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 2023.
Museums & Exhibitions in Amsterdam (May 2023)
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. Women in Street Art, exhibition with a focus on female street artists, runs 22 Feb to 28 May 2023. Book your STRAAT tickets here
Amaze Amsterdam – An new immersive audio-visual experience with 7 stages which varies from intense, interactive to relaxing. Excellent for groups (up to 6). Located in an old industrial nightclub in Amsterdam’s West Port district. Book Amaze Amsterdam 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
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. Both run 10 Mar to 3 Sep 2023. Book Fabrique des Lumières 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. Vermeer, the largest exhibition ever of paintings by Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675). Runs 10 Feb to 4 Jun 2023. [All Vermeer tickets sold out!] Book standard 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
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]
Stedelijk – Amsterdam’s main modern and contemporary art museum. STEDELIJK BASE is the permanent installation featuring around 400 pieces. 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. 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
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. The Art of Drawing, an exhibition of 74 drawings from Rembrandt, Bol and Maes from The Peck Collection (USA). Runs 18 Mar to 11 Jun 2023. Titus Returns Home, the iconic painting of Rembrandt’s son will also be on show 18 Mar to 4 Jun 2023. Book Rembrandt House 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 Humans at Sea, a photographic exhibition of how venturing out to sea can transform a life. Runs 7 Oct 2022 until 28 May 2023. Book Scheepvaartmuseum tickets here
Fashion For Good Museum – Learn where your clothes come from and discover the innovations shaping the future of fashion. Knowing Cotton Otherwise, exhibition highlighting the relationship between cotton and the fashion industry. Runs 7 Oct 2022 to 5 Oct 2023. Book Fashion For Good tickets here
De Nieuwe Kerk – World Press Photo Exhibition 2023, annual exhibition of the current affairs photography contest inside Amsterdam’s New Church. Runs 22 Apr to 30 Jul 2023.
Royal Palace – Visit the grand Royal Palace on Dam Square including the impressive Citizen’s Hall. Book Royal Palace tickets here
FOAM Photography Museum – Ernest Cole House of Bondage, large scale exhibition from the late South African photographer including unpublished works. Runs 27 Jan to 14 Jun 2023. Book FOAM tickets here
Huis Marseille – Pérez Siquier, Colours and Contrasts of Spain, retrospective exhibition of the Spanish photographer Carlos Pérez Siquier (1930-2021). His work highlights the cultural and socio-economic transformation of postwar Spain. Runs 25 Mar to 18 Jun 2023.
Stadsarchief – Forced labour in the Amsterdamse Bos. Jewish labour camps in and around Amsterdam 1941-1944, exhibition at the City Archives. Runs 24 Mar to 4 Jun 2023. Amsterdam on fire. The inventions of Jan van der Heyden (1637-1712), exhibition at the city archives of drawings and prints from the renowned cityscape artist, inventor and entrepreneur. Runs 7 Apr to 6 Aug 2023.
Hermitage – Rembrandt & His Contemporaries, History Paintings from The Leiden Collection, exhibition of 35 paintings from one of the most important private collections of 17th century Dutch paintings. Runs 4 Feb to 27 Aug 2023.
Amsterdam Museum @Hermitage – The 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 27 Aug 2023.
Allard Pierson Museum – Maps Unfolded – From Atlas to Street Map, exhibition about seven centuries of cartography in the Netherlands. Runs 2 Mar to 16 Jul 2023. Book Allard Pierson tickets here
Grachten Museum – Amsterdam, day and night, exhibition at the Museum of the Canals of 34 Amsterdam cityscapes by Dutch artist Arie Schippers. Runs 2 Mar to 4 Jun 2023. Book Museum of the Canals 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
Artis 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 tickets here
Framer Framed – Charging Myths, exhibition by the transnational artist collective On-Trade-Off exploring how technological innovation is dependent on mining natural resources. Runs 24 Feb to 4 Jun 2023 (closed Mon). Free entry
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 |
 |  |  |
| I amsterdam City Card | GO City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass | Tiqets Amsterdam Digital Pass |
| 1/2/3/4/5 days | 1/2/3/5 days | package deal |
| €65 – €135 | €59 – €119 | €62 |
| 70 attractions + transport + canal cruise + bike rental | Over 25 attractions/tours + canal cruise + bike rental | Rijksmuseum + Van Gogh Museum + canal cruise |
| excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / tours | excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / transport | excludes any other attractions |
| Book here | Book here | Book here |
Sport in Amsterdam and the Netherlands (May 2023)
Football:
Ajax home fixtures at Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam:
Ajax vs AZ 6 May 2023 (2100)
Ajax vs FC Utrecht 21 May 2023 (1430)
Golf:
KLM Open – European Tour event due at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt (Den Bosch) over 25-28 May 2023.
