Plan your summer adventure: 4 Must-Visit Festivals in the Heart of Amsterdam
This month, you can enjoy a festival nearly every weekend in our capital, celebrating everything from food to classical music, hip-hop to theatre. There is something for everyone in August, starting off with the Canal Parade. Here, we have listed the best festivals coming to the centre of Amsterdam for you to enjoy, and The Uptown Meat Club is happy to welcome you afterwards for a snack or a more elaborate dinner in our restaurant.
Canal Parade — August 5
On Saturday, 5 August, the world-famous boat parade sails through Amsterdam’s canals. The colourful parade, for its 27th time, starts at 12:00 at the Oosterdok and goes along the Amstel and the Prinsengracht to end around 18:00 at the Westerdok. In the middle of the route is The Uptown Meat Club, a stone's throw from the Prinsengracht. Come by for a snack or a late lunch.
Amsterdam Canal Festival — 11 to 20 August
The Grachtenfestival is the largest classical music festival in the Netherlands. The line-up includes young talent up to the age of 35 from all over the world. This year Tolhuistuin is the heart of the Grachtenfestival, which features children's concerts and club concerts, jazz and classical concerts—and nearly 20 free events. The musicians and ensembles can be found at more than 80 different locations around the city, including the Vondelkerk and Het Concertgebouw. Eating out in town after the festival? Book a table at our steak restaurant in the middle of the bustling Museum Quarter.
De Parade — August 18 to September 3
From 18 August to 3 September, the 32nd edition of this traveling theater festival will land in Amsterdam—in the Martin Luther King Park on the Amstel to be precise. De Parade features around 80 theatre, dance, mime and music performances for young and old. Most of the performances have been created especially for the festival, making a visit to the festival well worth it.
What's on the program? The Orkater company plays the 'cosmic concert' Ruimteplaat and poet Joost Oomen joins forces with De Poezieboys. In addition, comic talent Kim Karssen storms De Parade with her new show, Don't rain on my paREET. Want to have lunch in the centre before visiting the festival? In addition to premium steaks, we have delicious salads and sandwiches on the menu. The Uptown Meat Club also has several vegetarian lunch options.
THE OPENING (formerly De Uitmarkt) — 26 and 27 August
The Uitmarkt is known as the kick-off for the new cultural season. This year the event will take place for the first time in a new guise under the name DE OPENING. During the last weekend of August, you can book Sneak Peek Tours on Saturday and Sunday in Royal Theater Carré, where you will be presented with various previews of the cultural season. Kiki Schippers, Fuse and harpist Remy van Kesteren, among others, will be there.
Musical lovers can indulge themselves at the Musical Awards The Kick-Off. All musicals that can be seen from September provide a festive succession of diverse performances. Swinging and moving songs from Disney's AIDA, De Hospita, Pretty Woman and many more are reviewed.
(Photo header: Melle Meivogel)