What’s On in Amsterdam May 2022
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 2022…
| The Iamsterdam City Card (1-5 days) offers free entry and discounts to numerous Amsterdam attractions and also includes a free transport pass and bike rental as well. It costs €65 to €135. You can order the Iamsterdam City Card online here
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Museums & Exhibitions in Amsterdam
It is recommended visitors buy a ticket and time-slot online in advance.
STRAAT – A new and 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 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. Explore the evolution of dance music via interactive installations. Book Our House tickets here
Rijksmuseum – The Rijksmuseum’s rich collection (including Rembrandt’s Night Watch) is a must-see in Amsterdam. Vincent Mentzel, exhibition from the Dutch photojournalist. Runs 28 Jan to 6 Jun 2022 also at the Philips wing. Revolusi! Indonesia Independent, exhibition on the pursuit of freeing Indonesia from colonial rule. Runs 11 Feb to 6 Jun 2022 also at the Philips wing. Book Rijksmuseum tickets here
Rijksmuseum Gardens – This year’s annual sculpture exhibition features Barbara Hepworth, with an emphasis on her work from the 1960s and early 1970s. Free entry, runs 27 May to 23 Oct 2022.
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 of charge.
Van Gogh Museum – Popular museum with the world’s largest collection of Vincent van Gogh paintings. Van Gogh and the Olive Groves, exhibition featuring more than a dozen paintings by Vincent van Gogh of olive groves. Runs 11 Mar to 12 Jun 2022. 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.
Fashion For Good Museum – Learn where your clothes come from and discover the innovations shaping the future of fashion. You can find concrete ways to take positive action and shop for sustainable products. Book Fashion For Good tickets here
Hermitage Amsterdam – Showcases an exhibition every 6 months from the vast collection of the grand State Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia.
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. Democracy, exhibition by fashion designer Duran Lantink inspired by American artist Andy Warhol. Runs 24 Sep 2021 to 6 Jun 2022.
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 (includes Beanfield) is now a permanent exhibition along with MOCO Masters (Warhol, Basquiat, Koons etc). 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 – RAW, exhibition showcasing the work of eleven contemporary artists which show subjects in a realistic way. Runs 20 Jan to 22 May 2022. Book Rembrandt House tickets here
Tropenmuseum – Ethnographic museum featuring fascinating exhibitions on non-Western cultures. Healing Power, exhibition about healing traditions around the world. Runs 5 Jun 2021 to 6 Jun 2022. Book Tropenmuseum 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
Sport in Amsterdam and the Netherlands
Football:
Ajax home fixtures at Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam:
Ajax vs PEC Zwolle 1 May 2022 (tba)
Ajax vs SC Heerenveen 11 May 2022 (2000)
You can also book a stadium tour of the Johan Cruijff ArenA online here
Golf:
Dutch Open – European Tour event due at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt (Den Bosch) over 26-29 May 2022.
Athletics/Running:
Friday Night Run – Free monthly 1 hour run organised by running group Phanos. Meet at Olympic Stadium Amsterdam at 1930 on Friday 13 May 2022, to be confirmed.
Inline Skating:
Friday Night Skate – 20km organised skate around the streets of Amsterdam held every Friday night (2030, weather permitting) from Vondelpark Pavilion.
Invictus Games 2022 – 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 games could not go ahead in 2020 or 2021 and have been rescheduled for spring 2022 (dates to be announced) at Zuiderpark in Den Haag (The Hague).
See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam
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Festivals in Amsterdam
Whisky Weekend – Annual whisky festival featuring some 30 whisky-themed stalls at De Posthoornkerk (Amsterdam West). Expected to return 13-14 May 2022.
Rolling Kitchens – The Rollende Keukens food festival (free entry) features dozens of mobile kitchens and food trucks offering appetising dishes plus live music. Scheduled for 25-29 May 2022 (14th edition) at Westerpark in Amsterdam.
See our complete festival calendar for Amsterdam
Fairs & Expos in Amsterdam and Netherlands
Fairs/expos in May 2022 to be confirmed.
Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Magic Show – Monthly magic and comedy show with international performers. At Boom Chicago’s Rozentheater, Rozengracht in Amsterdam. Expected show on 3 May 2022. Book Amsterdam Magic Show tickets here
Boom Chicago – Comedy and improv shows in English playing at Rozentheater on Rozengracht. Book Boom Chicago here
Sarah Millican – The English stand-up comedian comes to Carré theater in Amsterdam for her Bobby Dazzler show on 6 May 2022.
John Bishop – The comedy performer from Liverpool (UK) plays 2 shows at Meervaart Theater in Amsterdam on 18/19 May 2022.
Trevor Noah – The South African comedian brings his Loud & Clear Tour to Ziggo Dome Amsterdam. The show has been rescheduled for 21 May 2022.
Jeff Dunham – The American ventriloquist comedian performs his Seriously!? show at Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on 29 May 2022.
Classical Concerts & Theatre in Amsterdam
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
Netherlands Public Holidays May 2022 – Thursday 26 May (Ascension Day).
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.
Keukenhof 2022 – After closure in 2020 and 2021, the world famous tulip and flower park is expected to open its doors for the spring season from 24 Mar to 15 May 2022.
Market Events in Amsterdam
Pure Markt – Regular market event with high quality produce, music, food stalls and other activities. 2022 season to be confirmed.
Sunday Market – Sunday market at Westergas with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. Scheduled for 1 May 2022 (1200-1800).
Museum Market – Museumplein hosts this Sunday market with arts and crafts, food and music. 15 May 2022 (1000-1800).
IJ-Hallen – Large weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam with 500 outdoor stands. 14-15 May 2022 (0900-1630).
Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam
A-Ha – 4 May, AFAS Live
Kate Nash – 12 May, Paradiso
Dua Lipa – 17/18 May, Ziggo Dome
Pet Shop Boys – 18 May, AFAS Live
Billy Bragg – 20/21/22 May, Paradiso
Zucchero – 24 May, Ziggo Dome
Gary Numan – 26 May, Melkweg
Seasick Steve – 26 May, Paradiso
Macy Gray – 29 May, Paradiso
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.
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.
