Whats On

What’s On in Amsterdam August 2023

If you are planning to visit Amsterdam in the late summer then check out our detailed listing below for what’s on during August 2023. From museums and exhibitions, sports events, open-air cinema, concerts and other things to do…

Museums & Exhibitions in Amsterdam (August 2023)

Nxt Museum – The first “new media art” museum in the Netherlands which has large-scale, multi-sensory immersive exhibitions. UFO – Unidentified Fluid Other, exhibition of themes on the virtual world. Runs 11 Jun 2022 to 3 Sep 2023. Located in the Amsterdam North district, open daily. Book Nxt Museum tickets here

nxt museum amsterdam
Nxt Museum Amsterdam exhibition (credit: Get Jan van Rooij/Nxt Museum)

Fabrique des Lumières – Immersive exhibitions of classical, modern and contemporary artists using cutting-edge technology with light projections and music. Main exhibition is Salvador Dalí, The Endless Enigma with works of the celebrated artist set to the music of the legendary Pink Floyd. Alongside there is the spectacular display Gaudí, Architect of the Imaginary. Runs 10 Mar 2023 to 7 Jan 2024. Book Fabrique des Lumières tickets here

dali fabrique lumieres exhibition
Salvador Dalí @Fabrique des Lumières Amsterdam

Fabrique des Lumières Summer Nights features a reprise of the inaugural exhibition Gustav Klimt Gold in Motion. Runs 7 Aug to 3 Sep 2023 (1730-2130). Book Summer Nights Klimt tickets here

Our House – A new 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

our house amsterdam
Our House Amsterdam

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 STRAAT tickets here

straat museum amsterdam
STRAAT museum Amsterdam

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

amaze amsterdam
AMAZE Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum – The Rijksmuseum’s rich collection (including Rembrandt’s Night Watch) is a must-see in Amsterdam. Six Vermeers, following the highly successful Vermeer exhibition, there are 6 Vermeer paintings still on display between 7 Jun and 10 Oct 2023. Book Rijksmuseum tickets here

Van Gogh Museum – Popular museum with the world’s largest collection of Vincent van Gogh paintings. Van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise, major exhibition (in collaboration with Musée d’Orsay) about the final months of Vincent van Gogh’s life, which he spent in the French village of Auvers-sur-Oise. Runs 12 May to 3 Sep 2023. Book Van Gogh Museum tickets here

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

rtxp amsterdam van gogh
RTXP Amsterdam

Anne Frank House – Visit 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]

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

upside down museum amsterdam
Upside Down Amsterdam

Stedelijk – Amsterdam’s main modern and contemporary art museum. Modern, exhibition on 19th and early 20th-century modern artists and designers who wanted to not only work for the elite but also to reach society in general. Runs 18 May to 24 Sep 2023. Keith Haring: Amsterdam Notes, huge 125 foot long artwork made by the American artist in 1986 for the museum. On show 26 May to 5 Nov 2023. Book your Stedelijk tickets here

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

moco museum banksy beanfield
MOCO Museum Amsterdam

Rembrandt House – Visit the house where Rembrandt lived and worked. Rembrandt and Love, an exhibition about love through Rembrandt’s eyes which includes 50 etchings. Runs 1 Jul to 15 Oct 2023. Book Rembrandt House tickets here

Rembrandt’s Amsterdam Experience – A new 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 

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

Het Scheepvaartmuseum – National Maritime Museum presents Robbert Das, Water Sports in Perspective, exhibition of ship drawings by the illustrator and futurist. Runs 27 May to 22 Oct 2023. Book Scheepvaartmuseum tickets here

Fashion For Good Museum – Learn where your clothes come from and discover the innovations shaping the future of fashion. You can find concrete ways to take positive action and shop for sustainable products. Book Fashion For Good tickets here

De Nieuwe KerkWorld Press Photo Exhibition 2023, annual exhibition of the current affairs photography contest inside Amsterdam’s New Church. Runs 22 Apr to 24 Sep 2023.

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

FOAM Photography MuseumNext Level: Sara Cwynar S/S 23, exhibition from the New York-based visual artist. Runs 25 May to 24 Sep 2023. Book FOAM tickets here

foam museum gallery exhibition
FOAM Amsterdam

Huis MarseilleWidline Cadet: Take This With You / Pran Sa Avèk Ou, exhibition of works from the Haitian visual artist. Runs 24 Jun to 22 Oct 2023.

