Whats On

What’s On in Amsterdam (October 2025)

Planning an autumn visit to Amsterdam, Netherlands? See what’s on in October 2025 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 2025)

Fabrique des Lumières – Highly recommended immersive exhibitions of classical, modern and contemporary artists using cutting-edge technology with light projections and music. Current exhibition is The Kingdom of the Pharoes which explores the Egyptian civilisation. Runs 20 Mar 2025 to 31 Jan 2026. Book Fabrique des Lumières tickets here

Fabrique des Lumières The Kingdom of The Pharaohs
The Kingdom of The Pharaohs

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

straat museum panorama deck view
STRAAT Museum panorama deck

Amaze Amsterdam – An immersive 1 hour audio-visual experience spanning 3,000m² with 8 separate stages. Guaranteed to stimulates the senses – from intense, interactive to relaxing and chilled. Located in an old industrial nightclub in Amsterdam’s West Port district. Book Amaze Amsterdam tickets here

Nxt Museum – Dive into digital at the first “new media art” museum in the Netherlands. Still Processing, exhibition examining the evolution of image processing – both through machine algorithms and human perception. Runs 7 Feb to 5 Oct 2025. Book Nxt Museum tickets here

Rijksmuseum – The Rijksmuseum’s rich collection (including Rembrandt’s Night Watch) is a must-see in Amsterdam. At Home in the 17th Century, exhibition offering an intimate glimpse into the domestic lives of Dutch people three centuries ago. Runs 17 Oct 2025 to 11 Jan 2026. Book Rijksmuseum tickets here

rijksmuseum gallery
Rijksmuseum

Isamu Noguchi in the Rijksmuseum Gardens, scuplture exhibition featuring 30 works from the Japanese-American artist. Runs 28 May to 26 Oct 2025. Free entry

Van Gogh Museum – Iconic museum with the world’s largest collection of Vincent van Gogh paintings. Van Gogh and the Roulins. Together Again at Last, exhibition of portraits of the Roulins family made by Van Gogh in Arles in 1888. Runs 3 Oct 2025 to 11 Jan 2026. 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.

anne frank house room
Anne Frank House Amsterdam

Can’t find a ticket timeslot for the Anne Frank house? Why not instead book the Anne Frank & Jewish Quarter walking tour (2 hours) here

WONDR Experience – An immersive experience in Amsterdam with 15 rooms including disco balls, a lifesize doll house and fluffy karaoke booths – lots of fun for both adults and children alike. Book WONDR tickets here

The Upside Down Museum Amsterdam – Large interactive museum and Instagram/TikTok experience which includes optical illusions, upside-down rooms and super photogenic spaces. Book Upside Down Museum tickets here

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

MOCO Museum – Go loco in MOCO! The acclaimed 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

Rembrandt House – Visit the house where Rembrandt lived and worked. Home, exhibition about the role of the house in Rembrandt’s life with the views of some contemporary artists. Runs 26 Sep 2025 to 4 Jan 2026. 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

Royal Palace – Visit the grand Royal Palace on Dam Square including the impressive Citizen’s Hall. Book Royal Palace tickets here

De Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)The Roof of Amsterdam is the chance to climb up to the top of the church renovation scaffolding for a rare view. Runs 22 Mar to 2 Nov 2025. Book Roof of Amsterdam tickets here

Oude KerkKimsooja: To Breathe, large-scale installation with the theme of migration by the Korean contemporary artist. Runs 24 May to 9 Nov 2025. Book Oude Kerk tickets

Huis MarseilleMemento. Photography, interrupted, exhibition celebrating the museum’s 25th anniversary with over a hundred contemporary photographic highlights from its rich collection. Runs 28 Jun to 12 Oct 2025.

House of Bols – Stimulate your senses at the Cocktail & Genever Experience – featuring the Lucas Bols brand, which has been making liqueurs in Amsterdam since 1575. Book House of Bols tickets here

history room exhibit at house of bols amsterdam
History Room – House of Bols

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

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

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

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 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

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

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 days1/2/3/5 days
24 hours basis
calendar day basis
€65/€90/€108/€123/€135€100/€120/€146/€196
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 2025)

Football:
Ajax home fixtures at Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam:
2025/26 season 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 or book a VIP 2 hour guided tour here

Athletics/Running:
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 18 Oct 2025 with the longer walks starting from the Olympic Stadium.

