What’s On in Amsterdam November 2020
A look at what’s on in Amsterdam, Netherlands in November 2020. Our listings include special events, festivals, sports, exhibitions, concerts and anything else of interest!
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 were closed for 2 weeks (5-18 Nov 2020). Now re-open, visitors need to buy a ticket (and time-slot) online in advance.
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. Ed van der Elsken: Crazy World, images from the Dutch photographer’s personal work archive. Runs 30 Oct 2020 to 10 Jan 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. Your Loving Vincent: Van Gogh’s Greatest Letters, exhibition featuring a selection of his best letters, displayed alongside world-famous paintings. Runs 9 Oct 2020 to 10 Jan 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. 17 Oct 2020 to 31 Jul 2021.
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.
Nieuwe Kerk – World Press Photo 2020, renowned photo-journalism exhibition held annually at Amsterdam’s New Church. Runs 1 Jun to 29 Nov 2020.
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. Reflecting Forward by Studio Irma, a digital immersive art exhibition also has an extended run. Book MOCO Museum tickets here
Tropenmuseum – Ethnographic museum featuring fascinating exhibitions on non-Western cultures. BALI – Behind the scenes, an exhibition about the island on the Indonesian archipelago which looks at the environmental impact of tourism and the island traditions and culture. Runs 14 Feb 2020 to 10 Jan 2021. What a Genderful World, an exhibition which looks at cultural influences on gender around the world. Extended run to 3 Jan 2021.
Rembrandt House – Life/Time: Rembrandt, Abraham van Dijck and Aat Veldhoen, artistic depictions of older people. Runs 25 Sep to 29 Nov 2020.
Scheepvaartmusuem – The clipper Stad Amsterdam will be moored at the National Maritime Museum and open to visits on Wednesdays and Sundays from 12 Sep 2020 to 31 Mar 2021.
Stadsarchief – 100 Years of School Gardens, a free exhibition about the city’s tradition of garden allotments for primary school children. Runs 26 Aug 2020 to 3 Jan 2021.
FOAM Photography Museum – Alec Soth – I Know How Furiously Your Heart is Beating, exhibition from the American photographer. Expected 11 Sep to 6 Dec 2020.
FOAM Gallery Mercatorplein – Afropean Express: Travels in Black Europe, free outdoor photo exhibition runs 10 Oct to 10 Dec 2020.
Huis Marseille – Infinite Identities. Photography in the Age of Sharing, exhibition of 8 photographers and artists who use Instagram to share their work. Runs 28 Nov 2020 to 28 Feb 2021.
Allard Pierson Museum – Letters of Art Nouveau, graphic exhibition about the flamboyant letter shapes used in signs from the early 20th century and revived in the 1960s. Runs 23 Oct 2020 to 21 Mar 2021.
EYE Film – Trembling Landscapes, Between Reality and Fiction, group exhibition featuring Arab artists. Runs 19 Sep 2020 to 3 Jan 2021.
Framer Framed – From what will we reassemble ourselves, exhibition around the theme of the genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995. Runs 6 Sep 2020 to 3 Jan 2021.
Body Worlds – Display of human body plastinate specimens at the permanent venue on Damrak. The exhibition focuses on happiness.
COBRA (Amstelveen) – Under the Skin – Claude Cahun, retrospective exhibition of of the progressive French artist, activist and writer Claude Cahun (1894–1954). Runs 15 Oct 2020 to 9 May 2021.
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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 €65 to €130. You can order the Iamsterdam City Card online here |
Sport in Amsterdam and Netherlands
Football:
Ajax home fixtures at Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam:
Ajax vs Heracles Almelo 21 Nov 2020 (1845) – Eredivisie
Ajax vs FC Midtjylland 25 Nov 2020 (2100) – Champions League
Internationals at Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam:
Netherlands vs Spain 11 Nov 2020 (2045) – friendly
Netherlands vs Bosnia and Herzegovina 15 Nov 2020 (1800) – UEFA Nations League
Women’s International at Rat Verlegh Stadion Breda:
Netherlands (W) vs USA (W) 27 Nov 2020 (1835) – friendly
Athletics/Running:
[X] Olympic Stadium Run – The Olympischstadionloop (43rd edition) is a 1km/5km/10km running event which starts and finishes at the Olympic Stadium in the south of Amsterdam. Scheduled for 8 Nov 2020, the event has been cancelled on public safety measures.
Friday Night Run – Free monthly 1 hour run organised by running group Phanos. Meet at Olympic Stadium Amsterdam at 1930 on Friday 13 Nov 2020.
[X] Movember Run Amsterdam – 5km charitable (and humorous) run around the Vondelpark in Amsterdam to raise funds for Movember. Also counts as the official Dutch Championship (NK) for running with a moustache. This year’s run has been cancelled but a virtual event will go ahead during November.
