What’s On in Amsterdam May 2021

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 2021…

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 further notice. 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. Slavery, exhibition focuses on slavery in the Dutch colonial period from the 17th to the 19th century. Runs 12 Feb to 30 May 2021. 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. Here to Stay, exhibition about the artworks the museum has acquired in the last decade. Runs 5 Feb to 24 May 2021. 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. Will run until 1 Jan 2022.

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. Surinamese School, Painting from Paramaribo to Amsterdam, exhibition presenting 100 artworks by 35 artists on Surinamese history, spirituality and everyday life. Expected 12 Dec 2020 to 31 May 2021. Book Stedelijk tickets here

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.

Rembrandt House – Hansken, Rembrandt’s Elephant, the story of Haksen, the most famous elephant of the 17th century who was drawn a number of times by Rembrandt. Runs 1 May to 25 Jul 2021.

Stadsarchief – Breitner, Israels and contemporaries. Amsterdam in watercolor and pastel, cityscape masterpieces from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Runs 2 Mar to 30 May 2021.

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. Book FOAM tickets here

Jewish Historical Museum – A Grave in the Clouds, an exhibition about Paul Celan’s poem Todesfuge. Runs 11 Dec 2020 to 16 May 2021. Book Jewish Cultural Quarter tickets here

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

COBRA (Amstelveen) – Cobra and Politics, exhibition of Cobra artists using their art to express political views and ideals. Runs 28 May to 26 Sep 2021.

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 €60 to €115. You can order the Iamsterdam City Card online here

Sport in Amsterdam and the Netherlands

Football:
Ajax home fixtures at Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam:
Ajax vs FC Emmen 2 May 2021 (1430)
Ajax vs VVV Venlo 13 May 2021 (1430)

You can also book a stadium tour of the Johan Cruijff ArenA online here

Athletics/Running:
Friday Night Run – Free monthly 1 hour run organised by running group Phanos. Meet at Olympic Stadium Amsterdam at 1930 on Friday 14 May 2021.

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.

[X] Invictus Games 202One – International games for wounded and sick armed service personnel. With 500 participants, the program includes 10 sports: athletics, powerlifting, archery, indoor rowing, JLR Driving Challenge, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, cycling, sitting volleyball and swimming. The postponed Invictus 2020 event was rescheduled for 29 May to 5 Jun 2021 at Zuiderpark in Den Haag (The Hague). This has now been put back to spring 2022.

See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam

Festivals in Amsterdam

Festivals due in May 2021 have been postponed.

See our complete festival calendar for Amsterdam

Fairs & Expos in Amsterdam and Netherlands

KunstRai (Art Amsterdam) – Longest running art fair in the Netherlands (now in its 36th year) offering contemporary Dutch art for sale with more than 70 quality galleries. Rescheduled to 27-30 May 2021 at RAI Amsterdam.

Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Magic Show – Monthly magic and comedy show with international performers. At Boom Chicago’s Rozentheater, Rozengracht in Amsterdam. Next virtual show is 6 May 2021. Book Amsterdam Magic Show tickets here

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

[X] Trevor Noah – The South African comedian brings his Loud & Clear Tour to Ziggo Dome Amsterdam. The show due on 27 May 2021 has been rescheduled for 21 May 2022.

Classical Concerts & Theatre in Amsterdam

[X] 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. Note, live shows are suspended until further notice.

Dutch National Opera & Ballet – Production in May 2021 is opera The Magic of Belcanto (Donizetti), scheduled for 16 May 2021 as an online show.

Other Events in Amsterdam and Netherlands

Netherlands Public Holidays May 2021 – Wednesday 5 May (Liberation Day), Thursday 13 May (Ascension Day), and Monday 24 May (Whit Monday).

National Remembrance Day – Ceremony commemorating the war dead, held in Dam Square on 4 May. A 2 minute silence is held nationwide at 2000.

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

[X] Keukenhof 2021 – The world famous tulip and flower park was expected to open its doors for the spring season (20 Mar to 9 May 2021), albeit under new social distancing measures. Opening date was postponed and season looks likely to be fully cancelled.

Eurovision 2021 – The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 (postponed from 2020) will be hosted by the Netherlands, following the Dutch win in 2019. The final is due to be held on 22 May 2021 at the Ahoy in Rotterdam, with the semi-finals being on 18 and 20 May 2021.

Free Concerts in Amsterdam

Most of the free concerts offered by various venues in Amsterdam have been temporarily suspended.

Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ – Free lunchtime concert showcasing young classical talent scheduled for 27 May 2021 at 1230.

Market Events in Amsterdam

[X] Pure Markt – Regular market event with high quality produce, music, food stalls and other activities. May events cancelled.

[X] Sunday Market – Sunday market at Westergas with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. Cancelled until further notice.

[X] Museum Market – Museumplein hosts this Sunday market with arts and crafts, food and music. Cancelled until at least June.

[X] IJ-Hallen –Huge weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam. Cancelled until further notice.

Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam

Concerts scheduled for May 2021 have been postponed.

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 June 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.