Amsterdam Festivals Run Gamut
From Music to Marijuana, Amsterdam Celebrates It All
Amsterdam's annual festivals include everything from classical music to marijuana, gay pride to a marathon. Here are five of the top events and celebrations.
Amsterdam is one of those fascinatingly wonderful, multi-faceted European cities. Generally speaking, the culture of city revolves around a couple of plants: tulips and marijuana, along with music, the canals, bicycles and more. These are celebrated throughout the year in festivals including:
1. Amsterdam Pride: Amsterdam’s gay pride festival is held in early August (Aug. 3-5, 2007), and has become one of the most popular in Europe. The festival includes street parties, an open-air film festival, theatrical, cultural and sporting events. The highlight of Amsterdam Pride is the Canal Parade at 2 p.m. on Saturday. About 75 highly decorated “floats” float down the Prisengracht, Stopera and Amstel canals. For more information, visit the Amsterdam Gay Pride Web site.
2. Music in the Canals of Holland or the Grachtenfestival: This classical music festival runs from August 11-19, 2007 at various venues throughout Amsterdam. The festival, which includes dozens of concerts, concludes with the Prinsengracht concert, which is held on a floating stage in front of the Hotel Pulitzer. Although many of the concerts are free, some do require tickets. For information about the specific concerts and how to get tickets, visit the Grachtenfestival Web site.
3. Amsterdam Marathon: One of the top 12 marathons in the world, the Amsterdam Marathon features flat terrain, awe-inspiring architecture and very little traffic. Each year, the marathon draws thousands of participants, their friends and families, from all over the world. This year, the race will be held on Oct. 21 and race headquarters are at the Olympic Stadium. For more information, visit the official Amsterdam Marathon Web site.
4. Cannabis Cup. Sponsored by High Times Magazine, the Cannabis Cup is a festival centered on the plant that draws many visitors to The Netherlands. Marijuana from all over is brought in to be sampled and, in the end, one is awarded the prestigious Cannabis Cup. The event also promotes the hemp industry and its global benefits. Now in its 20th year, the festival draws thousands of spectators who are able to buy and smoke weed, due to the country’s relaxed attitude toward pot. This year, the Cannabis Cup will take place from Nov. 18-22. For more information, visit High Times Magazine.
5. Holland Flowers Festival: Although tulips are an iconic symbol of The Netherlands, the Holland Flowers Festival also features daffodils, irises and other blooms and plants in an annual splash of fragrance and colors. In addition to the flowers, an accompanying fair features house and garden products. The flower festival takes place annually in February. In 2008, it will be held at The Greenery, Centrale Markt 5, Zwaagdijk-Oost. For more information, visit the Holland Flowers Festival Web site.
Amsterdam has a number of other festivals as well, which will be featured here at a later date.
