Basquiat and Koons. Plus an exhibition of NFT art. Book MOCO Museum tickets here

Rembrandt House – Visit the house where Rembrandt lived and worked. Book Rembrandt House tickets here

Rembrandt’s Amsterdam Experience – A multimedia art experience about the life of the famous painter and reconstruction of Rembrandt’s studio on Rozengracht. Book Rembrandt’s Amsterdam Experience 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

WONDR Experience – A fun and immersive pop-up experience in Amsterdam for both adults and children alike. Book WONDR tickets here

Tropenmuseum – Ethnographic museum featuring fascinating exhibitions on non-Western cultures. Plastic Crush, exhibition about the world’s changing relationship with plastic, from useful product to plastic waste. Runs 5 Nov 2022 to 1 Sep 2024. Book Tropenmuseum tickets here

Fashion For Good Museum – Learn where your clothes come from and discover the innovations shaping the future of fashion. Book Fashion For Good tickets here

Royal Palace – Visit the grand Royal Palace on Dam Square including the impressive Citizen’s Hall. Book Royal Palace tickets here

Body Worlds – Display of human body plastinate specimens at the permanent venue on Damrak. The exhibition focuses on happiness. Book Body Worlds tickets here

Micropia – The world’s only museum dedicated to microbes and micro-organisms. Book Micropia 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

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.

Sport in Amsterdam and Netherlands (April 2024)

Football:
Ajax home fixtures at Johan Cruijff ArenA Amsterdam:
Ajax vs Go Ahead Eagles 3 Apr 2024 (tba)
Ajax vs FC Twente 14 Apr 2024 (tba)
Ajax vs Excelsior 28 Apr 2024 (tba)

It is possible to take a classic stadium tour of the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. Book Johan Cruijff Arena Tour tickets here

Athletics/Running:
NN Rotterdam Marathon – This big marathon event in the Netherlands normally attracts over 20,000 competitors including a field of world-class athletes. The 43rd edition is scheduled for 14 Apr 2024.

Darts:
Premier League – The invitational Premier League of darts event is expected to return to the Netherlands in April 2024 at Ahoy Rotterdam, dates to be confirmed.

Korfball:
League Finals – Ball sport (kind of netball-basketball cross) invented in the Netherlands. League finals day will be in April 2024 at Ahoy Rotterdam, dates to be confirmed.

See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam

Festivals in Amsterdam (April 2024)

Tulp Festival – This festivals brings displays of tulips across the entire city during the month of April 2024.

Amsterdam Coffee Festival – A festival event for coffee lovers and industry professionals featuring artisan coffee, gourmet food stalls, barista demonstrations, live music and art exhibitions. Runs 4-6 Apr 2024 at Westergas, Amsterdam.

Kingsland Festival – One day dance events at RAI in Amsterdam and Zuiderpark in Rotterdam. These are the largest King’s Day festival events in the Netherlands. Runs on 27 Apr 2024.

Kaboom Animation Festival – Cutting-edge films from experimental art-house to colorful stories for families and kids. To be held in various cinemas in Amsterdam and Utrecht. Runs 5-14 Apr 2024.

Check out our complete festival calendar for Amsterdam

Fairs & Expos in Amsterdam (April 2024)

International Amsterdam Motor Show – The biggest motor show in the Netherlands to be held at RAI Amsterdam in April 2024, dates to be confirmed.

IAMExpat Fair 2024 – One-day event connecting the expat community with various stands, workshops and presentations. Date/venue in April 2024 to be confirmed.

Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam (April 2024)

Boom Chicago – Comedy and improv shows in English playing regularly at Rozentheater on Rozengracht.

Classical Concerts & Theatre in Amsterdam (April 2024)

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 – 120 minute evening cruise around Amsterdam’s canals with a 3 course meal and drinks. Runs every Thu/Fri/Sat (1930) in April. Check Dinner Cruise availability here

Easter 2024 – Public holiday in the Netherlands on 1 Apr (Easter Monday).

De Balie – The multimedia venue near Leidseplein in Amsterdam hosts regular events about current affairs, politics and culture.