See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam
Festivals in Amsterdam (May 2023)
Rolling Kitchens – The Rollende Keukens food festival features dozens of mobile kitchens and food trucks offering appetising dishes plus live music. Expected 17-21 May 2023 (15th edition) at Westerpark in Amsterdam. Free entry
Amsterdam Art Week – This event features various exhibitions, performances, screenings, debates and gallery tours. Runs 31 May – 4 Jun 2023 at various galleries and project spaces around Amsterdam.
See our complete festival calendar for Amsterdam
Fairs & Expos in Amsterdam (May 2023)
B for Good Leaders Summit – International meeting of ‘business-for-good’ movement. Runs 11-12 May 2023 at Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam.
Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam (May 2023)
Amsterdam Magic Show – Monthly magic and comedy show with international performers. At Boom Chicago’s Rozentheater, Rozengracht in Amsterdam. Thursday 4 May 2023 (2000). Book Amsterdam Magic Show tickets here
Boom Chicago – Comedy and improv shows in English playing regularly at Rozentheater on Rozengracht. Book a Boom Chicago show here
Jim Gaffigan – The American stand-up comedian brings his observational humour to the De La Mar Theatre in Amsterdam for a show on 13 May 2023.
Jack Dee – The English comedian plays his Off The Telly show at Meervaart Theater in Amsterdam on 17 May 2023.
Classical Concerts & Theatre in Amsterdam (May 2023)
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
Keukenhof Gardens – The world famous tulip and flower park is open for the 2023 spring season. Runs 23 Mar to 14 May 2023. Book Keukenhof tickets here or take a full-day guided tour from Amsterdam
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 18 May 2023 (Ascension Day).
De Balie – The multimedia venue near Leidseplein in Amsterdam hosts regular events about current affairs, politics and culture.
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 May. Check Dinner Cruise availability here
Market Events in Amsterdam
Pure Markt – Regular market event with high quality produce, music, food stalls and other activities. 14 May 2023 (1100-1800) at Amstelpark; 21 May 2023 (1100-1800) at Amsterdamse Bos; 28 May 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 7 May 2023 (1200-1800) at Westergas and 28 May 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 14 May 2023 (1100-1700). Free entry
Museum Market – Museumplein hosts this Sunday market with arts and crafts, food and music. 21 May 2023 (1000-1800). Free entry
IJ-Hallen – Large weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam with 750 stands. 13-14 May 2023 (0900-1630).
Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam (May 2023)
Arctic Monkeys – 5/6 May, Ziggo Dome
Sam Smith – 9 May, Ziggo Dome
Diana Krall – 12/13 May, Carré
Depeche Mode – 16/18 May, Ziggo Dome
The Offspring – 20 May, AFAS Live
Paul Weller – 21/22 May, Paradiso
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – 25/27 May, Johan Cruijff ArenA
The Analogues – Hello Goodbye – 29/30 May, Carré
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 |
 |  |  |
| Unlimited GVB Day/Multi-Day tickets | Amsterdam Travel Ticket | Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket |
| 1-7 days | 1/2/3 days | 1/2/3 days |
| €9-€41, child €4.50/day | €18/€24/€30 | €21/€31.50/€40.50 |
| Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam | Valid on all GVB transport in Amsterdam + airport train/bus | Valid on all GVB transport in Amsterdam + regional train/bus |
| 24 hour basis | Calendar day basis | Calendar 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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