Amsterdam Weekend Guide (3-6 April)

Updated 1 April 2026 at 08:53Written by Garvan Ó Deaghaidh

Easter arrives this weekend, giving you a full four days to enjoy what Amsterdam has to offer. Take the relaxed and seasonal approach of heading to brunches and markets, or go a little wild at DGTL or Café Soleil with the knowledge that you can use Monday to recover from your escapades.

Editor’s Pick: DGTL

DJ's in the booth during DGTL Festival 2022.

Image from Kirsten van Santen

Digital turns physical as Amsterdam’s Docklands, formerly a trading hub, will instead deliver a weekend full of electronic music. Over 30 acts perform till late in the first outdoor festival of the season, from Friday to Sunday. Standouts include Friday’s Dutch dynamo Armand Van Helden and Sunday’s percussion-loving DJ I Hate Models.

DGTL Amsterdam • DGTL| 3-5 April | NDSM Docklands

RESTAURANTS & BARS

Bottomless Brunch at Hard Rock Cafe

In collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe

Image from Roos Trommelen

Brunch is never a bad shout and over a long weekend it’s an even better one. Head to the Hard Rock Café for some of their American-inspired specials; from chicken and waffles and smashed beef hash, to thick sliced French toast and a classic egg and bacon breakfast. Better yet, try their bottomless brunch (€39.95) where you can choose from bottomless mimosas, prosecco and spritzes, and even a Bloody Mary, alongside a main brunch dish. Luckily, coffee and matcha are on the menu, too, if you need a caffeine boost after all that.

Bottomless Brunch | Hard Rock Cafe

Easter brunch

Image from Krasnapolsky

You'll find special brunches and dinners to suit every taste and budget this weekend. Sunday and Monday, the Pannenkoekenboot (Pancake Boat) traditionally hosts brunch and Easter cruises, including all-you-can-eat pancakes plus other festive treats. Other impressive locations usually offer extravagant brunches or lunches, including the Amstel Intercontinental Hotel and Hotel Okura. Likewise, Café De Ceuvel offers an indulgent Easter Sunday, complete with orange juice, cakes, and a cup of coffee.

ART & EXHIBITIONS

Newly Opened: 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, includingCommon 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

Jazz Years – People, Migration, and Music

This exhibition at the City Archives focuses on the jazz scene that flourished in Amsterdam during the 1930s, featuring artists from the United States, Suriname, Eastern Europe and Amsterdam itself. Spend an afternoon moving through photographs, paintings, photography, personal objects, film footage, and, of course, music from the era – leaving your evening free to experience jazz out in the city.

Jazz Years – People, Migration, and Music| 3 April onwards | The City Archives

THEATRE & STAGE

Wildcard Pick: Queering Puppets Festival Amsterdam

Image from Paulina Matusik & Eddy Wenting

In the fifth edition of this event, puppets, theatre, exhibitions, drag, dance, and more come to life in Oost. Puppetry won’t be familiar to the weekend agenda of many (John Malkovich aside), but that’s all the more reason to head here and experience something new. Fill out the seats of the Plein Theatre and check out events such as the minimalist spectacle Body Concert, where Japanese buto dance, an electroacoustic soundtrack and foam puppets combine to create an unwavering pastiche of modern life.

Queering Puppets Festival Amsterdam| 1-6 April | Plein Theatre

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Amsterdam Cocktail Week

Image from Silja Summanen

Amsterdam’s mixed-drink celebration hosts its ninth anniversary across the city. Head to one of the various workshops and brush up on your bartending skills before lounging by the bar and sipping on a martini (tuxedo not included in ticket price), or if you’re struggling to decide on just one location, head out on one of the Cocktail walks: pairing wistful canal-side wanderings with three specially selected bars.

Home - Amsterdam Cocktail Week | until5 April | All over the city

SHOPPING & MARKETS

Local Pick: Amsterdam's Outdoor Markets

Dit beeld wordt gebruikt voor de bewonerscampagne (2021) en mag alleen voor deze campagne gebruikt worden. Mocht je dit beeld voor andere doeleinden nodig hebben neem dan contact op met de locatie.

Image from Haarlemmerplein Markt

Pick up supplies for your Easter brunch, dinner or even a picnic (weather dependent) at one of the city’s outdoor markets. Keep your eyes open for traditional Easter treats like paasstol (bread with dried fruit and almond paste), coloured eggs and spring lamb. The Albert Cuypmarkt, Dappermarkt and Ten Katemarkt are open on Friday and Saturday, while the organic markets at the Noordermarkt and Nieuwmarkt are open on Saturday.

CLUBBING & NIGHTLIFE

Private Hearts Club at Café Soleil

A day party housed in a Mediterranean restaurant on the banks of the IJ. Feel free to head over here after brunch elsewhere and spend the rest of your Sunday dancing. This not-so-private collective, run by house aficionado Elias Mazan, will get your heart pumping for 10 hours straight.

Private Hearts Club | 13:00-23:00 5 April | Café Soleil

Stay up to date on events and happenings in Amsterdam, get inspiration for things to do and discover hidden gems on our dedicated @Iamsterdam Instagram and @Iamsterdam_official TikTok channel.