10 Things to do in Amsterdam this July

Summer 2017 so far has been incredible, don’t you agree? Luckily, the fun doesn’t end here! We’ve wrapped up the 10 best things to see and do in Amsterdam this July. So all you have to do is get out and enjoy it!

1. Up on the Roof at NEMO

If you’re looking for a way to take in the city from a different view-point on a hot summer’s day, then ‘Up on the Roof’ at NEMO is a great bet. When NEMO architect Renzo Piano designed the roof he wanted to create a really ‘piazza’ (city square) on the roof. When you’ve climbed to the top you’ll be pleased to find a large terrace, water fountains, a restaurant and gorgeous views across Amsterdam. Best of all? Entry is completely free!

Image courtesy of nemosciencemuseum.nl

2. Sloterstrand City Beach

Sloterstrand beach has recently opened in the cool ‘Nieuw West’ part of the city. It’s still a little known spot, but you can be sure it’ll be getting more and more popular by the day. With free deck chairs to use, picnic spots, food trucks and beautiful footpaths, it’s the perfect spot to wash away the stresses of the city. So called ‘quagga mussels’ filter the lake water and keep it clean – so remember your cossie and take a dip!

Image courtesy of pbs.twimg.com

3. Pitch Festival

Pitch Festival brings its renowned electro-heavy line up to a new location in Amsterdam’s NDSM Wharf – the former industrial area of the city that’s now a hotbed of artists, musicians, pop-up events and festivals. The site is just a stone’s throw from ClinkNOORD, so if you’re thinking of going – get booking now as these beds won’t hang around for long!

Image courtesy of Pitch Festival

1st July 2017
Tickets 44.50€

4. Robeco Summer Nights

Robeco Summer Nights kicks off this month with a series of concerts throughout the city. Listen to top musicians from the worlds of classical music, jazz, flamenco and more in some of Amsterdam’s finest venues. There’ll be a mixture of your favourite classical pieces and some surprises thrown in for good measure!

Image courtesy of concertgebouw.nl

1 July until 31 August 2017
Tickets various prices

5. Kwaku Festival

Kwaku is a multicultural event at Nelson Mandelapark, attracting around 300,000 visitors across four weekends in July. The festival celebrates the abolition of slavery in Suriname and the Dutch Antilles on Julst 1st 1862. With DJs, dance workshops and live music set across various stages there’s a great atmosphere and plenty to do. Make sure you grab something from one of the many street food vendors. From spicy Korean tacos to juicy ribs, you’ll find lots to make your taste buds tingle!

Image courtesy of iamexpat.nl

15th – 30th July
Free Entry

6. Over het IJ Festival

This waterside performing arts festival has its base at NDSM Wharf, just a few minutes away from ClinkNOORD on Amsterdam’s Northern shore. Many of the shows are performed inside shipping containers, which certainly make for unique venues! Discover improv, scripted theatre, dance and more at a festival that lets your imagination run wild. Location-specific theatre is a real specialty for this festival – so if you’d love to see some one-off theatre in unexpected places, this is the festival for you!

Image courtesy of sustainablediary.blogspot.com

Check the Over het IJ website for the full programme and tickets
14th – 23rd July

7. After ‘T IJ: Spinshots at Noorderlicht Cafe

After you’ve enjoyed some theatre at Over the IJ festival, why not pop to Noorderlicht cafe, just around the corner, for a drink and a boogie? From 9pm you can catch The Spin Shots a 7-piece who draw influences from 30s big band sounds 30s and 50s jazz and dance music and pretty much everything from the 60’s. Their sound is a bit like the soundtrack to the golden era of your life you never knew you were missing!

Image courtesy of ndsm.nl

Free Entry

8. Zomerfeest Blijburg

Blijburg is a beach-side cultural spot just outside the city where Amsterdammers get together to play, swim eat drink and create. ‘Zomerfeest’ is their annual summer festival. Dine at a gypsy feast, dance around the fire to next level bands and DJs, jump in a hot tub and while away a perfect summer’s night. Remember to wear your best gypsy attire!

Image courtesy of wanderlust-blog.nl

July 22nd
Tickets

9. PLLEK Going Places: Reggae Vibrations

PLLEK: Going Places is a series of events throughout the summer, celebrating distant countries, summer spots and tropical parts of the world – far from Amsterdam Noord! For the next edition, travel to the Caribbean when PLLEK will become a true reggae paradise. Come and feel the good vibes at PLLEK’s version of Jamaican ‘yard party’ where you chill, chat and dance in the yard with friends and family!

Image courtesy of overdose.am

10. Milkshake Festival

Milkshake Festival is all about love, respect, freedom and tolerance. And most of all, it’s about fun! The festival is a collaboration between to of Amsterdam’s major clubs, AIR and Paradiso. Each stage has its own defining characteristic so you can expect a great mixture of acts – from top name DJs, to performance art and drag acts, at Milkshake you can be whoever you want to be!