Boxing:
[X] Ben Bril Boxing Gala – Ben Bril (1912-2003) was a Jewish Dutch boxer who fought at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam and later survived deportation to a German concentration camp. This annual boxing and dinner show at Theater Carré is held in his memory. The 2020 event will not go ahead.
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.
See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam
Festivals in Amsterdam
IDFA 2020 – International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam. Annual event (32nd edition) showing a wide variety of thought-provoking documentaries. Main locations at Pathé Tuschinski, Het Ketelhuis, de Brakke Grond theatre. Runs 18-29 Nov 2020, online screenings until 6 Dec 2020.
[X] Ambacht in Beeld Festival – Craft festival offering workshops, masterclasses and films covering a wide range of craft skills. Event scheduled for De Hallen in west Amsterdam over 14-15 Nov 2020 has been cancelled.
Amsterdam Art Gallery Weekend – The main contemporary Amsterdam Art Weekend event has been moved back to April 2021. However a small scale Amsterdam Art Gallery Weekend will run 25-29 Nov 2020.
See our complete festival calendar for Amsterdam
Fairs & Expos in Amsterdam and Netherlands
[X] Affordable Art Fair – 12th edition of the international art fair with art objects under €7,500 for sale. At Kromhouthal on the north bank of the IJ. The event has been postponed to spring 2021.
[X] Sieraad Art Fair – International jewellery art fair at Westergas in Amsterdam. 19th edition due 5-8 Nov 2020 is cancelled and has been moved to November 2021.
[X] PAN Amsterdam – Large international fair for art, antiques and design with over 100 galleries and dealers. 2020 edition has been cancelled, re-scheduled for 21-28 Nov 2021 at RAI Amsterdam.
[X] IAMExpat Fair The Hague 2020 – One-day event connecting the expat community with various stands, workshops and presentations. 2020 event has been cancelled. Will return at At Grote Kerk (church) in The Hague, 13 Nov 2021. Annual Amsterdam event takes place in April.
Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam
From 5-18 Nov 2020, theatres and shows in the Netherlands were suspended.
[X] Amsterdam Magic Show – At Boom Chicago’s Rozentheater, Rozengracht in Amsterdam, Tuesday 10 Nov 2020 at 2000 (cancelled). Book Amsterdam Magic Show tickets here
Boom Chicago – Comedy and improv shows in English playing at Rozentheater on Rozengracht. Book Boom Chicago here
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. November shows are online streams only.
Dutch National Opera & Ballet – Productions in November 2020 include opera Figaro (solo): Bring me a Storm and Back to Ballet shows. These are online streams only.
Other Events in Amsterdam
[X] TEDxAmsterdam 2020 – The 12th edition of the speaker’s conference event is scheduled as an online event taking place on 25 Nov 2020. The theme is “Act II: The World of Tomorrow”.
[X] Ice*Amsterdam – Get your skates on and hit the spectacular ice rink on Museumplein in the shadow of the Rijksmuseum. Unfortunately this year’s event has been cancelled, expected to return for winter season 2021/22.
[?] Sinterklaas Arrives – The Dutch version of Santa Claus (or St Nicholas) makes his annual arrival by boat in Amsterdam on Sunday 15 Nov 2020. This marks the start of the festive season – Sinterklaas is usually celebrated around 5 December.
However, many Sinterklaas events around the country have been cancelled, it is likely the Amsterdam event will be a televised version to limit crowds.
Bijenkorf lights – Check out the lights and window displays at the Bijenkorf department store on Dam Square.
De Balie – The multimedia venue near Leidseplein in Amsterdam hosts regular events about current affairs, politics and culture.
Free Concerts in Amsterdam
Most of the free concerts offered by various venues in Amsterdam have been temporarily suspended.
[X] Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ – Free lunchtime concerts expected on 12/19 Nov 2020 (1230) – now cancelled.
Market Events in Amsterdam
At this point, it is unclear whether the following events can go ahead.
[X] Pure Markt – Regular market event with high quality local and seasonal produce, music, food stalls and other activities. 15 Nov 2020 (1100-1700) at Amsterdamse Bos and 29 Nov 2020 (1100-1700) at Park Frankendael. November events cancelled.
[X] Sunday Market – Sunday market at Westergas with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. All November events are cancelled including the Sinterklaas market on 29 Nov 2020 (1200-1800).
[?] Museum Market – Museumplein hosts this Sunday market with arts and crafts, food and music on 22 Nov 2020 (1000-1800).
[X] IJ-Hallen – Huge weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam. Cancelled until further notice.
Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam
November concerts are cancelled.
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 December 2020
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.
