What’s On in Amsterdam July 2020
This is our listings guide to what’s on in and around Amsterdam, Holland during July 2020. The height of summer is normally peak tourist season in Amsterdam, the weather is warm, the days are long and there’s plenty to see and do.
The Dutch Government has brought in precautionary measures to contain the ‘coronavirus’. All large events and festivals have been banned until 1 September 2020.
Museums & Exhibitions in Amsterdam
On 1 June 2020 museums in the Netherlands reopened. Visitors generally need to buy a ticket (and time-slot) online in advance. Social distancing measures apply and walking routes are marked.
For a comprehensive selection of museums, activities and tours in Amsterdam book here
Rijksmuseum – Reopened in April 2013 after 10 years of renovation, the Rijksmuseum’s rich collection (including Rembrandt’s Night Watch) is a must-see in Amsterdam. Caravaggio-Bernini. Baroque in Rome, exhibition exploring the beginnings of European baroque in Rome, with masterpieces from painter Caravaggio (1571-1610) and the sculptor Bernini (1598-1680). Extended to 13 Sep 2020 in the Philips Wing. Book Rijksmuseum tickets here
Rijksmuseum Schiphol – Amsterdam airport hosts 10 paintings of the Dutch Golden Age from the Rijksmuseum collection. The Rijksmuseum Schiphol is located on Holland Boulevard (between Lounges 2 and 3 in non-Schengen departures) and is open 24 hours a day to passengers free of charge.
Van Gogh Museum – Popular museum with the world’s largest collection of Vincent van Gogh paintings. In the Picture, exhibition featuring 75 portrait works from Vincent van Gogh and the likes of Edvard Munch, Charley Toorop, Gustave Courbet, Paul Cézanne and Helene Schjerfbeck. Extended run until 30 Aug 2020. 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. The house and museum is open to visitors though you must pre-book online for a date/time slot.
Hermitage Amsterdam – Showcases an exhibition every 6 months from the vast collection of the grand State Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia. Jewels! an exhibition which is part of the 10th anniversary of the Hermitage Amsterdam. It features highlights from the fabulous jewellery collection of the State Hermitage. Extended run to autumn 2020.
Also ongoing at the Hermitage: Panorama Amsterdam. City Time Lapse, a visual projection of Amsterdam through the ages as seen from the Amstel river; and Portrait Gallery of the 17th Century.
Outsider Art Museum – This museum at the Hermitage showcases extraordinary art by unconventional artists who have not been formally trained.
Nieuwe Kerk – World Press Photo 2020, renowned photo-journalism exhibition held annually at Amsterdam’s New Church. Runs 1 Jun to 29 Nov 2020.
Oude Kerk – Adrián Villar Rojas: Poems for Earthlings, immersive installation by the Argentine artist. Runs until 16 Aug 2020.
Stedelijk – Amsterdam’s main modern and contemporary art museum. STEDELIJK BASE is the permanent installation featuring around 700 pieces.
Amsterdam Museum – Beer, exhibition charting the history of the alcoholic beverage in Amsterdam covering many facets such as brewing, consumption, advertising and changing attitudes. Runs 10 Jul to 1 Nov 2020.
MOCO Museum – This modern and contemporary art museum on Museumplein. Banksy: Laugh Now (includes Beanfield) is now a permanent exhibition. Book MOCO Museum tickets here
Tropenmuseum – Ethnographic museum featuring fascinating exhibitions on non-Western cultures. BALI – Behind the scenes, an exhibition about the island on the Indonesian archipelago which looks at the environmental impact of tourism and the island traditions and culture. Runs 14 Feb 2020 to 10 Jan 2021. What a Genderful World, an exhibition which looks at cultural influences on gender around the world. Extended run to 3 Jan 2021.
Rembrandt House – Here: Black in Rembrandt’s Time, portraits of black people from the 17th century. Runs until 6 Sep 2020.
Verzetsmuseum – Fashion on a Ration, exhibition at the Dutch Resistance Museum examining how fashion changed during the wartime period due to fabric shortages – in stark contrast to the throwaway society we live in today. Extended until 6 Sep 2020.
Jewish Historical Museum – Charlotte Salomon in close-up, exhibition on the German-Jewish artist looking at the influence of film on her autobiographical Life? or Theatre? series of paintings. Extended until 22 Nov 2020.
Huis Marseille Photography Museum – Viviane Sassen Venus & Mercury, solo exhibition of the Dutch artist. Runs until 30 Aug 2020.
FOAM Photography Museum – Vivian Maier – Works in Color, exhibition of the American street photographer. Until 13 Sep 2020. On Earth – Imaging, Technology and the Natural World, 27 contemporary artists who use innovative visual techniques to reflect on the evolving relationship between humans and nature. Runs until 2 Sep 2020.
Stadsarchief – Vondelingen, exhibition from the archives of a large Amsterdam orphanage on Prinsengracht from the early 19th century. Runs until 4 Oct 2020.
EYE Film – Chantal Akerman Passages, major solo exhibition of the feminist avant-garde filmmaker. Runs until 30 Aug 2020.
Body Worlds – Display of human body plastinate specimens at the permanent venue on Damrak. The exhibition focuses on happiness.
Reconstruction of Identities – Outdoor photo exhibition from 5 photographers around the canals of Amsterdam with the themes of identity and belonging. Runs 6-19 Jul 2020.
Cobra Museum (Amstelveen) – Surrealism and Cobra, 2 exhibitions featuring the influences, similarities, contradictions and differences between Surrealism and Cobra. Runs until 27 Sep 2020.
