Culture Guide (December 2024)

Die Fledermaus

For: the decadent dreamer…

This lavish reimagining of Die Fledermaus, the beloved operetta by Johan Strauss II, takes audiences on an exuberant escape into Vienna’s golden age. Bolstered by never-ending flutes of champagne, its characters get up to more than their fair share of debauchery. Opulent yet darkly funny, its vision of a bourgeois world is brought to life under the direction of Barrie Kosky and the guiding baton of Lorenzo Viotti in this classic tale of revenge.

Die Fledermaus | 5 – 29 December | National Opera & Ballet

Women of Amsterdam: An Ode

For: the history buff…

A long-overdue tribute to the women who influenced the trajectory of this city, Women of Amsterdam: An Ode brings these stories out of the shadows of history and highlights their invaluable contributions to Amsterdam’s cultural, social, and political evolution. From trailblazing architects to unsung heroes, the exhibition celebrates the lasting impact of Amsterdam’s women, including the creation of iconic landmarks such as the Amsterdamse Bos, which was designed by a woman.

Women of Amsterdam: An Ode | 14 December – 31 August | Amsterdam Museum aan de Amstel

Cathedral

For: the dance devotee…

Scapino Ballet Rotterdam returns to the International Theatre of Amsterdam stage with its latest performance, Cathedral. Elegiac and relentlessly curious, this unique melding of theatre and dance explores mankind’s increasingly fragile connection to nature in a mechanised world. Led by Spanish choreographer and theatre maker Marcos Morau, alongside the deeply meditative soundscapes of Arvo Pärt, Cathedral seeks to find a way out of today’s digital labyrinth.

Cathedral | 18 – 20 December | International Theatre Amsterdam

Happy Birthday Amsterdam

For: the creative city slicker…

Celebrate 750 years of Amsterdam at the H’ART Museum with an exhibition that traces the city’s legacy as a centre of artistic and creative freedom. Over the centuries, Amsterdam has been a safe space for artists, preserving its free expression and tolerance values. This exhibit will feature works by 75 artists hailing from the city’s past and present.

Happy Birthday Amsterdam | 4 December – 16 March | H’ART Museum

As You Like It

For: the Bard aficionado…

Directed by William Sutton, who is no stranger to Shakespearean adaptations, As You Like It brings the Bard’s comedic flair to the stage of Mike’s Badhuistheater. Part courtly drama, part pastoral comedy, it explores civilisation’s corruption and the healing power of nature. As for any Shakespearean tale, expect plenty of raging jealousy, murderous plots and blossoming love in this fresh iteration of a classic.

As You Like It | 18 – 19 December | Mike’s Badhuistheater

Underground: American Avant-garde Film in the 1960s

For: the cinephile…

The spotlight is on avant-garde film this winter with the Eye Filmmuseum’s latest exhibition and film program. Featuring films of the 1960s avant-garde specifically, its program dives into the obscure, the unusual and the experimental in its disavowal of Hollywood and the dominant film industry. Experience the silver screen in a brand new light with this ode to cinematic reinvention.

Underground | 13 October – 5 January | Eye Filmmuseum

Jeroen Krabbé 80

For: the art lover…

Jeroen Krabbe has left an indelible mark on Dutch media and art landscape. A prominent artist, film director, documentary maker and illustrator, the multitalented Krabbé will be celebrated for his paintings at Cobra Museum with an exhibition honouring the artist’s 80th birthday. Eight paintings, one for each decade of Krabbé’s life, will be on display, tracing the trajectory of his artistic career.

Jeroen Krabbé 80 | 15 November – 9 February | Cobra Museum

Amsterdam’s Christmas Markets

For: the Christmas enthusiast…

Bringing a dose of festive cheer to Amsterdam’s streets and squares, the city’s holiday markets are an unmissable part of December’s cultural calendar. On Museumplein, the Christmas Village is set up against the stunning backdrop of the Rijksmuseum, with a picturesque ice skating rink and over 45 vendors selling seasonal snacks, crafts, and last-minute gifts. The RAI Convention Centre’s yearly transformation into a winter carnival comes complete with indoor and outdoor skating rinks, ample food options, and a Ferris wheel with city views. For a special eco-conscious rendition of the classic Christmas market, visit De Ceuvel’s pop-up market, which offers sustainable gifts, from ethically sourced coffee to handmade soaps.

Amsterdam’s Christmas Markets | December – January | citywide

After Us

For: the dancer at heart…

Transience and memory take centre stage in this poignant theatre performance. Exploring what it means to hold onto memories in a world of loss and environmental changes, Davy Pieters’ unmissable show will stay with you long after its closing sequence. After Us is the final part of Pieter's science fiction tetralogy about growing up in a futuristic world.

After Us | 10 – 12 December | Frascati

Grace Campbell

For: the fearless jokester…

British comedian Grace Campbell brings her witty and provocative humour to the stage with her latest show, Grace Campbell is On Heat. Known for her politically charged comedy, she challenges societal power dynamics while advocating for the rights of women and those in the LGBTQI+ community. Fearlessly vulnerable, Campbell navigates the intersection of politics, sexuality, and identity in this bitingly funny comedy show.

Grace Campbell | 1 December | Boom Chicago

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