May is a great time to visit Amsterdam, with pleasant late-spring temperatures and plenty to see and do.
Check out our insider curated guide to events and things going on in and around the city for May 2025.
Springtime in the Netherlands
Keukenhof Gardens – The world famous tulip and flower park is a must-visit. The 2025 spring season runs 20 Mar to 11 May 2025. See Keukenhof info here
Museums, Exhibitions & Attractions in Amsterdam (May 2025)
STRAAT – A unique and colourful experience in Amsterdam! The world’s biggest street art and graffiti museum in a 8,000m² warehouse at NDSM wharf and showcasing some 180 artworks, all made on-site. Book STRAAT tickets here
Amaze Amsterdam – An immersive 1 hour audio-visual experience spanning 3,000m² with 8 separate stages. Guaranteed to stimulates the senses – from intense, interactive to relaxing and chilled. Located in an old industrial nightclub in Amsterdam’s West Port district. Book Amaze Amsterdam tickets here
Nxt Museum – Dive into digital at the first “new media art” museum in the Netherlands which holds large-scale, multi-sensory immersive exhibitions. Book Nxt Museum tickets here
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam – Get your celebrity fill by visiting the ever-popular wax work museum on Dam Square. Book Madame Tussauds Amsterdam tickets here
Amsterdam Dungeon – Interactive show featuring excellent actors and audience participation. Takes you through dark dungeon-themed rooms from Amsterdam’s murky past – scary but with a comic element. Book Amsterdam Dungeon tickets here
Rijksmuseum – The Rijksmuseum’s extensive collection (including Rembrandt’s iconic Night Watch) is a must-see in Amsterdam. American Photography, first ever major survey exhibition of American photography in the Netherlands with over 200 photographs. Runs 7 Feb to 9 Jun 2025. Book Rijksmuseum tickets here
Van Gogh Museum – Iconic museum with the world’s largest collection of Vincent van Gogh paintings. Anselm Kiefer – Sag mir wo die Blumen sind, major exhibition on the German artist in conjunction with the Stedelijk Museum. Runs 7 Mar to 9 Jun 2025. 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.
Can’t find a ticket timeslot for the Anne Frank house? Why not instead book the Anne Frank & Jewish Quarter walking tour (2 hours) here
WONDR Experience – An immersive experience in Amsterdam with 15 rooms including disco balls, a lifesize doll house and fluffy karaoke booths – lots of fun for both adults and children alike. Book WONDR tickets here
The Upside Down Museum Amsterdam – Large interactive museum and Instagram/TikTok experience which includes optical illusions, upside-down rooms and super photogenic spaces. Book Upside Down Museum tickets here
Stedelijk – Amsterdam’s main modern and contemporary art museum. Formafantasma — Oltre Terra, exhibition exploring the history, ecology, and global dynamics of wool extraction and production. Runs 15 Feb to 13 Jul 2025. Book Stedelijk tickets here
House of Bols – The Cocktail & Genever Experience about the Lucas Bols brand, which has been making liqueurs in Amsterdam since 1575. Book House of Bols tickets here
MOCO Museum – Go loco in MOCO! The acclaimed 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 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
Wereldmuseum Amsterdam – Martial Arts, exhibition about the traditions and stories of various forms of martial art including kung fu, karate, capoeira, kickboxing, pencak silat and Nguni stick fighting. Runs 31 May 2024 to 31 Aug 2025. Book Wereldmuseum Amsterdam tickets here
De Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) – World Press Photo Exhibition 2025, annual exhibition of the current affairs photography contest. Dates to be announced. Book Nieuwe Kerk tickets here
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 Amsterdam Royal 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 Zoo tickets here
ARTIS Groote Museum – The fascinating new Groote Museum allows you to explore your place in the living world with beautifully presented installations and exhibits. Book Groote Museum tickets here
ARTIS Micropia – The world’s only museum dedicated to microbes and micro-organisms. Book Micropia 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
Amsterdam City Passes
These all inclusive passes may save you money on a well planned Amsterdam itinerary.
