Editing Amsterdam (section)

==Culture==
{{more citations needed|section|date=October 2019}}<!--performing arts and nightlife sections have no citations-->
[[File:North facade of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam (6).jpg|thumb|The {{Lang|nl|[[Rijksmuseum]]|italic=no}} houses [[Rembrandt]]'s ''[[The Night Watch]]''.]]
[[File:Van Gogh Museum, Kurokawa wing.jpg|thumb|The [[Van Gogh Museum]] houses the world's largest collection of [[Vincent van Gogh|Van Gogh]]'s paintings and letters.]]
[[File:De nieuwe vleugel van het Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.jpg|thumb|The [[Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam]] is an international museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art and design.]]
During the later part of the 16th century, Amsterdam's Rederijkerskamer ([[Chamber of rhetoric]]) organised contests between different Chambers in the reading of poetry and drama.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Stein |first1=Robert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1DfcrqKI6sC&q=chamber+of+rhetoric+amsterdam+competitions&pg=PA56 |title=Networks, Regions and Nations: Shaping Identities in the Low Countries, 1300–1650 |last2=Pollmann |first2=Judith |date=2010 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=9789004180246 |pages=56}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Ridder-Symoens |first1=Hilde De |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5as7lUR44UAC&q=chamber+of+rhetoric+amsterdam&pg=PA215 |title=Education and learning in the Netherlands, 1400–1600 [electronic resource]: essays in honour of Hilde de Ridder-Symoens |last2=Goudriaan |first2=Koen |last3=Moolenbroek |first3=J. J. Van |last4=Tervoort |first4=Ad |date=2004 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=9789004136441 |pages=215}}</ref> In 1637, [[Schouwburg]], the first theatre in Amsterdam was built, opening on 3 January 1638.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schouwburg {{!}} theatre, Amsterdam, Netherlands |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Schouwburg |access-date=24 February 2019 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica}}</ref> The first ballet performances in the Netherlands were given in Schouwburg in 1642 with the ''Ballet of the Five Senses''.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Craine |first1=Debra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=42g8Hp-xA48C&q=Schouwburg+ballet+performances+%221642%22&pg=PA321 |title=The Oxford Dictionary of Dance |last2=Mackrell |first2=Judith |date=19 August 2010 |publisher=OUP Oxford |isbn=9780199563449 |pages=321}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Bloemendal |first1=Jan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_mc0_nllkTEC&q=%22Schouwburg%22+%22ballet%22+%221642%22&pg=PA143 |title=Joost Van Den Vondel (1587–1679): Dutch Playwright in the Golden Age |last2=Korsten |first2=Frans-Willem |date=25 November 2011 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=9789004217539 |pages=143}}</ref> In the 18th century, French theatre became popular. While Amsterdam was under the influence of German music in the 19th century there were few national opera productions; the Hollandse Opera of Amsterdam was built in 1888 for the specific purpose of promoting Dutch opera.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Grout |first1=Donald Jay |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l_b2vIXHsUkC&q=Amsterdam+opera&pg=PA541 |title=A short history of opera |last2=Hermine Weigel Williams |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-231-11958-0 |page=541 |access-date=11 January 2010}}</ref> In the 19th century, popular culture was centred on the Nes area in Amsterdam (mainly [[vaudeville]] and [[music hall|music-hall]]).{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} An improved [[metronome]] was invented in 1812 by [[Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eveleth |first=Rose |author-link=Rose Eveleth |title=Was Beethoven's Metronome Wrong? |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/was-beethovens-metronome-wrong-9140958/ |access-date=24 February 2019 |website=Smithsonian}}</ref> The {{Lang|nl|[[Rijksmuseum]]|italic=no}} (1885) and [[Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam|Stedelijk Museum]] (1895) were built and opened.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of the Rijksmuseum – Organisation |url=https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/organisation/history-of-the-rijksmuseum |access-date=24 February 2019 |website=Rijksmuseum}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Queen Opens the Stedelijk |url=https://www.stedelijk.nl/en/news/queen-opens-the-stedelijk |access-date=24 February 2019 |website=Stedelijk museum}}</ref> In 1888, the [[Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra|Concertgebouworkest]] orchestra was established.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cressman |first=Darryl |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2fS9CwAAQBAJ&q=Royal+Concertgebouw+Orchestra+1888&pg=PA137 |title=Building musical culture in Nineteenth-century Amsterdam: the concertgebouw |date=15 March 2016 |publisher=Amsterdam University Press |isbn=9789048528462 |pages=137}}</ref> With the 20th century came cinema, radio and television.{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} Though most studios are located in [[Hilversum]] and [[Aalsmeer]], Amsterdam's influence on programming is very strong. Many people who work in the television industry live in Amsterdam. Also, the headquarters of the Dutch [[SBS 6|SBS Broadcasting Group]] is located in Amsterdam.<ref name="sbs6">{{Cite web |title=Contact SBS 6 |url=http://www.sbs6.nl/web/show/id=78637/langid=43 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524054324/http://www.sbs6.nl/web/show/id%3D78637/langid%3D43 |archive-date=24 May 2008 |access-date=19 May 2008 |language=nl}}</ref>

