Whats On

What’s On in Amsterdam (October 2024)

Planning an autumn visit to Amsterdam, Netherlands? See what’s on in October 2024 with our exclusive curated listings guide below.

From museums and exhibitions, rock/pop and classical concerts, sporting events, festivals and conferences plus anything else of interest to the visitor or expat.

Museums, Exhibitions & Attractions in Amsterdam (October 2024)

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 

our house amsterdam
Our House Amsterdam

STRAAT – A totally unique experience. The world’s biggest street art and graffiti museum in a 8,000m² warehouse at NDSM wharf in Amsterdam which showcases some 180 artworks, all made on-site. Book STRAAT tickets here

straat museum amsterdam
STRAAT Museum Amsterdam

Madame Tussauds Amsterdam – Get your celebrity fill by visiting the ever-popular wax work museum on Dam Square. Book Madame Tussauds Amsterdam tickets here

madame tussauds amsterdam harry styles
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam – new Harry Styles figure

Amaze Amsterdam – An immersive audio-visual experience with 7 stages which varies from intense, interactive to relaxing. Excellent for a group activity. Located in an old industrial nightclub in Amsterdam’s West Port district. Book Amaze Amsterdam tickets here

amaze amsterdam
AMAZE Amsterdam

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. Book Nxt Museum tickets here

MOCO Museum – The popular modern and contemporary art museum on Museumplein. Banksy: Laugh Now has a diverse selection of works from the anonymous British street artist. In addition MOCO Masters features the likes of Warhol, Basquiat and Koons. Book MOCO Museum tickets here

moco museum amsterdam garden
MOCO Museum Amsterdam

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

van gogh museum amsterdam entrance hall
Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam

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]

anne frank house room
Anne Frank House Amsterdam

WONDR Experience – A fun and immersive pop-up experience in Amsterdam for both adults and children alike. Book WONDR tickets here

wondr experience amsterdam
WONDR Experience Amsterdam

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

Rembrandt House – Visit the house where Rembrandt lived and worked. Book Rembrandt House 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 

rembrandts amsterdam
Rembrandt’s Amsterdam

Stedelijk – Amsterdam’s main modern and contemporary art museum. Book Stedelijk tickets here

Wereldmuseum Amsterdam – Ethnographic museum (formerly Tropenmuseum) featuring fascinating exhibitions on non-Western cultures. Book Wereldmuseum Amsterdam tickets here

tropenmuseum great hall
Wereldmuseum Amsterdam

Royal Palace – Visit the imposing palace on Dam Square including the magnificent Citizen’s Hall. Book Royal Palace tickets here

ARTIS Amsterdam Royal 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 Zoo tickets here

ARTIS Groote Museum – The fascinating new Groote Museum allows you to explore your place in the living world with beautifully presented installations and exhibits. Book Groote Museum tickets here

ARTIS Micropia – The world’s only museum dedicated to microbes and micro-organisms. Book Micropia 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

body worlds amsterdam
Body Worlds Amsterdam

Amsterdam Dungeon – Interactive show featuring excellent actors and audience participation. Takes you through dark dungeon-themed rooms from Amsterdam’s murky past – scary but with a comic element. Book Amsterdam Dungeon tickets here

amsterdam dungeon
Amsterdam Dungeon

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

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

rijksmuseum schiphol aiport
Rijksmuseum Schiphol

Amsterdam City Passes

These all inclusive passes may save you money on a well planned Amsterdam itinerary.

Most museums + city transport
Includes attractions + tours
I amsterdam City CardGO City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass
iamsterdam city card appgo city
1/2/3/4/5 days2/3/5 days
24 hours basis
calendar day basis
€60/€85/€100/€115/€125€104/€124/€169
70 museums + transport + canal cruise + bike rentalOver 25 attractions/tours + canal cruise + bike rental
excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / tours
excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / transport
Book here Book here
I amsterdam City Card infoGO City Amsterdam Pass info

Sport in Amsterdam and Netherlands (October 2024)

Football:
Ajax home fixtures at Johan Cruijff ArenA Amsterdam:
2024/25 fixtures to be announced

It is possible to take a classic stadium tour of the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. Book Johan Cruijff Arena Tour tickets here

Athletics/Running:
TCS Amsterdam Marathon – The 46th edition of Amsterdam’s marathon event is due be held on Sunday 20 Oct 2024. The race which starts and finishes at the Olympic Stadium.

Amsterdam City Walk – 10, 14, 17, 20, 26 and 33 km walking events held the day before the Amsterdam marathon taking in the highlights of the city. On Saturday 19 Oct 2024 with the longer walks starting from the Olympic Stadium.