| Most museums + city transport | Includes Keukenhof + other tours |
| I amsterdam City Card | GO City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass |
 |  |
| 1/2/3/4/5 days | 1/2/3/5 days |
| 24 hours basis | calendar day basis |
| €60/€85/€100/€115/€125 | €99/€119/€144/€194 |
| 70 museums + transport + canal cruise + bike rental | Over 25 attractions/tours + canal cruise + bike rental |
| excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / tours | excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / transport |
| Book here | Book here |
| I amsterdam City Card info | GO City Amsterdam Pass info |
Sport in Amsterdam and the Netherlands (May 2025)
Football:
Ajax home fixtures at Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam:
Ajax vs NEC 11 May 2025 (tba)
Ajax vs FC Twente 18 May 2025 (1430)
It is possible to take a classic stadium tour of the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. Book Johan Cruijff Arena Tour tickets here or book a VIP 2 hour tour here
Rugby:
Amsterdam Sevens – Annual international rugby sevens tournament with over 120 teams to be played at the National Rugby Centre (Sportpark de Eendracht) in Amsterdam. 52nd edition on 31 May – 1 Jun 2025.
See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam
Festivals in Amsterdam (May 2025)
Rolling Kitchens – The Rollende Keukens food festival features dozens of mobile kitchens and food trucks offering appetising dishes plus live music. 17th edition is expected 28 May – 1 Jun 2025 (1300-2300) at Westerpark in Amsterdam. Free entry
Fête du Champagne Festival – Wine and champagne-themed event in Rembrandtpark Amsterdam with French food and live music, expected May 2025.
Amsterdam Art Week – This event features various art exhibitions, performances, screenings, debates and gallery tours. 13th edition runs over 21-25 May 2025 at various galleries and project spaces around Amsterdam.
See our complete festival calendar for Amsterdam
Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam
Boom Chicago – Comedy and improv shows in English playing regularly at Rozentheater on Rozengracht.
Amsterdam Magic Show – Monthly magic and comedy show with international performers. At Boom Chicago’s Rozentheater, Rozengracht in Amsterdam. Dates to be announced.
VEGAS – Spectacular dinner show featuring Dutch illusionist Hans Klok, dance acts and live musicians including a 4 course shared dining menu. Runs on 3/9/10/16/17/24/31 May 2025 at the Harbour Club (eastern Docklands) in Amsterdam. Book Amsterdam VEGAS dinner show tickets here
Sarah Millican – The British stand-up comedian brings her Late Bloomer show twice at Theater Carré in Amsterdam on 16/17 May 2025.
Katherine Ryan – The UK-based Canadian comedian performs her Battlexe show at Theater Carré in Amsterdam on 23 May 2025. Additional Dutch shows: Nieuwe Luxor Theater in Rotterdam on 22 May 2025 and 013 in Tilburg on 24 May 2025.
Classical Concerts & Theatre in Amsterdam
Dutch National Opera – 6 performances of Strauss opera Die Frau ohne Schatten will run 23 Apr – 10 May 2025.
Dutch National Ballet – 5 performances of opera-ballet How Anansi freed the stories of the world will run 16-25 May 2025.
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
Amsterdam Dinner Cruise – Enjoy the lighter evenings by taking a 120 minute cruise around Amsterdam’s canals with a 3 course meal and drinks. Runs every Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat (1930) in May. Check Dinner Cruise availability here
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 Holiday – Thursday 29 May 2025 (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. At Amsterdamse Bos, Amstelpark and Park Frankendael, dates to be announced. Free entry
Sunday Market – Market events with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. At Westergas and De Hallen, dates o be announced. Free entry
Museum Market – Museumplein hosts this Sunday market with arts and crafts, food and music. Dates to be announced. Free entry
IJ-Hallen – Large weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam with 750 outdoor stands. Dates to be announced.
The Maker Market – Weekend market features creative handmade products including jewelry, art and live music. Runs in the covered passage of De Hallen Amsterdam, dates to be announced. Free entry
Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam (May 2025)
Billie Eilish – 4/5/7 May, Ziggo Dome
Robert Plant – 6 May, Carré
Steven Wilson – 22 May, AFAS Live
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/Multi-Day tickets | Amsterdam Travel Ticket | Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket |
| 1/2/3/4/5/6/7 days | 1/2/3 days | 1/2/3 days |
| €9-€41 | €18/€24/€30 | €21/€31.50/€40.50 |
| Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam | Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam | Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam |
| – | Valid on Schiphol airport train + 397 airport bus | Valid on Schiphol airport train + 397 airport bus |
| – | – | Valid on regional NS trains + EBS/Connexxion/Arriva buses in region |
| 24 hours basis | Calendar day basis | Calendar day basis |
| Digital + Card versions | Card only | Card only |
| Order here | Order here | Order here |
| more info | more info | more info |
The AmsterdamTips.com What’s On in Amsterdam has been running monthly since 2008. 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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