===Museums===
The most important museums of Amsterdam are located on the [[Museumplein]] (Museum Square), located at the southwestern side of the Rijksmuseum. It was created in the last quarter of the 19th century on the grounds of the former [[Internationale Koloniale en Uitvoerhandel Tentoonstelling|World's fair]]. The northeastern part of the square is bordered by the large Rijksmuseum. In front of the Rijksmuseum on the square itself is a long, rectangular pond. This is transformed into an ice rink in winter.<ref name="ijsbaan">{{Cite web |title=Feestelijke opening ijsbaan Museumplein |url=http://www.evenementnieuws.nl/nieuws/3900/Feestelijke+opening+ijsbaan+Museumplein.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226160156/http://evenementnieuws.nl/nieuws/3900/Feestelijke%2Bopening%2Bijsbaan%2BMuseumplein.html |archive-date=26 December 2008 |access-date=30 May 2008 |publisher=Evenementennieuws |language=nl}}</ref> The northwestern part of the square is bordered by the Van Gogh Museum, House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience and Coster Diamonds. The southwestern border of the Museum Square is the Van Baerlestraat, which is a major thoroughfare in this part of Amsterdam. The Concertgebouw is located across this street from the square. To the southeast of the square are several large houses, one of which contains the American consulate. A [[Multi-storey car park|parking garage]] can be found underneath the square, as well as a supermarket. The Museumplein is covered almost entirely with a lawn, except for the northeastern part of the square which is covered with gravel. The current appearance of the square was realised in 1999 when the square was remodelled. The square itself is the most prominent site in Amsterdam for festivals and outdoor concerts, especially in the summer. Plans were made in 2008 to remodel the square again because many inhabitants of Amsterdam are not happy with its current appearance.<ref name="museumpleinfacelift">{{Cite web |title=Museumplein krijgt facelift |url=http://www.topstad.amsterdam.nl/nieuws/museumplein_krijgt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807174714/http://www.topstad.amsterdam.nl/nieuws/museumplein_krijgt |archive-date=7 August 2009 |access-date=30 May 2008 |publisher=Gemeente Amsterdam |language=nl}}</ref>

[[File:Rembrandt.JPG|thumb|left|upright=0.8|[[Rembrandt]] monument on [[Rembrandtplein]]]]
The {{Lang|nl|[[Rijksmuseum]]|italic=no}} possesses the largest and most important collection of classical [[Dutch art]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home Page |url=http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/?lang=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081103074636/http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/?lang=en |archive-date=3 November 2008 |access-date=25 October 2008 |publisher=Rijksmuseum Amsterdam}}</ref>
It opened in 1885. Its collection consists of nearly one million objects.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rijksmuseum |url=http://www.aviewoncities.com/amsterdam/rijksmuseum.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917054130/http://www.aviewoncities.com/amsterdam/rijksmuseum.htm |archive-date=17 September 2008 |access-date=25 October 2008 |website=Amsterdam |publisher=A view on cities}}</ref> The artist most associated with Amsterdam is [[Rembrandt]], whose work, and the work of his pupils, is displayed in the Rijksmuseum. Rembrandt's masterpiece ''[[The Night Watch]]'' is one of the top pieces of art in the museum. It also houses paintings from artists like [[Bartholomeus van der Helst]], [[Johannes Vermeer]], [[Frans Hals]], [[Ferdinand Bol]], [[Aelbert Cuyp|Albert Cuyp]], [[Jacob van Ruisdael]] and [[Paulus Potter]]. Aside from paintings, the collection consists of a large variety of [[Decorative arts|decorative art]]. This ranges from [[Delftware]] to giant doll-houses from the 17th century. The architect of the [[Gothic Revival architecture|gothic revival]] building was P.J.H. Cuypers. The museum underwent a 10-year, 375&nbsp;million euro renovation starting in 2003. The full collection was reopened to the public on 13 April 2013 and the Rijksmuseum has remained the most visited museum in Amsterdam with 2.2&nbsp;million visitors in 2016 and 2.16&nbsp;million in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Total number of visitors of the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands in 2014 to 2017 (in millions) |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/646065/attendance-at-the-rijksmuseum-in-the-netherlands/ |access-date=7 August 2018 |publisher=Statista}}</ref>

