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March 17
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The Stille Omgang
The Stille Omgang silent procession takes place through the streets of Amsterdam every March. The procession commemorates the "Miracle of the Host" of 1345,
a bizarrely-named occurrence which involved a dying man vomiting upon being given the Holy Sacrament and last rites. He was then thrown on a fire,
but according to legend, survived - hence the need for a celebration of the miracle. The procession follows the road that pilgrims have used for centuries, Heiligeweg (Holy Way).
It begins and ends at Spui, via Kalverstraat, Nieuwendijk, Warmoesstraat and Nes. For more information go to:
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March 22 - May 20
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Keukenhof
For more then 60 years now, Keukenhof has been the most beautiful place in the world, where spring bursts out in all of its colourful majesty.
Here you can find inspiration and relaxation in a magnificent park environment. In addition to the millions of blooming flower bulbs and fantastic flower shows,
Keukenhof has the largest sculpture garden in the Netherlands and is the most photographed spot in the world. For more information go to:
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April 7 - 8
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Museumweekend
In this weekend the most museums are free or give a discount on the access price. For more information go to:
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April 17 - 28
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Imagine Amsterdam Fanastic Film Festival
During the Imagine Amsterdam Fanastic Film Festival (AFFF) you can see all kind of fantasy, horror and sciene fiction films. For more information go to:
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Apri 20 - June 17
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World Press Photo
The annual World Press Photo is the most prestigious international photojournalism competition.
Winning photos of the previous year are on display in Amsterdam's oldest "the Oude Kerk". For more information go to:
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April 21
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Flower parade
Flower parade. The program consists of a flower exhibition that can be viewed at the Klinkenbergerhallen in Sassenheim and the parade that travels from Noordwijk to Haarlem.
There’s a flower weekend in Haarlem during that period. For more information go to:
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April 30
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Queensday
Officially Queensday is the national celebration of the birthday of the Queen'mother' but in Amsterdam we use the occasion as an excuse to party hard.
All over the country the Dutch are celebrating Queensday and the national colour is Orange (the colour of the royal family).
Queensday is by far the largest open-air festivity in Amsterdam. An estimated 750.000 people come to visit the city and everybody is happy and have fun.
For those who love second-hand shopping all street trade is unregulated and all over the city. Technically it is not allowed to do 'serious' business on Queensday and in some places,
for example the Vondelpark, only children are allowed to display their commercial talents. But there are plenty of goodies for sale at ridiculous prices. For more information go to:
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May 4
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Remembrance Day
The national remembrance ceremony commemorating the Dutch who died in conflicts worldwide takes place at the National Monument on Dam Square.
At 20.00 Queen Beatrix will place a wreath at the monument, followed by two minutes of silence across the country. For more information go to:
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May 5
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Freedom Day
The National Celebration Day of Liberation and Freedom will be held in Amsterdam with two great manifestations. In the afternoon and evening the big 'bevrijdings festival' is organised at the Museumplein.
A multicultural festival of music and meaning, celbration freedom. In the evening there is a festive open-air concert on Amsterdam's Amstel River in front of Theatre Carré. For more information go to:
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May 9 - 13
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Art Amsterdam 2011
Art Amsterdam is the largest fair for contemporary and modern art in the Netherlands. The fair is a launching pad for the latest talent and a platform for established names.
On offer are photography, painting, sculpture, videoart, installations and drawings.
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June 1 - 28
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Holland Festival
Theatre, music, drama, dance, opera, film, pop. Western and non-Western. A wide variety of the stage arts with one characteristic in common: great artistic quality and an international dimension.
Focusing on the many forms of cross pollination possible between the arts. That is what the Holland Festival stands for. And has done ever since 1947. For more information go to:
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June 3 - August
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Vondelpark Openluchttheater
The Vondel Park Open-air Theater offers a range of performing arts. The varied program includes plays and concerts of jazz, classical, pop and world music.
And it is for free. For more information go to:
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June
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World Naked Bike Ride
Every year, in cities around the world, people ride bikes naked to celebrate cycling and the human body. The ride demonstrates the vulnerability of cyclists on the road and is a protest against car culture.
