The Best Music Festivals in Amsterdam This Summer

📅 May 26-27

While Amsterdam’s music scene tends to sway towards more electronically orientated genres, there are breaks in this sea of house, techno and hip-hop. Case in point: London Calling, an annual two-day, alternative rock festival at Paradiso, that gathers together leading names from punk, garage and indie. This year’s line-up includes several heavy-hitters, including American post-punk outfit Priests and psychedelic throwbacks Black Honey.

📍 Paradiso, Weteringschans 6-8, Amsterdam

📅 May 27

For many Amsterdammers, Het Lente Kabinet signals the start of the Dutch festival season. This annual festival takes place inside a massive forest on the northern borders of Amsterdam, called Het Twiske, and welcomes legions of EDM (electro dance music) fans every year. Its line-up always features leading artists from the international electronic scene, and this year the Black Madonna, Antal and Mr. Scruff are set to play at Het Lente Kabinet.

📍 Het Twiske, Amsterdam

📅 July 1

Despite its overwhelming popularity Pitch has always managed to maintain an unbelievably welcoming ambience and level-headed approach to partying. This year, the festival has moved from its original location in Westerpark to NDSM-werf in Amsterdam-Noord: a locale that is becoming increasing associated with first-rate summer events. As always, Pitch has booked a downright awesome line-up, with Dutch electronic innovator Fatima Yamaha heading the bill.

📍NDSM-Werf, Amsterdam

📅 July 29-30

Besides Pride, Milkshake is probably the biggest event in Amsterdam dedicate to celebrating sexuality in all its forms and operates under a deliberately inclusive policy. The festival takes place inside Westergasfabriek cultural centre every year and always books an impressive line-up of artists from a wide range of genres, with a special emphasis on EDM and hip-hop. Also, there’s a roller-disco.

📍 Westergasfabriek, Pazzanistraat 33, Amsterdam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECyZALRgIxo

📅 August 2-6

Considering its invariably outstanding line-up, Dekmental is rightfully considered to be among the most important EDM events in the world. The festival mainly takes place inside Amsterdamse Bos and invariably books numerous cutting-edge musicians. Arca, Steve Riech and GAS are among the leading names at this year’s Dekmental, and will perform alongside many other innovative, international artists.

📍 Amsterdamse Bos, Amstelveen

📅 August 12

Appel Sap originally began as open block jam back in 2000, and since grown into one of the biggest hip-hop and RnB events in the Netherlands. Today, Appel Sap is based in Flevopark and endeavors to book the most influential artists currently working within these preferred genres. Although itss line-up is still in the works, Appel Sap has already announced that Lil’ Wayne and Dave will headline the festival.

📍 Flevopark, Flevoweg, Amsterdam

📅 August 11-20

During a week in mid-August, Amsterdam’s iconic canal belt hosts a massive classical music festival. For this event, many of the city’s waterways are fitted out with floating barge and other aquatic apparatus, in order to transform Amsterdam into an elaborate, multi-concert venue. Besides these magnificent outdoor performances, the festival also organises numerous indoor concerts.

📍 Grachtengordel, Ammsterdam

📅 August 19

For their third edition at NDSM-Werf, Encore Festival has booked Trap icons Migos and Canadian, underground rapper Tony Lanez to headline. This already impressive roster will also include other big names such as Stefflon Don, Russ, and Jonna Fraser, making Encore a necessity for hip-hop or RnB fans in Amsterdam.

📍NDSM-Werf, Amsterdam