What’s On in Amsterdam November 2020
A look at what’s on in Amsterdam, Netherlands in November 2020. As winter approaches there are still lots of things going on in the city. Our listings include special events, festivals, sports, exhibitions, concerts and anything else of interest!
Museums & Exhibitions in Amsterdam
For a comprehensive selection of museums, activities and tours in Amsterdam book here
Rijksmuseum – Reopened in April 2013 after 10 years of renovation, the Rijksmuseum’s rich collection (including Rembrandt’s Night Watch) is a must-see in Amsterdam. Slavery, a major exhibition which focuses on slavery in the Dutch colonial period, spanning from the 17th to the 19th century. Runs 25 Sep 2020 to 17 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. 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. The house and museum is open to visitors though you must pre-book online for a date/time slot.
Hermitage Amsterdam – Showcases an exhibition every 6 months from the vast collection of the grand State Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia. Tsars & Knights, exhibition about how 19th century Europe developed a growing nostalgia for the Middle Ages and how the Russian Tsars obtained a significant collection of medieval artworks, suits of armour and display weaponry. Runs 26 May to 8 Nov 2020.
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.
Outsider Art Museum – 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.
MOCO Museum – This modern and contemporary art museum on Museumplein. 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. 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.
Huis Marseille Photography Museum – Vincent Delbrouck: Champú, exhibition of contemporary photos of Cuba. Runs 5 Sep to 6 Dec 2020.
Body Worlds – Display of human body plastinate specimens at the permanent venue on Damrak. The exhibition focuses on happiness.
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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:
2020/21 season fixtures to be announced
Athletics/Running:
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.
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.
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. Expected end of November 2020.
Boxing:
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. 14th anniversary edition due to be held in November 2020.
Inline Skating:
Friday Night Skate – 20km organised skate around the streets of Amsterdam held every Friday night (2030, weather permitting) from Vondelpark Pavilion.
See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam
Festivals in Amsterdam
IDFA 2020 – International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam. Annual event (32d 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
KABOOM Animation Festival – New animation film festival which replaces the former KLIKxHAFF Festival. It will feature a separate program for both children and adults. It is expected again in November 2020 in Utrecht and then Amsterdam with likely locations Het Ketelhuis & Machinegebouw at Westergas.
Amsterdam Art Weekend – Special contemporary art event with around 100 events in total (exhibitions, performances, film screenings and debates) at 40 locations around the city. Expected November 2020 (9th edition) at various locations including Stedelijk Museum, EYE Film, Rijksakademie and Oude Kerk in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Light Festival – Heading into its 9th year, this event promises to light up the city during the festive season. Featuring a Water Colours boat route which can best be seen by taking an evening canal cruise; or check out the the new land exhibition around Amsterdam’s Marineterrein. Expected Nov 2020 to Jan 2021.
See our complete festival calendar for Amsterdam
Fairs & Expos in Amsterdam and Netherlands
Affordable Art Fair – 12th edition of the international art fair with art objects under €6,000 for sale. At Kromhouthal on the north bank of the IJ, expected 29 Oct to 1 Nov 2020.
Sieraad Art Fair – International jewellery art fair (19th edition). At Westergas in Amsterdam, 5-8 Nov 2020.
PAN Amsterdam – Large international fair for art, antiques and design with over 100 galleries and dealers. Amsterdam RAI, 22-29 Nov 2020.
IAMExpat Fair The Hague 2020 – One-day event connecting the expat community with various stands, workshops and presentations. At Grote Kerk (church) in The Hague, 7 Nov 2020). Annual Amsterdam event takes place in April.
Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Magic Show – At Boom Chicago’s Rozentheater, Rozengracht in Amsterdam, Tuesday 3 Nov 2020 at 2000. Book Amsterdam Magic Show tickets here
Boom Chicago – Comedy and improv show held Wed – Sat and 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.
Dutch National Opera & Ballet – Season 2020/21 to be announced.
Book a concert here at Amsterdam’s renowned Royal Concertgebouw hall.
Other Events in Amsterdam
TEDxAmsterdam 2020 – The 12th edition of the speaker’s conference event is scheduled to take place at the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam in November 2020.
Ice*Amsterdam – Get your skates on and hit the spectacular ice rink on Museumplein in the shadow of the Rijksmuseum. Expected to open mid-November 2020 and should run until early February 2021.
Sinterklaas Arrives – The Dutch version of Santa Claus (or St Nicholas) makes his annual arrival in Amsterdam on Sunday 15 Nov 2020. His boat will sail along the Amstel river before arriving at the Maritime museum at midday. He then jumps on his white horse surrounded by his (controversial) helpers the Zwarte Pieten (“Black Petes”) and heads to Dam Square and Leidseplein. This marks the start of the festive season – Sinterklaas is usually celebrated around 5 December.
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
Bimhuis – Jazz venue has free Workshop & Session every Tuesday in November at 2000.
Concertgebouw – Free lunchtime concerts held on occasional Wednesdays at 1230 in either the small hall (kleine zaal) or large hall (grote zaal). For concerts in the small hall, free tickets must be collected from the ticket desk.
Dutch Opera & Ballet – These lunchtime concerts in the Opera & Ballet foyer present music by small groups of musicians, including members of the Chorus of Dutch National Opera, the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and Netherlands Chamber Orchestra. Season 2020/21 to be announced.
Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ – Free monthly concert showcasing young classical talent. Season 2020/21 to be announced.
Market Events in Amsterdam
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.
Sunday Market – Sunday market at Westergas with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. 1 Nov 2020 (1200-1800); Homeware Market at De Hallen 8 Nov 2020 (1100-1700); Sunday Market Rokin edition at Oude Turfmarkt on 22 Nov 2020 (1200-1800); New Market (Deli & Lifestyle) at Nieuwmarkt on Friday 27 Nov 2020 (1100-1800).
Museum Market – Museumplein hosts this Sunday market with arts and crafts, food and music on 15 Nov 2020 (1000-1800).
IJ-Hallen – Huge weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam. 31 Oct – 1 Nov 2020 (0900-1630) and 21-22 Nov 2020 (0900-1630) with 500 indoor stands.
Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam
A-Ha – 18 Nov, AFAS Live
Nightwish – 23/24 Nov, Ziggo Dome
Status Quo – 25 Nov, AFAS Live
Simply Red – 27/28 Nov, Ziggo Dome
Zucchero – 29 Nov, Ziggo Dome
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
