What to do in Amsterdam? We will show you what events are scheduled in Amsterdam this year.


16-11-2008 
Arrival of St Nicholas
The true story of Santa Claus began in the 3rd century when St Nicholas (the Bishop of Myra) dedicated his life to helping the poor and needy. Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told about St Nicholas' life and deeds, but he is best known today for giving presents to children. His birthday is commemorated on 6 December and three weeks before, he arrives in Amsterdam on a ship and rides a white horse to Dam Square. The arrival of St Nicholas is a festive occasion; musical bands and Black Peters accompany him on bicycles with acrobats, clowns and animals to entertain the children.

23-11-2008  -  27-11-2008
Cannabis cup
Amsterdam is equally famous for the relaxed attitude towards marijuana as it is for tulips, canals and Van Gogh; and the Cannabis Cup is a celebration of the narcotic that attracts many high-minded tourists who want to partake openly in its appreciation. High Times Magazine sponsors the event and gathers all the best spliff around to sample and ultimately be awarded with the prestigious Cannabis Cup. The event is steadily increasing in popularity and attracts thousands of curious spectators each year who can purchase seeds and winning weed throughout the festival. However it is not all about getting high, as promoters also try and persuade visitors to the global benefits of the hemp industry.

20-11-2008  -  30-11-2008
Filmfestival of Amsterdam
International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) is one of the biggest and one of the most important festivals of its kind in the world. It is not only the biggest market place for the authors and TV stations, but a unique opportunity for anyone to find out something new about the world we are living in today. After the ‘fever' that started with Michael Moore's unique political documentaries, the world seems to be more than ready for some more truthful stories. Fore more information check http://www.idfa.nl

25-12-2008  -  26-12-2008
Christmasday in Amsterdam
Christmas in Amsterdam is truly a season of celebration, whether or not you celebrate the day itself in its traditional, religious sense.

The Dutch holiday season started weeks ago, on 14 November, with the arrival of Sinterklaas and all his Zwarte Pieten (Black Peters). The story says that naughty children will be whisked off to Spain by these helpers of Sinterklaas, but there were no signs of missing children on the day of the parade. The Pieten received far more attention from the throngs of children than did the Sint himself, perched atop his white horse (perhaps this was due to the fact that they carried candy and cookies, which they gave out to the children by the handful!).