StadsarchiefFamiri/Family Surinamese-Amsterdam stories from 1611 onwards, exhibition at the city archives runs 29 Jun 2023 to 14 Jan 2024. Free entry

Jewish MuseumNew Era, New Art, exhibition about the role played by Jews in the development of popular new art and architectural styles in the Netherlands between 1880 and 1940. Runs 31 Mar to 3 Sep 2023. Book Jewish Cultural Quarter tickets here

EYE FilmmuseumWerner Herzog, The Ecstatic Truth, exhibition and extensive film programme around the work of the celebrated German filmmaker. Runs 18 Jun to 1 Oct 2023. Book EYE Film Museum 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

body worlds amsterdam
Body Worlds Amsterdam

Amsterdam Museum @HermitageThe Maasdamme Collection, exhibition of dioramas depicting scenes from Dutch colonial history. Runs 16 Oct 2022 to 3 Sep 2023. Book Amsterdam Museum tickets here

Museum of the Mind (Outsider Art) – This museum at the Hermitage showcases extraordinary art by unconventional artists who have not been formally trained. 31553580 (obsession) for Numbers & Schematics, exhibition about the world of logic, art and structure. Runs 22 Sep 2022 to 5 Nov 2023.

COBRA (Amstelveen) – The Other Picasso – Back to the Origin, exhibition of drawings, ceramics and etchings from Pablo Picasso. Runs 2 Jun to 8 Oct 2023.

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 attractions + city transport
Includes some tour excursions
Includes Van Gogh Museum
go city amsterdam digital pass
I amsterdam City CardGO City Amsterdam All-Inclusive PassTiqets Amsterdam Digital Pass
1/2/3/4/5 days2/3/5 dayspackage deal
€60 – €125€84 – €124€62
70 attractions + transport + canal cruise + bike rentalOver 25 attractions/tours + canal cruise + bike rentalRijksmuseum + Van Gogh Museum + canal cruise
excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / tours
excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / transportexcludes any other attractions
Book here Book here Book here

Sport in Amsterdam and Netherlands (August 2023)

Football:
Johan Cruijff Schaal (Johan Cruyff Shield)
Feyenoord vs PSV 4 Aug 2023 (2000) – De Kuip, Rotterdam

Ajax home fixtures at Johan Cruijff ArenA Amsterdam:
Ajax vs Heracles Almelo 12 Aug 2023 (2000)

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

johan cruijff arean - ajax stadium tour
Johan Cruijff Arena – get pitchside on the stadium tour

Motor Sport:
Formula 1 – The historic circuit at Zandvoort (near Amsterdam) will host the Dutch Formula 1 Grand Prix race over the weekend of 25-27 Aug 2023 with the main race on 27 Aug 2023.

Gymnastics:
World Gymnaestrada Amsterdam 2023 – Non-competitive international event held every 4 years, attracting the largest number of active participants of any gymnastic event. Runs at RAI Amsterdam, 30 Jul to 5 Aug 2023.

Inline Skating:
Friday Night Skate – 20km organised skate around the streets of Amsterdam held every Friday night (2030, weather permitting) from Vondelpark Pavilion.

Para Sports:
European Para Championships – The inaugural edition of the para multisport event will be held in host city Rotterdam over 8-20 Aug 2023. There will be 1,500 Paralympic athletes from 45 countries competing in 10 sports.

See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam

Festivals in Amsterdam (August 2023)

Kwaku Summer Festival – Large summer festival focussed around the culturally diverse Zuidoost (south-east) district of Amsterdam. Runs each weekend at Nelson Mandela Park with a broad range of activities including art and music, a football tournament and food offerings. Expected 15 Jul to 6 Aug 2023 each weekend.

Grachtenfestival – Canal festival featuring classical and jazz music performances throughout Amsterdam, many on unique stages on the city’s waterways. Scheduled for 11-20 Aug 2023 (26th edition), various locations around Amsterdam.

De Parade – A travelling theatre festival which visits Eindhoven, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Amsterdam. The Amsterdam event is due to take place at Martin Luther King park, expected 18 Aug to 3 Sep 2023.