Market Events in Amsterdam

Pure Markt – Regular market event with high quality produce, music, food stalls and other activities. Dates to be confirmed. Free entry

Sunday Market – Market events with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. Dates to be confirmed. Free entry

Homeware Market – Monthly market (from the Sunday Market team) in the passage hall of De Hallen Amsterdam with home accessories, art, ceramics, jewellery and fashion. Dates to be confirmed. Free entry

Museum Market – Museumplein hosts this Sunday market with arts and crafts, food and music. Dates to be confirmed. Free entry

IJ-Hallen – Large weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam with 750 stands. Dates to be announced.

Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam

to be announced…

King’s Day (Koningsdag) in Amsterdam 2024

King’s Day 2024 – Koningsdag 2024 is the Dutch national holiday to be held on Saturday 27 April 2024. Following the abdication of Queen Beatrix in 2013 and the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander, the former Queen’s Day celebration has become King’s Day. The date was moved from 30 April, the birthday of the former Queen Juliana to the 27 April, birthday of the current King.

King’s Day is one of the world’s greatest open-air parties – an event everyone should try and experience at least once in their life! Amsterdam goes completely orange crazy with revellers on the streets, in parks and afloat the water. Up to 800,000 visitors used to cram into the centre temporarily doubling the city’s population.

Celebrations actually start the evening before on Friday 26 April 2024 – King’s Night (Koningsnacht) – and then continue all of the next day. On King’s Day morning each year the Dutch Royal family (House of Orange-Nassau) do a walkabout visit around a chosen town in the Netherlands which is shown live on state television.

One of the main highlights of King’s Day in Amsterdam is the citywide free market (vrijmarkt). This is where people set up stalls and sell clothes, food, drinks and just about anything else – from plants, old electronics, vintage items, bric-a-brac and much old tat. Prices are negotiable which is all part of the fun.

Many Amsterdam residents set up shop directly outside their own houses – days before they mark their territory with tape (“bezet” meaning “occupied”). There are also professional traders and opportunists who take advantage of the tax-free trading.

The free market in Amsterdam officially starts from 0600 on King’s Day and goes on all day until 2000. Bargain hunters should get there early.

Note that the city of Utrecht (30 minutes south of Amsterdam by train) starts its free market on King’s Night (26 April) from 1800 – with an authentic and friendly atmosphere, it’s well worth a visit.

For fun and games, children’s clothes, toys and young performers head to the main children’s King’s Day market at Vondelpark (Amsterdam’s main park) which opens at 0900. Other children’s markets can be found (amongst others) at NDSM-wharf, Artisplein, Amstelveld, Bellamyplein, Frederiksplein, Leliegracht, Noorderpark, Rembrandtplein, Sarphatipark and Westerpark.

On King’s Day the festivities continue throughout Amsterdam with the free market, food/drink stalls, concert stages, impromptu street entertainers, party boats and all sorts of weird and wonderful fun.

There are large dance parties planned which are held outside of the centre. These are: Kingsland Festival (RAI Amsterdam), Cartel Kingsday (Westerunie), Loveland van Oranje (Meerpark) and Oranjebloesem (Olympic Stadium). Entry is only for ticket holders, no at-the-door sales.

The best way of getting around Amsterdam on King’s Day is on foot – temporary signposts can guide you to areas of interest.

GVB public transport – Ferries, metro and some buses will operate on King’s day with a standard Saturday timetable. You do require a ticket as normal! Trams run a Saturday timetable with some lines running alternative routes and avoiding the inner centre.

Train services run on a special King’s Day timetable so double check with NS Dutch Railways if planning travel or going to the airport.

If coming to Amsterdam from other parts of the Netherlands by train it is preferable to arrive at Amsterdam Zuid or Amsterdam Amstel station and walk in. Expect Amsterdam stations to be extremely busy with up to a quarter of a million people arriving by train.

Supermarkets do open on King’s Day though hours can be restricted in some branches. Most shops in the city centre will remain closed.

Museums which are open on King’s Day include the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk, STRAAT, MOCO Muueum and Van Gogh Museum. Note that most other museums including FOAM, Maritime Museum, NEMO, Rembrandt House and Tropenmuseum are closed.

Be aware that the city centre can get extremely crowded in some places – expect large crowds to gather on Dam Square and Museumplein. Watch out for pickpockets and be vigilant to new perceived security threats.

King’s Day events are observed all over the Netherlands including Arnhem, Den Haag, Eindhoven, Groningen, Haarlem, Rotterdam and Utrecht.

Amsterdam Transport Passes

The following multi-day transport tickets can help you get to the various events in and around Amsterdam:

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.

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