Events for September 2011
While locals and tourists cling to the last rays of summer, September still offers plenty of events in Amsterdam - on terraces, in parks, along the canals, in museums and in theatre venues with a line-up of festivals covering everything from experimental music to the art of storytelling.
Story Highlights
- Jordaan Festival
- Robodock Arts Festival
- National Restaurant Week
- Amsterdam Fringe Festival
- Netherlands Theatre Festival
- Valtifest
- Draaiorgelfestival
- Open Monumentendag
- Taste of Amsterdam
- Alternative Events in September
Jordaan Festival September 16 to 18, 2011
Held in the ever-popular Jordaan District, this is a big and quirky inner city street festival that celebrates the diversity of this former worker's district. Features this year include percussion bands, a children's festival, opera, cabaret, a boules competition, a flea market and an auction. www.jordaanfestival.nl
Robodock Arts Festival Mid September
This is a unique festival presenting contemporary art shows in the huge and old NDSM shipyard depot, in Amsterdam North. The atmosphere is rough, industrial and experimental. Expect a lot of loud music, fire, smoke, noise and heavy machinery. Exploring new ideas is a key element and it can be a very inspiring space. www.robodock.org
National Restaurant Week
Twice a year, restaurants all over the Netherlands organize a week-long event, during which they offer a full three-course dinner for just €25. The National Dining Week is a great opportunity to dine at some of the best restaurants in the country. A list of the participating restaurants is available online. www.restaurantweek.nl
Amsterdam Fringe Festival - September 1 to 11, 2011
80 performances, 10 days, 25 locations this is the Amsterdam Fringe Festival! It's the quirkier and less conservative cousin of the Netherlands Theater Festival and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate independent Dutch theatre. This year the fringe expands globally with performers coming all the way from Poland, Prague, South Africa and the USA. www.fringefestival.nl
Netherlands Theatre Festival - September 1 to 11, 2011
As last year's cultural season draws to a close, the best Dutch theater pieces are reprised at the Netherlands Theater Festival. Popular performances like Richard III are already sold out so if you're a theatre buff, get your tickets as soon as possible. www.tf.nl
Valtifest - September 3, 2011
Valtifest is a unique city festival that takes place in a decayed industrial site near central Amsterdam. The festival is organized by MTV and combines creativity, madness, innovative music, fashion, arts and acrobatics. This year's theme (which is taken very seriously) is - All in the Family. The line-up is impressive and this is expected to be the most exuberant family party in the Netherlands. www.valtifest.nl
Draaiorgelfestival (Barrel Organ Festival) - September 10, 2011
Love them or hate them, barrel organs (draaiorgels) are a Dutch Tradition and apparently as my Dutch friend says: It doesn't get any Dutch-er. Dam Square teems with enthusiasts and their organs at this yearly festival.
Open Monumentendag (Open Monument Day) - September 10 and 11, 2011
Each year during the second weekend in September, some 4,000 Dutch monuments invite the public in for free on Open Monument Day. This year the event celebrates its 25th anniversary with the theme of re-using historic buildings. www.openmonumentendag.nl
Taste of Amsterdam - September 22 to 25, 2011
Join 16,000 fellow foodies at Taste of Amsterdam, where top local restaurateurs show off their skills to the public at the Amstelpark. www.tasteofamsterdam.com
Alternative Events in September
Design Buffs can head to the Inside Design Amsterdam organised by the magazine - Elle Wonen. This showcases the best design shops in the city, adding to it a number of special presentations, exhibits, fashion shows and lectures, as well as free interior decorating advice and parties.
For budding florists there's the Flower Parade - a three kilometer long ribbon of flower adorned floats that travels from Aalsmeer on the outskirts of Amsterdam, to the city centre.
For those of you who prefer something more offbeat, Festival 5D could be an interesting option. The festival takes place on the NDSM wharf and strives to stimulate all the senses with its combination of theater, music, workshops, food and more. www.festival5d.nl
- Ankita Mahabir
