Party time in party town

Amsterdam has the reputation for being Europe’s party town.

Festivals, celebrations. Amsterdam knows how to have a good time, hosting more than 300 festivals a year.

And the city (or, more precisely, its residents) are making the best of “Amsterdam750”.

This is just my pick of four from a big calendar …

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Amsterdam Light Festival returns from November 28, 2024, to January 19, 2025, with 27 artworks in beautiful, photogenic places — connected in a route along the canals of Amsterdam.

The lights are turned on at 5pm every day. From Sunday to Tuesday, they’re on until 10pm. From Wednesday to Saturday, they are on until 11pm. During the Christmas holidays, they will be on until 11pm every day with the exception of December 31, when they will be off.

This is the 13th year of Amsterdam Light Festival and, with the theme “Rituals”, this festival aims to connect residents and visitors in this anniversary year Amsterdam750.

FAIR PRICED VINTAGE MARKET

On November 9 and 10, this fourth annual vintage clothing market is at Door Open Space (NDSM-Werf). There will be a big range of hand-picked vintage items at fair prices.

Visitors can get free tickets to look for special finds and sustainable fashion.

EXPERIENCE AMSTSERDAM750

For this unique “culinary journey through the ages” on November 21 at Het Scheepvaartmuseum, some of Amsterdam’s top chefs will prepare a seven-course menu, representing a specific period in the city’s history.

The dishes will use ingredients from that time but in a modern, fine-dining style. History with a twist.

A spokesperson for Amsterdam Tourism explains: “The culinary journey will start from before Amsterdam received its city rights 750 years ago; when it was just a small fishing village on the Zuiderzee. Throughout the evening, guests will make culinary stops in various time periods, including the Middle Ages, the 17th century, the 19th century, and the 20th century, before finishing in the present day.

“Each dish tells a story, accompanied by a captivating audiovisual presentation.”

ART BELOW ZERO

From December 21, 2024, to March 2, 2025, this will be Europe’s biggest collection of ice sculptures. And it will be themed as a journey from the city’s founding in 1275 to the present.

And expect a world of ice, art and interactive experiences at Art Below Zero: 750 Years of Amsterdam.

There will be life-sized ice sculptures by master artists from around the world at iconic spots like the Rijksmuseum, Magere Brug and Paleis van Volksvlijt.

iamsterdam.com