Loveland Festival – Big DJ dance festival event with a local and international line-up in the western suburbs of Amsterdam. Scheduled for 12-13 Aug 2023 at Sloterpark, Amsterdam.

Reggae Lake Festival – Reggae music festival to be held at Gaasperpark Amsterdam, expected 19-20 Aug 2023.

Mysteryland Festival – Large electronic music festival event with multiple stages held over an August weekend just outside Amsterdam. Features 300 artists and 100,000 visitors. Includes a well-equipped camping site. Scheduled for 25-27 Aug 2023 (28th edition) at the Floriade festival grounds, Haarlemmermeer (near Hoofddorp).

Valtifest – DJs perform dance, house, electro and hip-hop on the waterfront at Kaap Oost (Zeeburgereiland) in Amsterdam. Expected 26 Aug 2023.

De Opening – Formerly known as Uitmarkt, this festival in Amsterdam over a single weekend marks the start of the new Dutch cultural season. The 2023 event will be on a small scale. Expected 26-27 Aug 2023 at various locations around Amsterdam.

See our complete festival calendar for Amsterdam

Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam (August 2023)

Amsterdam Magic Show – Monthly magic and comedy show with international performers. At Boom Chicago’s Rozentheater, Rozengracht in Amsterdam. 3 Aug 2023 (1930).

Boom Chicago – Comedy and improv shows in English playing at Rozentheater on Rozengracht. Book a Boom Chicago show here

Classical Concerts & Theatre in Amsterdam (August 2023)

Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA) – Amsterdam’s renowned theatre company reopens in August and performs shows in Dutch which normally have live English surtitles above the stage on Thursday night shows at the Stadsschouwburg theatre.

Candlelight Concert – Evening concert at the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam as part of the Grachtenfestival. Runs 17 Aug 2023 (1900-2000).

Vondelpark Openluchttheater – The open-air theatre in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark offers shows over every weekend in August. Each Friday night at 2030 there is a dance performance. Music shows (and the occasional Dutch comedy show) are held on Saturday afternoon and evenings and Sunday afternoons. Free entry

Open Air Cinema in Amsterdam (August 2023)

Pluk de Nacht Festival – “Seize the night” open-air film festival (free entry) showing a variety of unreleased international films, animations and documentaries. Venue is Het Stenen Hoofd with deckchair seating. Expected 23 Aug to 2 Sep 2023. Also held at Vrijhaven in Utrecht over 11-19 Aug 2023.

Movies at the Hermitage – Open air screen in the atmospheric courtyard of the Hermitage Museum. Runs 9-27 Aug 2023.

Other Events in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Dinner Cruise – 120 minute evening cruise around Amsterdam’s canals with a 3 course meal and drinks. Runs every Wed/Thu/Fri (1930) in August. Ticket numbers are limited so please check Amsterdam Dinner Cruise availability here

canal dinner cruise amsterdam
Amsterdam Dinner cruise

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. 13 Aug 2023 (1100-1800) at Amstelpark; 20 Aug 2023 (1100-1800) at Amsterdamse Bos; 27 Aug 2023 (1100-1800) at Park Frankendael. Free entry

Sunday Market – Market events with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. Scheduled for 6 Aug 2023 (1200-1800) at Westergas and 27 Aug 2023 (1200-1800) at Rokin. 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. Runs 13 Aug 2023 (1100-1700). Free entry

Museum Market – Museumplein hosts this Sunday market with arts and crafts, food and music. 20 Aug 2023 (1000-1800). Free entry

IJ-Hallen – Large weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam with 750 stands. 5-6 Aug 2023 (0900-1630) and 26-27 Aug 2023 (0900-1630)

Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam (August 2023)

Kula Shaker – 9 Aug, Amsterdamse Bos Theater
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – 28 Aug, Paradiso

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 ticketAmsterdam Travel TicketAmsterdam & Region Travel Ticket
Unlimited GVB Day/Multi-Day ticketsAmsterdam Travel TicketAmsterdam & Region Travel Ticket
1-7 days1/2/3 days1/2/3 days
€9-€41, child €4.50/day€18/€24/€30€21/€31.50/€40.50
Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in AmsterdamValid on all GVB transport in Amsterdam + airport train/busValid on all GVB transport in Amsterdam + regional train/bus
24 hour basisCalendar day basisCalendar day basis
Order here Order here Order here

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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