Van Gogh lived in Amsterdam for a short while and there is a [[Van Gogh Museum|museum dedicated to his work]]. The museum is housed in one of the few modern buildings in this area of Amsterdam. The building was designed by [[Gerrit Rietveld]]. This building is where the permanent collection is displayed. A new building was added to the museum in 1999. This building, known as the performance wing, was designed by Japanese architect [[Kisho Kurokawa]]. Its purpose is to house temporary exhibitions of the museum.<ref name="vangogh3">{{Cite web |title=Architectuur Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam |url=http://architectuur.org/rietveld02.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516145157/http://www.architectuur.org/rietveld02.php |archive-date=16 May 2008 |access-date=1 June 2008 |publisher=Architectuur.org |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Van Gogh Museum – The Building |url=http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=213&lang=en&section=sectie_museum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513220627/http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=213&lang=en&section=sectie_museum |archive-date=13 May 2013 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=Van Gogh Museum}}</ref> Some of Van Gogh's most famous paintings, like ''[[The Potato Eaters]]'' and ''[[Sunflowers (series of paintings)|Sunflowers]]'', are in the collection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Van Gogh Museum – Permanent Collection |url=http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=425&lang=en&section=sectie_museum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819222554/http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=425&lang=en&section=sectie_museum |archive-date=19 August 2014 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=Van Gogh Museum}}</ref> The Van Gogh museum is the second most visited museum in Amsterdam, not far behind the Rijksmuseum in terms of the number of visits, being approximately 2.1&nbsp;million in 2016,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historic number of visitors since the opening of Van Gogh Museum. |url=https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/news-and-press/press-releases/record-number-of-visitors-in-2016 |access-date=5 April 2019 |publisher=Van Gogh Museum}}</ref> for example.

[[File:Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum 2024.jpg|thumb|right|[[Het Scheepvaartmuseum]]]]

Next to the Van Gogh Museum stands the [[Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam|Stedelijk Museum]]. This is Amsterdam's most important museum of modern art. The museum is as old as the square it borders and was opened in 1895. The permanent collection consists of works of art from artists like [[Piet Mondrian]], [[Karel Appel]], and [[Kazimir Malevich]]. After renovations lasting several years, the museum opened in September 2012 with a new composite extension that has been called 'The Bathtub' due to its resemblance to one.

Amsterdam contains many other museums throughout the city. They range from small museums such as the [[Verzetsmuseum]] (Resistance Museum), the [[Anne Frank House]], and the [[Rembrandt House Museum]], to the very large, like the [[Tropenmuseum]] (Museum of the Tropics), [[Amsterdam Museum]] (formerly known as Amsterdam Historical Museum), [[H'ART Museum]] and the [[Joods Historisch Museum]] (Jewish Historical Museum). The modern-styled [[NEMO (museum)|Nemo]] is dedicated to child-friendly science exhibitions.

