30 July-15 August
Martin Luther King Park

At last this inimitable kitsch travelling carnival/theatre festival, one of the most unique events of the cultural year in the Netherlands, has reached its final destination of Amsterdam...

A variety of colourful tents, wooden treehouses, and other quirky structures, have been set up in the Martin Luther King Park – all containing a wide variety of mini-shows, restaurants and bars. It features the crême de la crême of mostly Dutch (but some international) avant-garde performance – including a number of English-language productions – ranging from theatre and dance to film, opera and circus acts. You’ll be spoilt for choice but don’t miss De Levende Jukebox (The Live Jukebox) in which a hilarious female duo sing requests taken from a list of cheesy tunes: they'll be playing on 31 July and 1, 6, 7, 8 August. Note that there is free-entry to the parade grounds before 5pm.

And, for that extra experience, highly recommended is taking the ‘Paradeboot’ (Parade Boat) to and from the event. The boat leaves from the pier on the Amstel side of Het Muziektheater every half an hour between 6.30pm-12.30am (1.30pm Fri, Sat) and returns on the hour from 7pm-1pm (2pm Fri, Sat). Journey time down the scenic Amstel is about 30 mins and there’s a bar on board plus DJs. Note that on the opening night (1 August) the grounds open at the later time of 6pm. Prices are ?9 (single) or ?10 (return) including entrance to De Parade or ?6 (single), return ?8 (not including entrance to De Parade).
Open: 3pm-1am (2am Fri, Sat).

Open: 3pm-1am (2am Fri, Sat).
Note that on the opening night (30 July) the grounds open at 6pm.

Price: Entrance to grounds is ?4 (free before 5pm); performances cost on average between ?2-20 (or are free)

More info about De Parade at www.mobilearts.nl

More info on De Parade Boat at
www.paradeboot.nl