Culture Guide (April 2026)
Editor’s Pick: Amsterdam Spanish Film Festival
This event has brought Spanish and Latin American cinema to the eyes of Amsterdammers for over a decade. For the uncultured among us, films come complete with English subtitles, while the presence of Spanish gives a layer of immersion and texture often missing from Hollywood films. One Highlight of the program is the Saturday night double screening on 11 April at the Pathé Tuchinski (in the grandiose main hall no less), starting with sharp comedy “La Cena”, and continuing with “ La Mujer de la Fila” – a drama about a middle class mother whose son is unjustly imprisoned.
Amsterdam Spanish Film Festival | 10-19 April | Participating cinemas
Warmoes Biënnale
In collaboration with Warmoes Biënnale
Amsterdam’s answer to Venice’s Biennale, the Warmoes edition offers visitors a chance to rediscover the capital’s historic city centre, as it is transformed into a living, breathing art gallery. Spend some time around the city centre, and find art in the most unexpected of places, a laundromat, a Febo, a community centre and more. There is a route and audio tour available on the website.
Home - Warmoes Biënnale | 7 March-3 May |Amsterdam Centrum
Martin Parr - Very Modern and Rather Ugly at Foam
In a world oversaturated with pastel Instagram photos, the aesthetic (or lack thereof) of photographer Martin Parr's work stands out. This exhibition features four of his photography series, including Common Sense: an installation of 270 colour-saturated close-up photographs that zoom in on global consumer culture, from fast food and tourist attractions to personal decoration and social stereotypes, as well as a reading room containing many of his photo book publications.
Martin Parr - Very Modern and Rather Ugly| 3 April onwards | Foam
World Press Photo Exhibition 2026
An annual exhibition presenting the winning photos from this year's World Press Photo Contest, in the Nieuwe Kerk. Under the vaulted ceilings of this 15th-century building, wander through award winning photograph after award-winning photographs and take in scenes from all around the world. The winner of the photo of the year competition is announced just one day before the event opens, giving you the chance to immediately experience what was chosen.
World Press Photo Exhibition 2026 - De Nieuwe Kerk| 24 April-27 September | Nieuwe Kerk
Andy Warhol, The Textiles
Discover this American pop art pioneer’s background in fabric, never seen before in the Netherlands, featuring 60 text designs from the early sixties and fifties. Head down to Museum Cobra for a bright, colourful and decidedly non-venomous display.
Andy Warhol, The Textiles | 24 April-6 September | Museum Cobra
Kunst RAI
The Dutch word for art, that’s what you’ll find here at the biggest conference centre in Amsterdam. Over five days, around 100 carefully selected galleries from the Netherlands and abroad will present an inspiring range of contemporary painting, photography, vintage design, applied arts, post-war art and specialist art books. Curation in a fair format, head here and spend an afternoon strolling through stand after stand, considering whether or not you want to re-mortgage your house to afford that wall-sized painting.
Home - KunstRAI| 22-26 April | RAI
Nachwacht at Carré
Nite (the National Interdisciplinary Theatre Ensemble), returns to the Carre witha trademark performance that’s dark, humorous and musical all at once. The play follows an old man in a care institution and the staff taking care of him. “Nachtwacht” – night watch in English – is perfect for an evening viewing in the plush red seats of Carre.
Nachtwacht at the Royal Theatre Carré| 2-5 April | Royal Theatre Carré
Source at Nationale Opera & Ballet
Fusion takes centre stage here, as Indian-Dutch choreographer Kalpana Raghuraman presents a hybrid of Ballet, Indian and Western contemporary dance; performed by three dancers from Dutch National Ballet and three dancers from her own company, Kalpanarts. The new and the old, the familiar and the foreign, the soulful and the energetic – all intertwining before your eyes. Despite what a certain American actor might have to say, this event proves that the art form is alive and kicking.
Source| 16-18 April | Nationale Opera & Ballet
The Amsterdam Coffee Festival
Catered to casual coffee enjoyers and snobs alike, charge up on caffeine under one of the largest solar-panelled roofs in Amsterdam. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your home brewing skills at the “Brew Lab”, follow the "Coffee trail” and visit all the must-see booths or just to relax and sip on free samples, this event has you covered. If you’re feeling the jitters after all that coffee, head out on the Amsterdam coffee run and burn off some of that excess energy.
The Amsterdam Coffee Festival | 16-18 April | NDSM Loon
CinemAsia
This event showcases Asian and diaspora cinema in venues across the city. Opening with Becoming Human, the festival includes 47 films over five days with subject matter ranging from a feature film about a queer relationship to a hybrid documentary – part fact, part fiction – about a Thai Farmer.
CinemAsia Film Festival 2026 | 8-12 April |Participating cinemas
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