===Music===
{{Further|List of songs about Amsterdam}}
[[File:Coldplay perform "Adventure of a Lifetime", Amsterdam Arena, June 2016 (5).jpg|thumb|[[Coldplay]] performing at the [[Johan Cruyff Arena|Amsterdam Arena]], 2016]]
Amsterdam's musical culture includes a large collection of songs that treat the city nostalgically and lovingly. The 1949 song "Aan de Amsterdamse grachten" ("On the canals of Amsterdam") was performed and recorded by many artists, including [[John Kraaijkamp Sr.]]; the best-known version is probably that by [[Wim Sonneveld]] (1962). In the 1950s [[Johnny Jordaan]] rose to fame with "[[Geef mij maar Amsterdam]]" ("I prefer Amsterdam"), which praises the city above all others (explicitly Paris); Jordaan sang especially about his own neighbourhood, the [[Jordaan]] ("Bij ons in de Jordaan"). Colleagues and contemporaries of Johnny include [[Tante Leen]] and [[Manke Nelis]]. Another notable Amsterdam song is "[[Amsterdam (Jacques Brel song)|Amsterdam]]" by [[Jacques Brel]] (1964).<ref name="lijflied finale">{{Cite news |date=5 October 2011 |title=Amsterdams lijflied: de finale |language=nl |work=[[Het Parool]] |url=http://www.parool.nl/parool/nl/7024/AMSTERDAMS-LIJFLIED/article/detail/2948441/2011/10/05/Amsterdams-lijflied-de-finale.dhtml |access-date=8 May 2013}}</ref> A 2011 poll by Amsterdam newspaper ''[[Het Parool]]'' that Trio Bier's "Oude Wolf" was voted "Amsterdams lijflied".<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 October 2011 |title=Amsterdams Lijflied: Stadsbewoners leven als oude wolven – AMSTERDAMS LIJFLIED – PAROOL |language=nl |work=[[Het Parool]] |url=http://www.parool.nl/parool/nl/7024/AMSTERDAMS-LIJFLIED/article/detail/2965125/2011/10/12/Amsterdams-Lijflied-Stadsbewoners-leven-als-oude-wolven.dhtml |access-date=8 May 2013}}</ref> Notable Amsterdam bands from the modern era include the [[Osdorp Posse]] and [[The Ex (band)|the Ex]].

[[AFAS Live]] (formerly known as the Heineken Music Hall) is a concert hall located near the [[Johan Cruyff Arena]] (known as the Amsterdam Arena until 2018). Its main purpose is to serve as a podium for pop concerts for big audiences. Many famous international artists have performed there. Two other notable venues, [[Paradiso (Amsterdam)|Paradiso]] and the {{Lang|nl|[[Melkweg]]|italic=no}} are located near the [[Leidseplein]]. Both focus on broad programming, ranging from [[indie rock]] to [[hip-hop]], [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], and other popular genres. Other subcultural music venues are [[OCCII]], [[OT301]], De Nieuwe Anita, Winston Kingdom, and Zaal 100. [[Jazz]] has a strong following in Amsterdam, with the [[Bimhuis]] being the premier venue. In 2012, [[Ziggo Dome]] was opened, also near Amsterdam Arena, a state-of-the-art indoor music arena.

[[AFAS Live]] is also host to many [[electronic dance music]] festivals, alongside many other venues. [[Armin van Buuren]] and [[Tiesto]], some of the world's leading [[Trance music|Trance]] DJs hail from the Netherlands and frequently perform in Amsterdam. Each year in October, the city hosts the [[Amsterdam Dance Event]] (ADE) which is one of the leading electronic music conferences and one of the biggest club festivals for electronic music in the world, attracting over 350,000 visitors each year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 June 2015 |title=ADE vorig jaar het best bezochte festival van Nederland |language=nl |work=[[Het Parool]] |url=http://www.parool.nl/kunst-en-media/ade-vorig-jaar-het-best-bezochte-festival-van-nederland~a4066485/ |access-date=3 May 2017}}</ref> Another popular dance festival is 5daysoff, which takes place in the venues [[Paradiso (Amsterdam)|Paradiso]] and {{Lang|nl|[[Melkweg]]|italic=no}}. In the summertime, there are several big outdoor dance parties in or nearby Amsterdam, such as Awakenings, [[Dance Valley]], [[Mysteryland|Mystery Land]], Loveland, A Day at the Park, Welcome to the Future, and Valtifest.