World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) is an international clothing-optional bike ride in which participants plan, meet and ride together en masse on human-powered transport, to "deliver a vision of a cleaner, safer, body-positive world.".
For more information go to:
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June 16 - 18
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Open Garden Days
Canal house gardens, which are not normally open to visitors, can be admired for three days. If you wonder what the gardens behind the gables of all those fancy canalside houses look like,
this is your chance to find out. A number of the best are open to the public. For more information go to:
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June 21 - 28
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ITs Festival
For ten days each year, the theatres on De Nes accommodate the centre of the festival where the new crop of dancers, actors, cabaret artists, pop musicians, mime artists, choreographers, opera singers and theatre directors show what they can do.
The programme of performances is entirely focussed on your young graduating theatre maker. ITs is to them the first step on the road to fulfilling their dream of a successful international career. Since its establishment in 1989,
ITs has evolved from a small-scale Amsterdam student festival to a major public event of international fame. For more information go to:
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July 3 - 14
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Julidans
Festival of contemporary dance in various locations, including Stadsschouwburg, Bellevue and Paradiso. Performances by dance groups from a range of countries. For more information go to:
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July 5 - 8
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Amsterdam Roots Festival
Listen to good music, enjoy a snack, stroll pst stands and dance. The Roots Open Air is a dynamic open-air festival where sounds,
colors and smells from all corners of the world come together. On Sunday the 26th of June the festival closes with a free open-air event, the Alliantie Roots Open Air, in the Oosterpark. For more information go to:
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July - August
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Robeco Summer Concerts
Throughout the summer visitors can enjoy the world famous accoustics of the Large and Small Auditorium of the Concertgebouw.
Prior to the concerts it is possible to take a look behind the scenes of the Concertgebouw. For more information go to:
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July 5 - 15
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Over het IJ Festival
This festival presents opera, theatre, visual arts and a dynamic festival centre.
For more information go to:
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July 11 - 15
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Amsterdam International Fashion Week
Focusing on Amsterdam's reputation as an inspiring city, the AIFW programme combines commerce with creativity.
Alongside the catwalk show schedule the programme includes fashion events, lectures, exhibitions, reail initiatives and parties. For more information go to:
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August 4
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Gay Pride Amsterdam
The Canal Parade on Saturday, is the highlight of the Amsterdam Pride event. This carnivalesque and extravagant procession of 80 boats makes its way through the heart of Amsterdam. For more information go to:
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August 10 - August 26
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De Parade
The Parade is a live panorama of theater, dance, music, art, entertainment, magic, attractions and spectacle. Because of the colorful marquees,
the whirligig and the world restaurants, The Parade very much resembles an old-fashioned fairground. For more information go to:
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August 10 - August 19
August 20
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Grachtenfestival
Prinsengracht Concert
In six days top international musicians and young talent will perform well over seventy concerts. There is also a Canal Festival for children.
Highlight is the Prinsengracht Concert.
Music lovers can enjoy classical music performed by renowned soloists from the sides of the Prinsengracht Canal, from boats or bridges. The fairy-lights which illuminate the facades,
the trees and the Wester Tower add magic to this unique experience. For more information go to:
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August
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Hartjesdagen op de Zeedijk
In the course of years this originally medieval street-party grew into a real carnival where thousands of visitors come up to. It opens on Saturday afternoon with a streettheatrefestival showing spectacular acts of international fame. Sunday afternoon is it time for the big Hartjesparade;
a colourful procession of men dressed up as women and women dressed up as men, followed by the election of the Hartje van de Zeedijk 2009.
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August 24 -26
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Uitmarkt Amsterdam
Opening of the new cultural season with performances on indoor and outdoor stages. Large information market and book market.
For more information go to:
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September 8 - 9
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Open Monumentendag
National Heritage Weekend (Open Monumentendag), all over the country. A chance to see historical buildings and monuments that are usually not open to the public,
and to get in free as well. Second Saturday and Sunday in September. This year is the theme "Reuse of built heritage". For more information go to:
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September 21 - 23
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Jordaanfestival
A typical Amsterdam street party, or better a typical Jordaan street party. You can listen and dance on the music of local singers.
