Amsterdam’s 750th Birthday Brings Music, Art, and Shared Meals

Amsterdam will celebrate its 750th birthday as a city on October 27, 2025. It used to be a small fishing village on the Amstel River, but now it is a world center for culture, art, and new ideas. Between October 23 and 27, Amsterdam will come alive with five days of festivities celebrating this historic occasion. There will be concerts, exhibitions, performances, and neighborhood gatherings.

The celebrations begin with community events and free cake across the city, symbolizing Amsterdam’s spirit of inclusivity. On the morning of October 27, a 75-meter cake will be shared on Dam Square by Mayor Femke Halsema, followed by a grand evening concert on Museumplein featuring Dutch artists such as Maan, Karsu, Wibi Soerjadi, and Kris Kross Amsterdam, broadcast live by NOS.

The jubilee offers a rare opportunity to see Amsterdam through its people and traditions. Highlights of the anniversary week include:

• Vrijdenkersfestival at De Balie (Leidseplein) – discussions, lectures, and performances on freedom of expression, running until October 25.
• DAT!festival for Children’s Rights in Amsterdam-Noord – creative workshops for ages 7–17 on education, safety, and participation (October 26).
• Amsterdam. Voor Altijd exhibition on Museumplein – a visual storytelling project by young Amsterdammers about the city’s identity.

• Heel Amsterdam Eet – from October 24 to 27, 75 restaurants, community centers, and cultural spaces host shared meals, tastings, and cooking sessions.
• Great Amsterdam Quiz Finale (online and via AT5) – October 25 at 20:00, where teams compete to test their knowledge of the city.
• Open Days at the City Archives – October 25–26, featuring the medieval toll charter that founded Amsterdam.
• Exhibitions Feast and Entertainment in Medieval Amsterdam and The Wallen by Dana Lixenberg – both free that weekend.
• Children’s craft and theater workshops – October 26, inspired by letters written during the anniversary year.
• Festive events in all OBA libraries – storytelling and creative sessions on October 27 from 15:00 to 17:00.
• 750 Amsterdammertjes art exhibition at De Kring – October 27, showcasing 750 unique watercolours based on Amsterdam’s street posts.

Beyond the official schedule, visitors will encounter music in trams, flags across canals, and spontaneous performances in public squares. Families can participate in master classes open to everyone, and art lovers can view exhibitions combining medieval and contemporary art. Every corner of the city's streets will become a stage celebrating openness and diversity.

This anniversary is not only about honoring history but also about experiencing the real spirit of Amsterdam today. The 750th anniversary gives visitors the opportunity to discover a city that continues to evolve while remaining faithful to its traditions of community and freedom. Visiting Amsterdam during this milestone allows you to witness a city that honors its history while actively shaping its future.