[[File:Concertgebouw, Ámsterdam, Países Bajos, 2016-05-30, DD 22-24 HDR.jpg|thumb|The {{Lang|nl|[[Concertgebouw, Amsterdam|Concertgebouw]]|italic=no}} or Royal Concert Hall houses performances of the [[Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra]] and other musical events.]]
Amsterdam has a world-class symphony orchestra, the [[Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra]]. Their home is the {{Lang|nl|[[Concertgebouw, Amsterdam|Concertgebouw]]|italic=no}}, which is across the Van Baerlestraat from the Museum Square. It is considered by critics to be a [[List of concert halls|concert hall]] with some of the best [[acoustics]] in the world. The building contains three halls, Grote Zaal, Kleine Zaal, and Spiegelzaal. Some nine hundred concerts and other events per year take place in the Concertgebouw, for a public of over 700,000, making it one of the most-visited concert halls in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facts & Figures |url=https://www.concertgebouw.nl/ontdek/facts-figures |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=Concertgebouw NV}}</ref> The opera house of Amsterdam is located adjacent to the city hall. Therefore, the two buildings combined are often called the [[Stopera]], (a word originally coined by protesters against its very construction: ''Stop the Opera[-house]''). This huge modern complex, opened in 1986, lies in the former Jewish neighbourhood at ''Waterlooplein'' next to the river [[Amstel]]. The ''Stopera'' is the home base of [[Dutch National Opera]], [[Dutch National Ballet]] and the [[Holland Symfonia]]. [[Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ]] is a concert hall, which is located in the [[IJ (Amsterdam)|IJ]] near the central station. Its concerts perform mostly [[20th-century classical music|modern classical music]]. Located adjacent to it, is the ''[[Bimhuis]]'', a concert hall for improvised and [[jazz]] music.

===Performing arts===
Amsterdam has three main theatre buildings.
[[File:Stadsschouwburg amsterdam.jpg|thumb|[[Stadsschouwburg]], Amsterdam's best-known theatre]]
[[File:Theater carre.jpg|thumb|[[Royal Theater Carré]], It was originally meant as a permanent circus building.]]

The [[Stadsschouwburg]] at the [[Leidseplein]] is the home base of [[Toneelgroep Amsterdam]]. The current building dates from 1894. Most plays are performed in the Grote Zaal (Great Hall). The normal program of events encompasses all sorts of theatrical forms. In 2009, the new hall of the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, Toneelgroep Amsterdam, and Melkweg opened, and the renovation of the front end of the theatre was ready.

The [[Stopera|Dutch National Opera and Ballet]] (formerly known as ''Het Muziektheater''), dating from 1986, is the principal opera house and home to [[Dutch National Opera]] and [[Dutch National Ballet]]. [[Carré Theatre|Royal Theatre Carré]] was built as a permanent circus theatre in 1887 and is currently mainly used for musicals, [[cabaret]] performances, and pop concerts.

The recently re-opened DeLaMar Theater houses more commercial plays and musicals. A new theatre has also moved into the Amsterdam scene in 2014, joining other established venues: Theater Amsterdam is located in the west part of Amsterdam, on the Danzigerkade. It is housed in a modern building with a panoramic view over the harbour. The theatre is the first-ever purpose-built venue to showcase a single play entitled ANNE, the play based on Anne Frank's life.

On the east side of town, there is a small theatre in a converted bathhouse, the [[Badhuistheater]]. The theatre often has English programming.

The Netherlands has a tradition of cabaret or ''kleinkunst'', which combines music, storytelling, commentary, theatre, and comedy. Cabaret dates back to the 1930s and artists like [[Wim Kan]], [[Wim Sonneveld]], and [[Toon Hermans]] were pioneers of this form of art in the Netherlands. In Amsterdam are the Kleinkunstacademie (English: Cabaret Academy) and Nederlied Kleinkunstkoor (English: Cabaret Choir). Contemporary popular artists are [[Youp van 't Hek]], [[Freek de Jonge]], [[Herman Finkers]], [[Hans Teeuwen]], [[Theo Maassen]], [[Herman van Veen]], [[Najib Amhali]], [[Raoul Heertje]], [[Jörgen Raymann]], [[Brigitte Kaandorp]] and [[Comedytrain]]. The English-spoken comedy scene was established with the founding of [[Boom Chicago]] in 1993. They have their own theatre at Leidseplein.