It happends near the Elandsgracht. For more information go to:
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October 14
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Sloop race on Amsterdam's canals
This unique boat race on Amsterdam's canals will demand a good deal of skill on the part of the steersmen and -women on account of the tricky passages
beneath bridges and the other sloops and canal boats negotiating the canals, which will certainly make it difficult to reach the finish without damage.
This race is also very attractive for supporters, as they will be able to follow the sloops along almost the entire trajectory, certainly by bicycle.
For more information go to:
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October
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Cinikid Festival
Cinekid is a film festival especially for children. From October 20 through October 29 the latest youth films and a selection of the best national and international television programs will be shown.
For more information go to:
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October 21
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Amsterdam Marathon
The Amsterdam Marathon comprises three parts: the marathon race, the open marathon, the Half Marathon (21.98 km) for joggers, and the Mini Marathon (4.2 km).
For more information go to:
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October 17 - 21
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Amsterdam Dance Event
The Amsterdam Dance Event is the worlds biggest club festival with over 700 DJ's and acts performing in 40 of Amsterdam’s finest venues,
DJ cafés, record stores, lounges and art galleries. The ADE has grown into a business conference that attracts 1900 key professionals and a club festival audience of 72.000 people..
For more information go to:
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November 3
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Museumnacht Amsterdam
All museums of Amsterdam are open this evening and with a passe partout you can visit them all. Between the famous paintings there are special perfomance like music,
dance, lectures etc. Transport by museum tram, bus and boat is included in the ticket price.
For more information go to:
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November 14 - 25
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International Documentary Filmfestival Amsterdam (IDFA)
International Documentary Filmfestival Amsterdam (IDFA) This festival presents 200 documentary films and videos.
In addition, special screenings, discussions and talk shows can be enjoyed.
For more information go to:
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November 18 - 25
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pAn-Amsterdam
PAN Amsterdam is the most important national art and antiques fair and a must for every art lover. PAN Amsterdam has many faces: contemporary and modern art and design go hand in hand with objects that have a long history—a beach scene by Cézanne,
a 16th-century Madonna, a spectacular glass chandelier. Quality is all important.
For more information go to:
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November 13 December 5
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Intocht Sinterklaas
The Holy Man arrives every year around 11.30 AM at the Central Station by steamer. He will be accompanied by hundreds of his helpers (zwarte piet), lots of music and lots of fun.
On the eve of his feast day, December 5th, St. Nicholas visits all children. After knocking on the door he gives them a bag full of presents, that is they were good children.
Read more about the story of Sinterklaas:
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December -
January
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Winter Magic Amsterdam
Winter Magic Amsterdam will consist of four major events and the possibilty of daily canal cruises in specialy decorated boats throughout the magic city.
And of course you don’t want to miss the main event, the Christmas Canal Parade on the 23rd of December when some 40 boats decorated with lights, music,
costumes etc will parade through the Prinsengracht, a delight to watch for young and old alike.
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December - January
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Winterland Amsterdam
In the winter the city centre is more attractive than ever because of the Winter Event Amsterdam 2010. At the Leidseplein,
Rembrandtplein and Thorbeckeplein you'll find an ice rink, beautiful Christmas stalls and typical delicacies.
In the Winterland Café at the Rembrandtplein you can enjoy a hot chocolate milk while enjoying the performances by different bands and Christmas choirs.
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December 25 - 26
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Christmas Day
In Holland there are Christmas Day and Boxing day, both official holidays. There are no hard and fast rules for store opening hours during Christmas but most banks and shops are closed.
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December 31
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New Year's Eve
Along with Queensday, New Year is Amsterdam's wildest celebration. The dutch often begin their clebration with an evening of coffee, spirits and oliebollen ('oil-balls',
which taste better than they sound: they're blobs of dough, apple and raisins, made yummier with a sprinkle of icing sugar) with the family until midnight.
After midnight there's happy chaos throughout the city, with a lot of fireworks. The best spots which get seriously crowded are the Dam square, Nieuwmarkt, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein.
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