Spending your summer in the Netherlands - Our tips for your holiday at home

Finally, we have exchanged the typical Dutch rain and wind for sun and rising temperatures. Surely, you’ve enjoyed some warm late nights on your favourite terrace, or maybe even on your own balcony. We’ll tell you, there’s much more that the summer season brings in your city. From local festivals to amazing terraces, here’s some tips for each place!

Amsterdam

Floriade Expo – €29,00 per ticket
14 April – 9 October 2022 

Enjoy one of the biggest horticulture exhibitions at the Floriade Expo. This expo only takes place once every 10 years and is now in Almere! Here you can enjoy the scents and colours of flowers, plants, vegetables and fruits, all whilst showing the newest innovations for green and sustainable cities.

Zomer in de Tuin at the Tolhuistuin – Free entry
All summer

Zomer in de Tuin at the Tolhuistuin is a summer programme that’s open every day. During weekdays, they open the garden for those who want to take their office job outside, so if you feel like a change of scenery this is the place to be! Furthermore, there is a small market on Saturday, live music on Sunday, dance sessions and even jam sessions where people can bring their own instruments.

Pure Market – Free entry
All summer at varying locations in Amsterdam on Sundays

Pure Market is a travelling Sunday market which you can find on three different locations in Amsterdam. At the market you’ll find artisanal products made by local entrepreneurs, but also delicious food that’s made on the spot. Have a picnic in the grass and enjoy the sun during your next visit!

Zaanse Schans – Free entry
All year

Maybe a bit of a cliché, but this is a must-visit for anyone in the Netherlands. The Zaanse Schans is a residential area where the Dutch 18th and 19th centuries are brought to life. Surrounded by long stretching pastures and greenery, this is a wonderful place to spend your day. Have a walk along the dykes, have a look inside of a classic Dutch windmill, and visit the little shops and cafes in the area.

De Parade – Entry between €2,50 and €8,50
12 August – 28 August 2022 

De Parade is a travelling theatre, dance, and music festival for all ages. It boasts over 80 acts, in one evening you can visit two, three, or maybe even four acts! During the day there is a children’s programme, so this is truly an event for everyone. There is also plenty of food and drink stands on the festival terrain for your enjoyment!

 

Rotterdam

DakAkker/Ted’s Place – Free entry
All year

The DakAkker is a rooftop farm right in the centre of Rotterdam. Here they farm vegetables, fruit and edible flowers, and they also have an extensive number of beehives for a healthy dose of honey. Good to know, you can enjoy the DakAkker by visiting Ted’s Place for a tasty all-day brunch.

Dâk – Free entry
15 July – 13 August 2022 

Dâk is a pop-up city park where you can taste the influence of metropolitan cities such as New York, Berlin and Barcelona, but then in the typical Rotterdam setting. Enjoy live music, frozen margaritas, table tennis, and grill your own food on the barbecues.

Museum Rotterdam ’40-’45 NOW – €9,- per ticket
All year

Curious about the rich history of Rotterdam? Museum Rotterdam ’40-’45 NOW tells the story of the city during and after the bombardments of WWII and the impact that it has had on the city ever since. It’s what makes Rotterdam, Rotterdam!

Pleinbioscoop – €11,- per ticket
10 August – 28 August 2022

Watching a movie in the fresh air, under the stars, right around the corner from your own home in Rotterdam sounds like a dream, right? Pleinbioscoop makes it possible! This open-air cinema shows various movies in different genres and languages during the month of August. You get a comfy seat and headphones to watch your movie with all whilst enjoying the sunset outside.

 

Eindhoven

PLEQ – Free entry
All summer

PLEQ is the place to be during the warm summer days. This is a unique terrace by the water in Eindhoven that serves ice cold drinks, bites, and summer beats in the sun! Make sure to reserve a spot via their website.

preHistorisch Dorp – €11,50 per ticket
All year

Looking for something fun to do with the kids? preHistorisch Dorp is a replica of a prehistoric and medieval village, filled with characters and activities replicating the day-to-day life during that time!

Philips Fruittuin – Free entry
All year

The Philips Orchard boasts 12 hectares of apple, pear, and prune trees. There’s always something to do here; you can request a picnic in the orchard, enjoy delicious pancakes at the pancake house, and they even have events where you get to pick your own fruits to take home for a small fee!

Natlab Open Air – Free entry
15 July – 4 September 2022

Natlab Open Air is all about enjoying the best arthouse films, live music, drinks, bites, and a great park atmosphere. Just make sure that you bring your own chair or other comfy item to sit on when you join the party!

 

The Hague

The Hague Flowerparade – Free entry
6 July – 21 August 2022

The Museumkwartier of the Hague is in bloom this summer! The Flowerparade shows beautiful floral artworks throughout July and August and are especially spectacular in the evening as they are illuminated in a fairy-tale way. Be sure to take a stroll along the Hofvijver when you get the chance!

The Hague antique and book market – Free entry
1 May – 22 September 2022

If you’re looking for a first edition of a favourite book, old prints, paintings or things from your grandmother’s time, this is the place to be! The antique and book market is a mecca for those who love strolling past countless stalls with nostalgic antiques and curiosities.

Wijn Festijn – From €8,50 per ticket
12 August – 14 August 2022

If you love wine, food, and music, the Wijn Festijn is going to make you very happy! Get the chance to taste over 100 different wines, artisanal cheeseboards, fresh charcuterie and delicious vegetarian bites.

Tong Tong Fair – From €7,50 per ticket
1 September – 11 September 2022

The Tong Tong Fair is the biggest Eurasian festival in the world and converts the Dutch East Indies legacy into a crossover of Eastern and Western performing arts with an international programme. It’s a beautiful combination of culture, art, and delicious food!

Food Truck Festival TREK – Free entry
9 September – 11 September 2022

Festival TREK is the biggest travelling food festival of the Netherlands! They turn the city park into a massive open-air restaurant where you can enjoy entertainment from small artists, all combined with a diverse offering of dishes that are made with love in the mobile kitchens.