TCS Amsterdam Marathon – The 47th edition of Amsterdam’s marathon event will be held on Sunday 19 Oct 2025. The race starts and finishes at the Olympic Stadium. The route takes the runners through Vondelpark, under the Rijksmuseum and along the Amstel river outside the city.

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. Runs 20 Oct 2025.

Padel:
Premier Padel Rotterdam – International padel sport tournament featuring 48 top male and female players. Next event expected 29 Sep – 5 Oct 2025 at Ahoy Rotterdam.

Rowing:
Grachtenrace – Up to 140 sloop boats race over a 25km course around Amsterdam’s canals. Start/finish at the Olympic Stadium. 38th edition is scheduled for 11 Oct 2025.

Inline Skating:
Friday Night Skate – 20km organised skate around the streets of Amsterdam held every Friday night (20:30, weather permitting) from Vondelpark Pavilion.

See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam

Amsterdam First Time Visitors

Here are a selection of activities particularly suited to a first visit to Amsterdam:

Festivals in Amsterdam (October 2025)

Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) – Major international conference and festival for electronic music. Runs 22-26 Oct 2025 at various locations around Amsterdam.

Camera Japan – Japanese cultural festival which features film, art, music plus Japanese food. Expected 2-5 Oct 2025 (20th edition) at LAB111 Amsterdam.

Cinekid – International film, television and new media festival for kids. Expected 11-26 Oct 2025 at multiple venues with main location at Pathé Amsterdam Noord.

Imagine Fantastic Film Festival – Well-established international film festival showing sci-fi, cult, fantasy and horror films. 41st edition is expected 30 Oct to 9 Nov 2025 at FilmHallen & LAB111 in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Lift-Off Film Festival – International film festival showcasing emerging artists and featuring shorts, documentaries, animations and features. Runs virtually, October 2025.

See our complete festival calendar for Amsterdam

Fairs & Expos in Amsterdam (October 2025)

VT Wonen & Design Beurs – Large house and home consumer exhibition fair at Expo Greater Amsterdam in Vijfhuizen. Scheduled for 7-12 Oct 2025.

Affordable Art Fair – International art fair with art objects under €7,500 for sale. At Kromhouthal on the north bank of the IJ, 8-12 Oct 2025.

Bitcoin Amsterdam 2025 – Large international conference event about blockchain and cryptocurrency with a range of keynote speakers. Runs 9-10 Oct 2025 at Westergas.

Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam (October 2025)

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

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

Lord of the Dance – Michael Flatley’s Irish dancing extravaganza comes to Theater Carré in Amsterdam on 18-19 Oct 2025.

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake – Groundbreaking performance of ballet Swan Lake from the British chreographer. Running at Theater Carré in Amsterdam over 29 Oct to 9 Nov 2025.

Classical Concerts & Theatre in Amsterdam (October 2025)

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 – An atmospheric 120 minute evening cruise around Amsterdam’s canals with a 4 course meal and drinks included. Runs every Wed to Sat (19:30) in October. Check Amsterdam Dinner Cruise availability here

amsterdam dinner cruise - lovers
Amsterdam Dinner Cruise (credit: Lovers)

Market Events in Amsterdam

Pure Markt – Regular market event with high quality produce, music, food stalls and other activities. At Amstelpark on 5 Oct 2025 (11:00-18:00), Amsterdamse Bos on 12 Oct 2025 (11:00-18:00) and Park Frankendael on 26 Oct 2025 (11:00-17:00). Free entry

Sunday Market – Market events with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff at Westergas. 5 Oct 2025 (12:00-18:00). Free entry

Museum Market – Museumplein hosts this Sunday market with arts and crafts, food and music. 26 Oct 2025 (10:00-18:00). Free entry

IJ-Hallen – Large weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam with 500 indoor stands. 11-12 Oct 2025 (09:00-16:30).

The Maker Market – Weekend market features creative handmade products including jewelry, art and live music. Runs in the covered passage of De Hallen Amsterdam, dates to be announced. Free entry

Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam & Netherlands (October 2025)

Diana Krall – 1 Oct, Carré
Jason Mraz – 1 Oct, Paradiso
Brit Floyd – Wish You Were Here – 12 Oct, AFAS Live
Eros Ramazzotti – 17/18 Oct, Ziggo Dome
Graham Nash – 21 Oct, Carré
Level 42 – 28 Oct, Paradiso
Xavier Rudd – 30 Oct, AFAS Live

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.

>>>What’s On in Amsterdam (November 2025)

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