30 June-5 August 2007
Bijlmer Park, Bijlmer (Amsterdam Zuid-Oost)

The largest multicultural festival in the Netherlands, which serves as a platform for ethnic-cultural societies from all across the country, is held every weekend until 5 August. The vibrant event, which takes place each year attracts more than a million visitors and has live music, movies, sports, food, dancing and an info market. A highly enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

11 July 2007
Heineken Music Hall

Cultuur Park Westergasfabriek (Open-Air)
8 July 2007

6 July 2007
Westergpark

5-15 July 2007
NDSM-werf (Amsterdam-Noord)

Large-scale, site-specific performances are the hallmark of this inventive avant-garde festival which takes place in a former shipyard, as the name suggests, across the River IJ in Amsterdam-Noord. As well as some quirky Dutch-language experimental theater (which is usually pretty visual so it doesn’t matter if you haven’t got to grips with the language yet), there is dance, music and installations. To get there, take the free ferry from behind Centraal Station to the NDSM-werf.

4-8 July 2007
Various locations

Each year, this international electronic music festival affords a unique opportunity to see top DJs – including Tiga, Miss Kittin, DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist – at work in relatively small clubs all around the city. It kicks off with Daft Punk at the Heineken Music Hall (unfortunately sold out though it may be possible to pick up tickets outside on the night).

4 July 2007
Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek (Open-Air Concert)

Support is Groove Armada.

3-14 July 2007
Various locations

This superb international festival of cutting-edge dance performances takes place at various locations around the Leidseplein and is complemented by the Cinedans festival of dance films (July 6-11). It opens with a performance by award-winning dancer/choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.

1 July 2007
Amsterdam ArenA