Amsterdam is 750 years old—here’s how the city is celebrating

This year, Amsterdam marks its extraordinary 750-year journey from medieval fishing village to global cultural capital with a festival programme as dynamic and diverse as the city itself. Everyday spaces will be transformed in unexpected ways — on the longest day of the year, locals will reclaim the traffic-heavy A10 ring road for a nine-mile street party featuring culture, sport and even 20 weddings. Meanwhile, in late August, the waters of the IJ will come alive with a grand parade of tall ships, along with 800 other vessels. The celebrations will also echo through lesser-visited neighbourhoods, each showcasing its own spirit with 24-hour festivals. Locals are throwing open their city to celebrate the rich tapestry of stories and communities that make modern Amsterdam — and everyone’s invited.

The Birth of the City

7 March – 1 July
Housed inside the magnificent De Bazel building, the Stadsarchief is a landmark exhibition bridging the gap between medieval and modern Amsterdam. It explores the city’s humble beginnings via curated artefacts, interactive displays and archaeological finds, including a striking facial reconstruction of The First Amsterdammer (circa 1200) and the pivotal 1275 toll privilege, which granted tax exemptions that fuelled the city’s growth. Rare manuscripts and maps also chart the evolution of Amsterdam’s layout and trade routes, while immersive digital installations conjure the landscapes of the era. Together, they paint a portrait of how politics and perseverance transformed a medieval fishing village into a global capital.

24 Hours Amsterdam

Multiple dates
Discover Amsterdam’s diverse, lesser-known neighbourhoods through the remaining 24-hour celebrations: Noord (13 Sep) and Zuid (11 Oct). Each district will transform into a round-the-clock cultural playground offering visitors unprecedented access to local treasures, including late-night sessions at museums, behind-the-scenes tours and workshops with local artisans. There’s also brewery tastings and chef-led food experiences that spotlight each area’s favourite flavours. Then, when night falls, a whole host of live concerts and DJ sets take place in unexpected venues. From Noord’s industrial NDSM Wharf to Zuid’s cultural gems and Weesp’s historic charm, these free festivals reveal the city’s vibrant community spirit.

The Grand Ring road celebration

21 June
For one remarkable day, Amsterdam’s A10 ring road — which usually divides the city into ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ — will become a unifying celebration space. What’s usually a busy highway will become a buzzing, nine-mile-long festival, where thousands of locals and visitors can come together to celebrate the city’s 750th birthday. There will be zones dedicated to sports and games, art and culture stages, musical performances and even a knowledge and science area. In a particularly special touch, 20 couples will celebrate their love by getting married on the highway. Visitors can also participate in the festival’s fun run, enjoy theatrical performances, savour local food and witness colourful parades.

Women of Amsterdam — an ode

Now until 31 August
Honour the women who shaped Amsterdam’s social, cultural and economic life at this landmark exhibition at the Amsterdam Museum. Here, immersive displays, personal artefacts and carefully curated collections all tell the tales of more than 100 trailblazing figures, including various artists, entrepreneurs, activists and community leaders. Newly commissioned pieces by contemporary artists Mina Abouzahra, Mounira Al Solh and Tyna Adebowale also offer fresh, modern takes on these powerful narratives. Part of Amsterdam’s 750th-anniversary celebrations, the show casts a more inclusive, compelling light on the voices that built the city we know today.

SAIL Amsterdam 2025

20–24 August
The city’s seafaring history comes to life during this spectacular, five-day festival where more than 800 vessels, from majestic tall ships to modern naval crafts, sail through the North Sea Canal in the SAIL-In Parade. For the best panoramic views, visitors should head to A’DAM Tower or NDSM Wharf, while Java-eiland and Piet Heinkade offer thrilling close-ups of the action. Beyond the sailing spectacle, visitors can board historic ships, embark on sailing excursions, enjoy cultural performances and take part in interactive workshops. This edition is set to be particularly special, marking SAIL’s 50th and the event’s 10th edition. With the last SAIL Amsterdam cancelled in 2020 due to Covid, 2025 promises to be an unforgettable comeback.

Badass Tours

Throughout 2025
Thoroughly researched via national archives and led by engaging storytellers, Badass Tours ventures beyond traditional tourist narratives. Its small-group guided tours spotlight the ‘people who broke the rules and built the future of Amsterdam’. For example, the Hidden Gems tour weaves together BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Jewish and women’s history to reveal Amsterdam’s lesser-known pioneers. Travellers learn about figures like Bet van Beeren, who opened the city’s first gay-friendly bar in 1927 — Bet’s Bar, still open today — and turned it into a safe haven during Nazi occupation. Other stops highlight early resistance efforts against slavery and other stories of those who helped shape the city’s diverse identity.

Amsterdam 750

27 October
While the full line-up’s still under wraps, the city promises a showstopping finale to culminate its year-long schedule of events, with festivities popping up all across town. The medieval heart of the Dam makes a likely spot for official ceremonies, while Museumplein’s open expanse could set the stage for major performances. Come nightfall, visitors can expect fireworks over the IJ between Central Station and A’DAM Tower — a tried-and-true crowd-pleaser. The Amstel River and historic Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) have also provided stunning backdrops for floating stages and water shows in the past. This one-of-a-kind event will unite locals and visitors in celebrating Amsterdam’s extraordinary story.