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Amsterdam Events

Imagine Film Festival

Thrillers, science fiction, horror and cult movies are the mainstay of the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival, which has been terrifying audiences since 1984. The programme includes features, retrospectives, talks and workshops. Winners of the Black Tulip, the festival's jury award, and the Silver Scream Award, for the film most popular with the audience, are announced on the final evening.

Date: 07 April 2021 - 17 April 2021
Venue: Various cinemas in Amsterdam.
Website: http://www.imaginefilmfestival.nl
Cost:

Various.

Amsterdam Roots Festival

This festival seeks out and presents new forms from the world music scene. Concerts take place at several venues leading up to the finale on Sunday of the festival week, an outdoor event held at Oosterpark. Five different stages are set up in the park to deliver a vibrant and varied musical mix, one especially for children.

Date: 30 June 2021 - 04 July 2021
Venue: Various venues in Amsterdam.
Website: http://amsterdamroots.nl
Cost:

Various.

Amsterdam Pride

One of the largest LGBTQ+ events in Europe is held in mid-summer. The highlight is a Canal Parade on Saturday afternoon, when dozens of fancifully decorated barges packed with dazzlingly garbed revellers navigate their way through the Prinsengracht and Amstel River. Street parties catering to different sub-groups go on all over town, while club nights, sport and films also feature in the festival.

Date: 31 July 2021 - 08 August 2021
Venue: Various streets and venues in Amsterdam.
Website: https://pride.amsterdam/
Cost:

Free to spectate.

King’s Day

Up to a million people take to the streets of Amsterdam for the annual Koningsdag (King’s Day) celebrations, when the Dutch celebrate the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander. Carnival floats, parades, street theatre, fireworks and decorated canal boats are among the treats on offer and everyone dons wacky orange costumes and wigs in token of the royal house. The night before the big day is marked by ecstatic parties with top DJs working the crowds.

Date: 27 August 2021 - 27 August 2021
Venue: The streets of central Amsterdam.
Website: http://www.amsterdamkoningsdag.nl
Cost:

Free.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Featured Hotels

The Hoxton

The Hoxton flung its decorative doors open in 2015, shaking up the city’s mid-range hotel scene in the process. Occupying a former mayoral residence on Herengracht, the hip and handsome Hoxton is an establishment of effortless cool. Rooms retain a 17th century charm (embroidered rugs, paneled walls, wooden floors, etc.), but with mod cons (digital radios, power showers and the like). There’s a fine bar and restaurant downstairs and checkout is a hangover-friendly 1200.

Hotel Prinsenhof

About the finest budget option available, the Prinsenhof is a homey establishment in an 18th-century canal house. Overlooking a picture-postcard section of the Prinsengracht, it stands in the pleasant southern canal belt, a quick bike ride from the nightlife centre of Rembrandtplein. Simply furnished with painted ceiling beams, the 11 guest rooms are quite cosy, though only nine are equipped with bathrooms. At these prices, they're booked far in advance.

The Dylan

Located in the western canal belt this small boutique hotel is the epitome of style and sophistication. It's housed in a former 17th-century theatre which in its heyday staged concerts conducted by Antonio Vivaldi. Today the minimalist east-meets-west designer décor of the 40 individually designed guest rooms combined with an intimate courtyard garden spectacular canal views efficient staff and an excellent restaurant ensures a luxurious stay.

Hotel de l'Europe

Standing majestically on the banks of the River Amstel, this grand old dame is still the address in town for lavish Old World luxury. From the 19th-century paintings adorning the public areas to the plush appointed guest rooms, this modern hotel maintains an old-fashioned charm. Hotel de l'Europe features the restaurant Bord'Eau which was awarded two Michelin stars, two bars, a brasserie, a café, meeting rooms and a spa.

Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam

As a former shipping house, this five-star hotel still showcases its maritime heritage with its nautical themed stained-glass windows, original ship lanterns, and statues depicting Poseidon and Fortuna overlooking the hotel entrance. With 165 plush rooms, a wellness centre boasting two saunas, a steam room, heated swimming pool and fitness room, plus a stunningly decorated bar overlooking the charming Amsterdam canals, the Amrâth offers its guests a luxurious stay in historical surroundings.

ClinkNOORD

When Amsterdam’s shipbuilding industry went to the wall, the Noord district became a ghost of past glories. Happily, the area is in the process of regeneration, which ClinkNOORD is helping pioneer. The hostel opened to much fanfare in 2015, taking over a former Royal Dutch Shell testing lab. Rooms are a bit bland, but the hostel is good value, affable and only a short (and free) ferry ride from Central Station.

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