What’s On in Amsterdam July 2021

This is our listings guide to what’s on in and around Amsterdam, Holland during July 2021. 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 continues bringing in ‘precautionary’ measures to contain the ‘coronavirus’. Some events are cancelled [X] or may be cancelled/rescheduled at short notice with limits on capacity.

Museums & Exhibitions in Amsterdam

Museums in the Netherlands are closed until at least 20 April 2021. Once open again visitors need to buy a ticket (and time-slot) online in advance, masks are mandatory.

For a comprehensive selection of museums, activities and tours in Amsterdam book here

Rijksmuseum – The Rijksmuseum’s rich collection (including Rembrandt’s Night Watch) is a must-see in Amsterdam. Vincent Mentzel: The Power of the Image, exhibition of the award-winning Dutch photo-journalist. XXL Paper is an exhibition featuring the museum’s largest works on paper. Both run 2 Jul to 5 Sep 2021 at 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. Book Van Gogh Museum tickets here

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.

Hermitage Amsterdam – Showcases an exhibition every 6 months from the vast collection of the grand State Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia. Exhibition Tsars & Knights, a unique collection of suits of armour and antique weapons. 17 Oct 2020 to 31 Jul 2021.

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.

Museum of the Mind (Outsider Art) – This museum at the Hermitage showcases extraordinary art by unconventional artists who have not been formally trained.

Stedelijk – Amsterdam’s main modern and contemporary art museum. STEDELIJK BASE is the permanent installation featuring around 700 pieces.

MOCO Museum – This modern and contemporary art museum on Museumplein. THE KID: The Future Is Old, an exhibition by the contemporary American artist on social issues runs 19 Nov 2020 to 31 Jul 2021. 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.

FOAM Photography Museum – Shigeru Onishi – The Possibility of Existence, the first solo exhibition of the Japanese mathematician photographer in Europe. Runs 30 Apr to 25 Aug 2021.

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

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 9 Jul 2021.

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 is due to be held over 20-23 Jul 2021. The 2020 event was cancelled.

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

See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam

Festivals in Amsterdam and Netherlands

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. 29th edition due for 2-11 Jul 2021. Location is NDSM wharf, Amsterdam (accessible by free ferry from Amsterdam Central) and around Amsterdam Noord.

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 – Dance music festival over a weekend organised by Paradiso and AIR which includes a camping area. Event expected on 24-25 Jul 2021 at Westerpark, Amsterdam.

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. To be held 9-11 Jul 2021 at Ahoy Rotterdam, 2020 event was cancelled.

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 13 Jul 2021 at 2000. Book Amsterdam Magic Show tickets here

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

Classical Concerts & Theatre in Amsterdam

to be announced

Other Events in Amsterdam

Pride Amsterdam 2021 – World famous LGBT cultural event held over a week, the highlight being the spectacular canal parade around the Prinsengracht and river Amstel. Expected to return 31 Jul to 8 Aug 2021 after the 2020 event was cancelled.

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

Free Concerts in Amsterdam

Vondelpark open air theatre – Free concerts running during the weekend (Fri-Sun), from June to August.

Market Events in Amsterdam

Pure Markt – Regular market event with high quality produce, music, food stalls and other activities. Scheduled for 11 Jul 2021 (1100-1800) at Amstel Park and 25 Jul 2021 (1100-1800) at Park Frankendael.

Sunday Market – Sunday market at Westergas with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. Scheduled for 4 Jul 2021 (1200-1800).

Museum Market – Museumplein hosts this Sunday market with arts and crafts, food and music. Scheduled for 18 Jul 2021 (1000-1800).

IJ-Hallen –Huge weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam. July dates to be confirmed.

Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam & Netherlands

Faith No More – 4 Jul, AFAS Live
Thom Yorke – 5 Jul, AFAS Live

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 2021

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.