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 2024.
Springtime in the Netherlands
Keukenhof Gardens – The world famous tulip and flower park is a must-visit and opens for the 2024 spring season – 21 Mar to 12 May 2024. Book your 2024 Keukenhof entry + shuttle bus from Amsterdam here
Museums, Exhibitions & Attractions in Amsterdam (May 2024)
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
RTXP Amsterdam – Colourful new art experience museum in Amsterdam which shows replicas of 50 of the world’s most famous paintings. Book RTXP Amsterdam tickets here
Amaze Amsterdam – An immersive audio-visual experience with 7 stages which varies from intense, interactive to relaxing. Excellent for groups. Located in an old industrial nightclub in Amsterdam’s West Port district. Book Amaze Amsterdam tickets here
Our House – A 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
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. Book Rijksmuseum tickets here
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 – 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]
WONDR Experience – A fun and immersive pop-up experience in Amsterdam for both adults and children alike. Book WONDR tickets here
The Upside Down Museum Amsterdam – Large interactive museum and Instagram experience which includes 25 mind-bending rooms. Located near RAI Amsterdam. Book Upside Down Museum tickets here
Stedelijk – Amsterdam’s main modern and contemporary art museum. Book your 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 – 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. 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
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 2024, annual exhibition of the current affairs photography contest inside Amsterdam’s New Church. Expected during May 2024, 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
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 | 2/3/5 days | package deal |
| €60 – €125 | €84 – €124 | €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 2024)
Football:
Ajax home fixtures at Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam:
Ajax vs Almere City 12 May 2024 (1645)
It is possible to take a classic stadium tour of the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. Book Johan Cruijff Arena Tour tickets here
Golf:
KLM Open – European Tour event due at The International in Amsterdam in May 2024, dates to be confirmed.
See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam
Festivals in Amsterdam (May 2024)
Rolling Kitchens – The Rollende Keukens food festival features dozens of mobile kitchens and food trucks offering appetising dishes plus live music. 16th edition is expected 8-12 May 2024 (1300-2300) at Westerpark in Amsterdam. Free entry
Amsterdam Art Week – This event features various exhibitions, performances, screenings, debates and gallery tours. Expected June 2024 at various galleries and project spaces around Amsterdam.
See our complete festival calendar for Amsterdam
Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam (May 2024)
Boom Chicago – Comedy and improv shows in English playing regularly at Rozentheater on Rozengracht.
Classical Concerts & Theatre in Amsterdam (May 2024)
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 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 Holidays – Thursday 9 May 2024 (Ascension Day), Monday 20 May 2024 (Whit Monday).
Market Events in Amsterdam
Pure Markt – Regular market event with high quality produce, music, food stalls and other activities. Dates to be announced. Free entry
Sunday Market – Market events with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. Dates to be announced. 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. Dates to 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 stands. Dates to be announced.
Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam (May 2024)
to be announced…
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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