Amsterdam Weekend Guide (12-14 July)
July is in full swing, bringing us dance and comedy showcases, site-specific theatre in shipping containers, seasonal dining (let's talk about tomatoes) and musical summer evenings along the river.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Kwaku
Zuidoost staple Kwaku enters its seventh edition for a riotous celebration of culture, food and sport. What began as a small, local football tournament has evolved into one of the country’s largest festivals, though the football tournament still makes up a crucial part of the event’s distinct flavour. The tantalising aromas of Surinamese, Asian, South American, Caribbean and African food are another key focus, and the various food stalls remain one of the festival’s biggest draws.
Terrace Concerts
Head down to the waterfront of Amsterdam’s superb concert hall, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ for a summer of intimate and atmospheric terrace concerts with a spectacular view. Whether it’s experimental jazz or a piano recital, bask in the sound of music over dinner and drinks while the river laps gently next to you. A DJ sets the mood both before and after the concert. Tickets are available for €18 (excluding drinks/dinner).
Terrace Concerts | Every Friday and Saturday evening in July and August | Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ
THEATRE & STAGE
Boom Chicago Comedy Festival
Boom Chicago's unmissable annual comedy festival kicks off this weekend, bringing 35 shows and 160 artists from 12 countries to the city for 10 days. Check the jam-packed agenda for stand-up, improv and sketch, plus workshops and after-parties. This weekend, enjoy the Opening Night Music Improv Spectacular with Jelka van Houten (Thursday 11 July, 20:00), Mic Drop: A Hip Hop Comedy Show (Friday 12 July, 20:00) and an LGBTQ+ Comedy Extravaganza (Saturday 13 July, 22:00).
Boom Chicago Comedy Festival | Thursday 11 - Sunday 21 July | Boom Chicago
Over 't IJ Festival
For 10 days, NDSM Wharf transforms into a playground for creators of all ages for Over ‘t IJ Festival. Enjoy a summery blend of location-specific theatre, one-off performances and fabulous food at a range of shipping container stages and pop-up venues. New and established makers present works ranging from short presentations, performances and art installations to experiential theatre and audiovisual installations that crossover with the industrial architecture of the festival grounds.
Over the IJ Festival | Friday 12 - Wednesday 24 July | NDSM Wharf
Julidans
The capital’s leading contemporary dance festival, Julidans, is about breaking free from the norm. With over 40 performances across 14 separate Amsterdam locations – and International Theatre Amsterdam at the heart of it – Julidans’s characteristically idiosyncratic and boundless programme proves that dancing does, in fact, take guts.
Julidans | until 21 July | various locations
RESTAURANTS & BARS
Summer Pop-Up Resto: Tomatoes
Dine in one of Oost's most beloved bakery-cafes, Bakkerij Mas, for a one-day summer pop-up restaurant with a special seasonal focus. Enjoy a lovingly curated menu showcasing all the possibilities of summer tomatoes, paired with delicious wines courtesy of Cave de l'Est. A menu costs €37.50 per person.
Let's talk more about tomatoes: For a deep dive into homegrown seasonal delicacies, check out our new summer guide to eating local during the warmer months.
Summer Pop Up | Saturday 13 July, 17:00-19:00 or 19:30-closing | Bakkerij Mas, Oost
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