=== Nightlife ===
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| caption1          = DeWolff performing at [[Paradiso (Amsterdam)|Paradiso]]
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| caption2          = The [[Magere Brug]] or "Skinny Bridge" over the [[Amstel]] at night
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Amsterdam is famous for its vibrant and diverse nightlife. Amsterdam has many ''[[bar (establishment)|cafés]]'' (bars). They range from large and modern to small and cosy. The typical ''Bruine Kroeg'' (brown ''café'') breathes a more old-fashioned atmosphere with dimmed lights, candles, and somewhat older clientele. These brown cafés mostly offer a wide range of local and international artisanal beers. Most ''cafés'' have terraces in summertime. A common sight on the Leidseplein during summer is a square full of terraces packed with people drinking beer or wine. Many restaurants can be found in Amsterdam as well. Since Amsterdam is a multicultural city, a lot of different ethnic restaurants can be found. Restaurants range from being rather luxurious and expensive to being ordinary and affordable. Amsterdam also possesses many [[discothèque]]s. The two main nightlife areas for tourists are the [[Leidseplein]] and the [[Rembrandtplein]]. The [[Paradiso (Amsterdam)|Paradiso]], {{Lang|nl|[[Melkweg]]|italic=no}} and Sugar Factory are cultural centres, which turn into discothèques on some nights.

===Festivals===
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| caption1 = [[Koningsdag|Queen's Day]] in Amsterdam in 2013
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| caption2 = People dressed in orange on the [[canals of Amsterdam]] in 2010 during [[Koningsdag]] or King's Day
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In 2008, there were 140 festivals and events in Amsterdam.<ref name="festivals">{{Cite news |date=17 May 2008 |title=Amsterdam kans op 'evenementenstad' |language=nl |trans-title=Amsterdam has a chance to be an 'event city' |work=[[AT5|AT5 Nieuws]] |location=Amsterdam |url=http://www.at5.nl/artikelen/8239/amsterdam-kans-op-evenementenstad |access-date=10 May 2012 |quote=''Naast de prijs van nationale evenementenstad is Koninginnedag voorgedragen als het publieksevenement van het jaar.'' (In addition to the prize for national event city, [[Koningsdag|Queens Day]] is nominated as the public event of the year.)}}</ref> During the same year, Amsterdam was designated as the [[World Book Capital]] for one year by [[UNESCO]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Book Capital 2008: Amsterdam; (Netherlands) |url=https://archive.ifla.org/III/announce/2008WorldBookCapital-en.htm |access-date=19 April 2022 |website=archive.ifla.org}}</ref>

Famous festivals and events in Amsterdam include: ''[[Koningsdag]]'' (which was named ''Koninginnedag'' until the crowning of King Willem-Alexander in 2013) (King's Day – Queen's Day); the [[Holland Festival]] for the performing arts; the yearly [[Prinsengrachtconcert]] (classical concerto on the Prinsen canal) in August; the '[[Stille Omgang]]' (a silent Roman Catholic evening procession held every March); [[Amsterdam Gay Pride]]; The [[Cannabis Cup]]; and the [[Uitmarkt]]. On Koningsdag—which is held each year on 27 April—hundreds of thousands of people travel to Amsterdam to celebrate with the city's residents. The entire city becomes overcrowded with people buying products from the ''free market'', or visiting one of the many music concerts.

[[File:Amsterdam Gay Pride 2013 boat no37 Hot Spot Cafe pic7.JPG|thumb|right|One of the decorated boats participating in the 2013 Canal Parade of the [[Amsterdam Gay Pride]]]]
The yearly Holland Festival attracts international artists and visitors from all over Europe. [[Amsterdam Gay Pride]] is a yearly local LGBT parade of boats in Amsterdam's canals, held on the first Saturday in August.<ref name="gaypride">{{Cite web |title=Gay Pride in Amsterdam |url=http://amsterdam.nl/?ActItmIdt=10073 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601054009/http://www.amsterdam.nl/?ActItmIdt=10073 |archive-date=1 June 2008 |access-date=4 June 2008 |publisher=Municipality Amsterdam |language=nl}}</ref> The annual Uitmarkt is a three-day cultural event at the start of the cultural season in late August. It offers previews of many different artists, such as musicians and poets, who perform on [[Podium|podia]].<ref name="uitmarkt">{{Cite web |title=Uitmarkt in Amsterdam |url=http://www.iamsterdam.com/visiting_exploring/culture/annual_cultural_0/uitmarkt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131104219/http://www.iamsterdam.com/visiting_exploring/culture/annual_cultural_0/uitmarkt |archive-date=31 January 2008 |access-date=4 June 2008 |publisher=IAmsterdam}}</ref>