10 Best Festivals in Amsterdam

King's Day is among the biggest celebrations in Amsterdam and takes place on the king's birthday when about a million people dress in orange to celebrate the birthday. Everywhere you look, you'll find orange, in the streets and on the canals. As you move through the streets, you'll be surrounded by music, food, vendors and a gigantic, city-wide party.

King's Day changes whenever the king does; when the country gets a new king, the festival will shift to their birthday. Be sure you're celebrating on the right day!

The Amsterdam Light Festival is an annual celebration focused on the use of light in art, featuring famed artists, architectures and designers worldwide. These creative people bring their international creations to Amsterdam and place them along two different routes to view the themed displays.

Naturally, since the festival uses light to present art, it's best to go at night and view the light sculptures all over the city centre. You can view the works on foot or book a boat tour to see it all from the waterways.

Pride is a growing popular festival worldwide, raising awareness and celebration of the unique individuality of the LGBTQIA+ culture, and Amsterdam Gay Pride is the same. Between late July and early August, the city is alive with rainbow colours and attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year.

It spans a whole week of events and activities, including cultural exhibits, sporting events, public speakers and live entertainment. Street parties are common, and the event is designed to be inclusive, welcoming to all. It culminates in the Canal Parade of boats.

Tulip Day celebrates the worldwide Dutch association with tulips with a massive garden of around 200,000 tulips at Dam Square, and visitors can pick a free bouquet. Thousands of people descend on the most extensive garden in Amsterdam to view the sea of colour and the fragrant perfume of every variety of tulip that kicks off tulip season in the country.

It's not only a large garden, however. The festival organisers are known for arranging tons of promotions and surprises that change every year, from live appearances to special deals at local shops and restaurants.

The Amsterdam Coffee Festival draws caffeine lovers in droves with more than 200 craft coffee roasters, food stalls, equipment makers and celebrations of all things coffee, tea and chocolate. If you have a favourite coffee brand, you may well find them here, and every coffee connoisseur should experience this festival at least once.

The brands are represented by roasters, baristas and representatives who give you the chance to smell, taste, and revel in the latest trends in coffee roasts. About 12,500 people descend on Amsterdam every year for this festival.

Mysteryland was the first festival of its kind in Amsterdam to be exclusively dedicated to electronica and dance and sees the worlds biggest DJs appear every year. Tens of thousands of people descend on Amsterdam every August for a three-day festival where people camp out to catch their favourite acts.

The event, which began in 1993, has exploded from its origins and today even has overseas versions in Chile and the United States, but the Amsterdam original is the place to be. Check it out at the end of August in Haarlemmermeer every year.

Open Garden Days are celebrated all across Amsterdam during the third week of June, highlighting the beautiful private gardens in the city, which open to the public. These gardens are considered some of the best-kept secrets and hidden gems along the city's canals, and seeing them in person is a breath-taking sight to behold with brilliant colours and elaborate layouts.

About 30 gardens are open to the public during this time every year. Tickets are required, but one ticket lets you access every participating garden. You can also book passage on a special boat that will take you from one garden to another along the canal.

Chinese New Year is a big celebration all over the world, but in Amsterdam, on Dam Square, you'll find firecrackers, lanterns, dragon dances and delicious cuisine like you've never seen. Popularly called Lunar New Year, this time of year is an important celebration in Chinese culture and includes huge family gatherings, elaborate food rituals, temple charity, and of course, red everywhere you look.

It's said that raw fish salad eaten on Chinese New Year brings good luck and prosperity. If you happen to be in Amsterdam on February 1st, head for Nieuwmarkt, the Amsterdam Chinatown and get lost in this fantastic celebration.

The Holland Festival is one of the largest operating arts festivals in the Netherlands, showcasing theatre, dance, opera, movies, live music and other arts and entertainment. This international performance art festival takes place all over the city at various venues and is famed for providing the latest and greatest in renowned worldwide productions.

If you're interested in traditional live entertainment or even Dutch or international film, the Holland Festival is a must-visit. It lasts all month and takes place every June.

Amsterdam Dance Event, or ADE, as it's called locally, turns the capital city into a hotbed of electronica with parties, workshops, concerts and events all over the city. You can hear your favourite DJ's from all over the world, including old-school legends and the latest up-and-comers, as well as icons of the underground.

You can grab memorabilia, meet industry figures and catch live shows. If you're a raver of any stripe, this is the event to visit, and thousands of people come to Amsterdam to check out the artists and events on display.