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)
It is recommended visitors buy a ticket and time-slot online in advance.
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 – A new immersive audio-visual experience with 7 stages. Located in an old industrial nightclub in Amsterdam’s West Port district. Book Amaze Amsterdam tickets here (open Wed-Sun).
Our House – A brand 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, shows and performances. Book Our House tickets here
Nxt Museum – The first “new media art” museum in the Netherlands which has large-scale, multi-sensory immersive exhibitions. UFO – Unidentified Fluid Other, exhibition examining the boundaries of the physical and virtual worlds. Runs 11 Jun 2022 to 31 Aug 2023. 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. Book Rijksmuseum 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
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
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.
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.
Stedelijk – Amsterdam’s main modern and contemporary art museum. STEDELIJK BASE is the permanent installation featuring around 400 pieces. Book your Stedelijk tickets here
MOCO Museum – The popular modern and contemporary art museum on Museumplein. Banksy: Laugh Now has a diverse selection of works from the anonymous British street artist. In addition MOCO Masters features the likes of Warhol, Basquiat and Koons. Book MOCO Museum 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
Rembrandt House – Visit the house where Rembrandt lived and worked. Book Rembrandt House tickets here
Tropenmuseum – Ethnographic museum featuring fascinating exhibitions on non-Western cultures. 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
De Nieuwe Kerk – World Press Photo Exhibition 2023, annual exhibition of the current affairs photography contest inside Amsterdam’s New Church. Opens mid-April 2023, dates to be announced.
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
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
Amsterdam City Passes
The official Iamsterdam City Card (1-5 days) offers free entry and discounts to numerous Amsterdam region museums and attractions. Plus a free public transport pass, a canal cruise and bike rental as well. It costs €65 to €135. Book the Iamsterdam City Card here
The GO City All-inclusive Amsterdam Pass (1/2/3/5 days) offers free entrance to 25 attractions and includes a canal cruise, pedal boat and bike rental. It costs €51 to €99. Book the GO City All inclusive Pass here The GO City Explorer Amsterdam Pass (3-7 attractions) allows you to pick entry to a specific number of attractions with a 60 day time limit. It costs €43 to €89. Book the GO City Explorer Amsterdam Pass here
The Amsterdam Pass from Tiqets offers entrance to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. It also includes a canal cruise and city guide app. It costs €62. Book the Amsterdam Pass here |
Sport in Amsterdam and the Netherlands (May 2023)
Football:
Ajax home fixtures at Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam:
Ajax vs AZ 6 May 2023 (tba)
Ajax vs FC Utrecht 21 May 2023 (1430)
Golf:
Dutch Open – European Tour event due at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt (Den Bosch) over 25-29 May 2023, dates to be confirmed.
See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam
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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 late 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)
to be announced
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. Date to be announced.
Boom Chicago – Comedy and improv shows in English playing at Rozentheater on Rozengracht.
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.
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.
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.
Market Events in Amsterdam
Pure Markt – Regular market event with high quality produce, music, food stalls and other activities. Date to be confirmed.
Sunday Market – Sunday market at Westergas with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. 7 May 2023 (1200-1800). 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. Dates to be announced.
Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam (May 2023)
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – 25/27 May, Johan Cruijff ArenA
The Analogues – Hello Goodbye – 29/30 May, Carré
Amsterdam Travel/Transport ResourcesPrepare for your trip to Amsterdam in advance.
Amsterdam Travel Ticket – 1/2/3 day card (€17/€22.50/€28) combines airport train/bus journey with unlimited GVB transport in Amsterdam. Valid on a day (not 24 hours) basis. Book online here and pick-up in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket – 1/2/3 day card (€19.50/€28/€36.50) for unlimited travel in entire Amsterdam region. Valid on a day (not 24 hours) basis on NS trains (in region), regional buses and Amsterdam GVB transport. Book online here and pick-up in Amsterdam.
Iamsterdam City Card – Tourist pass which includes a GVB multi-day ticket as well as admission to many Amsterdam attractions. 24/48/72/96/120 hour cards (€65-€135). Book the Iamsterdam City Card online here
Hotels – Book your Amsterdam hotel here via Booking.com, which offers a wide selection of hotels and free cancellation if your plans change. It also has a range of Amsterdam hostels for those on a budget.
Taxi – Sneleentaxi is a reliable taxi firm offering rides anywhere in the Netherlands – including around Amsterdam and to/from airports. It offers competitive fixed fares. You can book with Sneleentaxi here
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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.