Boxing:
Ben Bril Boxing Gala – Ben Bril (1912-2003) was a Jewish Dutch boxer who fought aged 16 at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam and later survived deportation to a German concentration camp. An annual boxing and dinner show at Theater Carré Amsterdam is held in his memory, date to be announced.

Rowing:
Grachtenrace – Up to 140 sloop boats race over a 25km course around Amsterdam’s canals. Start/finish at the Olympic Stadium. 37th edition is scheduled for 12 Oct 2024.

Padel:
WPT Amsterdam Open – World Padel Tour raquet sport event takes place at AFAS Live in Amsterdam, dates to be announced.

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 (October 2024)

Lift-Off Film Festival – International film festival showcasing emerging artists and featuring shorts, documentaries, animations and features. Runs virtually, dates to be announced.

Cinekid – International film, television and new media festival for kids. Expected 19 Oct – 1 Nov 2024 at multiple venues with main location at Pathé Amsterdam Noord.

Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) – Major international conference and festival for electronic music. Runs 16-20 Oct 2024 at various locations around Amsterdam.

Camera Japan – Japanese cultural festival which features film, art, music plus Japanese food. Expected 3-6 Oct 2024 (19th edition) at LAB111 Amsterdam.

Imagine Fantastic Film Festival – Well-established international film festival showing sci-fi, cult, fantasy and horror films. 40th edition is expected 24 Oct to 3 Nov 2024 at FilmHallen & LAB111 in Amsterdam.

See our complete festival calendar for Amsterdam

Fairs & Expos in Amsterdam (October 2024)

VT Wonen & Design Beurs – Large house and home consumer exhibition fair at Expo Greater Amsterdam in Vijfhuizen. Scheduled for 1-6 Oct 2024.

Affordable Art Fair – International art fair with art objects under €7,500 for sale. At Kromhouthal on the north bank of the IJ, 9-13 Oct 2024.

I Am Not A Tourist – International expat fair organised by Expatica. Varied programme from job hunting, self-development and expat life. Date/venue to be announced.

Bitcoin Amsterdam 2024 – Large international conference event about blockchain and cryptocurrency with a range of keynote speakers. Runs 9-10 Oct 2024 at Westergas.

Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam (October 2024)

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

Amsterdam Magic Show – Monthly magic and comedy show with international performers. At Boom Chicago’s Rozentheater, Rozengracht in Amsterdam. Dates to be announced.

Matt Rife – The American comedian plays his Problematic World Tour show at Theater Carré in Amsterdam on 5 Oct 2024.

Classical Concerts & Theatre in Amsterdam (October 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

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

Amsterdam Dinner Cruise – 120 minute evening cruise around Amsterdam’s canals with a 4 course meal and drinks. Runs every Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat (1930) in October. Tickets are limited in numbers so please check Amsterdam Dinner Cruise availability here

canal dinner cruise amsterdam
Amsterdam Dinner cruise

Market Events in Amsterdam

Pure Markt – Regular market event with high quality produce, music, food stalls and other activities. 6 Oct 2024 (1100-1800) at Amsterdamse Bos, 13 Oct 2024 (1100-1800) at Amstel Park and 27 Oct 2024 (1100-1700) at Park Frankendael. Free entry

Sunday Market – Market events with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. 6 Oct 2024 (1200-1800) at Westergas and 13 Oct 2024 (1100-1700) at De Hallen. Free entry

Museum Market – Museumplein hosts this Sunday market with arts and crafts, food and music. Scheduled for 27 Oct 2024 (1000-1800). Free entry

IJ-Hallen – Large weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam with 400 indoor stands. Dates to be announced.

The Maker Market – Weekend market features creative handmade products including jewelry, art and live music. Runs in the covered passage of De Hallen Amsterdam on 26 Oct 2024 (1100-1700) and 27 Oct 2024 (1200-1700). Free entry

Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam (October 2024)

Gipsy Kings – 1 Oct, AFAS Live

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
GVB day ticketAmsterdam Travel TicketAmsterdam & Region Travel Ticket
GVB Day/Multi-Day ticketsAmsterdam Travel TicketAmsterdam & Region Travel Ticket
1/2/3/4/5/6/7 days1/2/3 days1/2/3 days
€9-€41€18/€24/€30€21/€31.50/€40.50
Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in AmsterdamValid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in AmsterdamValid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam
Valid on Schiphol airport train + 397 airport busValid on Schiphol airport train + 397 airport bus
Valid on regional NS trains + EBS/Connexxion/Arriva buses in region
24 hours basisCalendar day basisCalendar day basis
Digital + Card versionsCard onlyCard only
Order here Order here Order here
more infomore infomore info

The AmsterdamTips.com What’s On in Amsterdam has been running monthly since 2008. 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.

Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.

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