Keti Koti Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Wednesday 1 July
On Wednesday, July 1, the National Institute for the Study of Dutch Slavery and its Legacy (NiNsee) will organize the 21st annual National Remembrance Day for the Dutch Slavery Past. This commemoration will take place from 14.00 to 15.15 in the Oosterpark in Amsterdam and also marks the official start of the Year of Remembrance of the History of Slavery, with a delegation from the cabinet in attendance.
When: Wednesday 1 July – 14.00-15.15
Location: Oosterpark (Google Maps)
Info: www.ketikotiroute.nl
North Sea Jazz Festival Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July
The North Sea Jazz Festival is a three-day event that presents a wide range of jazz music and other genres such as blues, soul, funk, hip hop, and pop. Since 2018, the festival has been officially known as the North Sea Jazz Festival and has developed into an international event with fifteen stages and around 1,300 musicians, attracting between 85,000 and 90,000 visitors annually.
Location: De Duizendmeterweg 7 (Google Maps)
Info & tickets: www.northseajazz.com
World Press Photo 2026
Around 18 April
The World Press Photo exhibition is one of the leading platforms for photojournalism and visual storytelling. The exhibition was founded in 1955 as a platform for photojournalists to share their work.
Location: Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam (Google Maps)
Info: www.worldpressphoto.org
Vierdaagse
Nijmegen
21 to 24 July
During the ‘Vierdaagse’, participants walk for four days, covering distances ranging from 30 to 50 kilometres each day. Participants choose the distance they want to walk. The last day of the ‘Vierdaagse’ concludes on Sint Annastraat, which has been renamed ‘Via Gladiola’ for this occasion.
Info & tickets: www.4daagse.nl
Zomercarnaval Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Friday 24 & Sunday 25 July
Since 1984, Rotterdam has been the proud home of the Summer Carnival in the Netherlands. This year, the carnival will once again be in full swing on July 24 and 25. The Summer Carnival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city to enjoy the exuberant atmosphere, the parade, music, dancing, drinks, and snacks. The street festival is a whirlwind of color, movement, and music, bringing together cultural influences from many different nationalities.
Info & tickets: www.zomercarnaval.org
Parade
Rotterdam (19 to 28 June), The Hague (3 to 19 July), Amsterdam (24 July to 9 August) & Utrecht (14 to 30 August)
The Parade is the only traveling theater festival in the world where visitors can enjoy surprising performances, music, dance, and delicious food. The festival transforms city parks into bustling locations filled with unique shows created especially for the festival, for young and old alike.
Location: Martin Luther King park (Google Maps)
Info: www.deparade.nl
World Pride Amsterdam 2026
Saturday 25 July to Saturday 8 August
WorldPride will take place in Amsterdam for the first time, from July 25 to August 8, 2026. The city will celebrate freedom, diversity, and love on the occasion of 25 years of civil marriage for everyone, since the Netherlands became the first country to make this possible in 2001.
Info: www.pride.amsterdam
Lowlands
Biddinghuizen
August 21 to 23 August
In 2026, the Lowlands Festival will take place in Biddinghuizen from August 21 to 23. This three-day festival is all about music, culture, and partying.
Location: Biddinghuizen (Google Maps)
Info & tickets: www.lowlands.nl
Grachtenfestival
Amsterdam
August 7 to August 16
Experience music in a whole new way during the Grachtenfestival in Amsterdam, a unique event that brings classical music and jazz to a wide audience. This annual festival gives young, talented musicians the chance to shine in the spotlight and offers ten days of concerts in some of the city’s most beautiful locations.
Info & tickets: www.grachtenfestival.nl
Prinsengrachtconcert
Amsterdam
August 22
The Prinsengracht Concert in Amsterdam is the largest open-air classical music concert in the Netherlands. For more than 40 years, it has been an event that many people look forward to. Thousands of people enjoy enchanting classical music in a magical atmosphere, either from boats, on the quay, or via radio and television. This unique concert is free of charge and features world-class artists.
Info & tickets: www.prinsengrachtconcert.nl