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The Iamsterdam City Card (1-5 days) offers free entry and discounts to numerous Amsterdam attractions and also includes a free transport pass as well. It costs €65 to €130. You can order the Iamsterdam City Card online here |
Sport in Amsterdam and Netherlands
Athletics/Running:
Friday Night Run – A free monthly 1 hour run organised by running group Phanos. Meet at Olympic Stadium Amsterdam at 1930 on Friday 10 Jul 2020.
Walking:
Nijmegen Vierdaagse – International four days marches event around the city of Nijmegen with up to 50,000 participants – walking 30km to 50km per day over all 4 days. 104th edition due to be held over 21-24 Jul 2020 has been cancelled.
Inline Skating:
Friday Night Skate – 20km organised skate around the streets of Amsterdam held every Friday night (2030, weather permitting) from Vondelpark Pavilion. Currently cancelled until further notice.
See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam
Festivals in Amsterdam and Netherlands
Amsterdam Ferry Festival – A variety of art will be held on the ferries in Amsterdam including photography and visual arts, performances, installations, spoken word, digital art, video art and sound art. The inaugural event will take place 9-19 Jul 2020 on GVB ferries.
Over het IJ Festival – A 10 day summer theatre festival held on the waterfront of the IJ river and around Amsterdam Noord. It also includes live bands, DJs and plenty of good food and drink. 28th edition due for 10-19 Jul 2020 is now cancelled. Location is NDSM wharf, Amsterdam (accessible by free ferry from Amsterdam Central).
Kwaku Festival – The Kwaku festival is a colourful event held in south-east Amsterdam over consecutive weekends during the summer. The festival’s origins came about to celebrate the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Dutch Antilles and Suriname. It features live music, dance, DJs, a football competition and appetising ethnic food stalls. 2020 event is cancelled, expected July-August 2021 at Nelson Mandelapark, south-east Amsterdam.
Milkshake Festival – Gay-friendly dance music festival over a weekend organised by Paradiso and AIR which includes a camping area. Event on 25-26 Jul 2020 at Westerpark, Amsterdam is cancelled.
North Sea Jazz Festival – The world’s largest indoor music festival held over 3 days featuring international jazz plus blues, soul, funk, hip hop, world music and more. 2020 event is cancelled, to be held 9-11 Jul 2021 at Ahoy Rotterdam.
See our complete festival calendar for Amsterdam
Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Magic Show – Monthly magic and comedy show with international performers. At Boom Chicago’s Rozentheater, Rozengracht in Amsterdam, expected Tuesday 7 Jul 2020 at 2000. Book Amsterdam Magic Show tickets here
Boom Chicago – Comedy and improv show at Rozentheater on Rozengracht reopens on 4 Jul 2020 with special social distancing measures.
Classical Concerts & Theatre in Amsterdam
Book a concert here at Amsterdam’s renowned Royal Concertgebouw hall.
Other Events in Amsterdam
Pride Amsterdam 2020 – World famous LGBT cultural event held over a week, the highlight being the spectacular canal parade around the Prinsengracht and river Amstel. 2020 event is cancelled, expected to return 31 Jul to 8 Aug 2021.
De Balie – The multimedia venue near Leidseplein in Amsterdam hosts regular events about current affairs, politics and culture.
City Beaches in Amsterdam
NEMO terrace – Chill on the roof of the NEMO Science Museum (at Oosterdok 2) with cool views of Amsterdam. New measures mean access is for NEMO museum visitors only or by paying a fee (€3.50).
Pllek – Cafe-restaurant with city beach at NDSM wharf in Amsterdam North.
Strand Zuid – City beach pavilion located at Europaplein 22 near Beatrixplein and RAI.
DOK Amsterdam – New city beach area and restaurant located just off the Amstel river near Overamstel metro station.
Alternatively head over to real beaches at Zandvoort or Bloemendaal – great to watch the sunset and have a meal on a summer evening.
Free Concerts in Amsterdam
Vondelpark open air theatre – Free concerts running during the weekend (Fri-Sun), from June to August. 2020 events are cancelled.
Westerkerk – Free lunchtime church organ concert every Friday at 1300. Reservations are now mandatory to limit numbers.
Market Events in Amsterdam
Pure Markt – Regular market event with high quality produce, music, food stalls and other activities. Cancelled until September.
Sunday Market – Sunday market at Westergas with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. July events cancelled.
Museum Market – Museumplein hosts this Sunday market with arts and crafts, food and music. Tentatively scheduled for 26 Jul 2020 (1000-1800).
IJ-Hallen – Huge weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam. Cancelled until further notice.
Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam & Netherlands
most concerts have been postponed or cancelled.
Hotels in Amsterdam
You should book your Amsterdam accommodation in advance if possible. During popular events rooms can be difficult to find and prices can rise significantly! Book your Amsterdam hotel here via Booking.com, which usefully offers free cancellation if your plans change.
Some specific Amsterdam hotel recommendations:
• At the very top-end with 5 star luxury consider Waldorf Astoria, Sofitel Grand, Hotel De L’Europe and Conservatorium.
• Stylish, quality mid-range choices near the city centre include The Toren, Banks Mansion, The Hoxton, Kimpton-De Witt and Sir Adam Hotel.
• For those on a budget check out Conscious Hotel Vondelpark, The Student Hotel, Volkshotel, Jaz Amsterdam (close to Ziggo Dome/ArenA) and Motel One.
>>What’s On in Amsterdam August 2020
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.
