Below you can find upcoming theater, film, comedy, exhibition and concert events in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven and elsewhere in the Netherlands…
NOTE: Events are listed by category: Comedy, Concert, Exhibit, Film and Show. Current/ongoing events are listed first followed by upcoming events in chronological order. If multiple events occur the same day, they are sorted alphabetically by city. If an event occurs on multiple dates, all dates will be noted chronologically within one listing.
CATEGORY | EVENT | CITY | DATE | VENUE |
---|---|---|---|---|
COMEDY | WTF IMPROV | Amsterdam | Every Wed | BOOM Chicago |
COMEDY | ENGLISH STAND UP COMEDY | Amsterdam | Every Thur | De Plakhoek |
COMEDY | COMEDY EMBASSY | Amsterdam | Every Thur | Comedy Cafe |
COMEDY | IMPROV SPECTACULAR | Amsterdam | Every Thur, Fri & Sat | BOOM Chicago |
COMEDY | CLINK COMEDY ALL STARS Standup Comedy in English | Amsterdam | Every Fri | ClinkNOORD |
COMEDY | co*ckTAILS & COMEDY | Amsterdam | Every Sat | Comedy Cafe |
COMEDY | SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE | Amsterdam | Every Sun | BOOM Chicago |
COMEDY | COMEDY TWISTER | Delft | Every other Thur | Three Sisters |
COMEDY | INTERNATIONAL COMEDY SHOWCASE | Nijmegen Leiden | 4th Thur 4th Fri | Tierney's Pub Q-bus |
COMEDY | STANDUP NIJMEGEN COMEDY SHOW | Nijmegen | Every 4th Thur | De Zeester |
COMEDY | A VERY OPEN MIC English Standup Comedy Show | Nijmegen | 3rd Tue of month | Cafe van Ouds |
COMEDY | OPEN MIC IN ENGLISH | Rotterdam | Every Wed | Comedy Club Haug |
COMEDY | JOKES ON THE BOAT | Rotterdam | 2nd Tue of month | Vessel11 |
COMEDY | O'CASEY'S COMEDY NIGHT | The Hague | Every Mon | O'Casey's |
COMEDY | BOOM CHICAGO COMEDY FESTIVAL | Amsterdam | 12-21 July 24 | BOOM Chicago |
COMEDY | BRENDAN HUNT | Amsterdam | 18 July 2024 | BOOM Chicago |
COMEDY | THE HAGUE ENGLISH COMEDY NIGHTS | The Hague | 20 July 2024 | Branoul |
COMEDY | AMSTERDAM INTERNATIONAL STAND UP NIGHT | Amsterdam | 14 Aug 2024 11/26 Sept 24 | OOSTerBAR |
COMEDY | TREVOR NOAH | Rotterdam Amsterdam | 10 Sept 2024 11 Sept 2024 | RTM Stage Ziggo Dome |
COMEDY | ROGIER BAK: Made in USA | Rotterdam | 02 Oct 2024 | Comedy Club Haug |
COMEDY | BIANCA DEL RIO | Amsterdam | 04 Oct 2024 | Carre |
CONCERT/ FESTIVAL | NORTH SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL Sting, Joss Stone, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jaime Cullum, Black Pumas, RAYE | Rotterdam | 12-14 July 24 | Ahoy |
CONCERT/ FESTIVAL | BOSPOP 2024 John Fogerty, Heart, James Blunt, Toto, Alice Cooper | Weert | 12-14 July 24 | Event Grounds |
CONCERT | CHRIS ISAAK | Amsterdam | 15 July 2024 | Carre |
CONCERT | STEVIE NICKS | Amsterdam | 19 July 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT | SISTER SLEDGE | Amsterdam | 31 July 2024 | Paradiso |
CONCERT | DIANA ROSS | Amsterdam | 11 Aug 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT | KIEFER SUTHERLAND | Utrecht | 11 Aug 2024 | TivoliVredenburg |
CONCERT | JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE | Amsterdam | 15/16/19 Aug | Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT | ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK | Eindhoven Utrecht | 30 Aug 2024 05 Sept 2024 | Muziekgebouw TivoliVredenburg |
CONCERT | JOE JACKSON | Groningen Amsterdam Eindhoven Nijmegen Utrecht | 09 Sept 2024 11 Sept 2024 12 Sept 2024 14 Sept 2024 22 Sept 2024 | Oosterpoort Carre Muziekgebouw De Vereeniging TivoliVredenburg |
CONCERT/ FILM | JURASSIC PARK Live in Concert | Rotterdam | 13-14 Sept 24 | RTM Stage |
CONCERT | PRETENDERS | Amsterdam | 17 Sept 2024 | Paradiso |
CONCERT/ FILM | PLANET EARTH III Live in Concert | Amsterdam | 29 Sept 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT | GIPSY KINGS | Amsterdam | 01 Oct 2024 | AFAS Live |
CONCERT | MELANIE MARTINEZ | Amsterdam | 01 Oct 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT | JONAS BROTHERS | Amsterdam | 03 Oct 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT | BRYAN ADAMS | Rotterdam | 04 Oct 2024 | Ahoy |
CONCERT | GLENNIS GRACE | Amsterdam | 06 Oct 2024 | AFAS Live |
CONCERT | JANET JACKSON | Amsterdam | 10 Oct 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT | LINDSAY STERLING | Amsterdam | 14 Oct 2024 | AFAS Live |
CONCERT | LAURYN HILL | Amsterdam | 24 Oct 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT | GAVIN DEGRAW | Amsterdam | 28 Oct 2024 | AFAS Live |
CONCERT | IL DIVO | Amsterdam | 31 Oct 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT | LONDON GRAMMAR | Amsterdam | 03 Nov 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT | THE LAST DINNER PARTY | Utrecht | 17 Nov 2024 | TivoliVredenburg |
CONCERT | UB40 | Amsterdam | 29 Nov 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT | THE SCRIPT | Rotterdam Amsterdam | 06 Dec 2024 07 Dec 2024 | Ahoy Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT/ FILM | LORD OF THE RINGS Live in Concert | Rotterdam | 20-22 Dec 2024 | RTM Stage |
CONCERT | USHER | Amsterdam | 25/26/28 Apr 2025 | Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT | TWENTY ONE PILOTS | Amsterdam | 30 Apr 2025 | Ziggo Dome |
CONCERT | BILLIE EILISH | Amsterdam | 04/05/07 May 2025 | Ziggo Dome |
DANCE | SCAPINO BALLET | Amsterdam | 18-29 Sept 24 | Carre |
DANCE | RIVERDANCE | Rotterdam | 04 Nov 2024 | RTM Stage |
DANCE/ CONCERT | BOLERO | Amsterdam Groningen | 16 Nov 2024 15 Dec 2024 | RAI Martiniplaza |
DANCE/ SHOW | RHYTHM OF THE DANCE The Christmas Special | Nieuwegein Groningen Zoetermeer Lelystad | 09 Dec 2024 13 Dec 2024 20 Dec 2024 22 Dec 2024 | De Kom Martiniplaza Stadstheater Agora |
EXHIBIT | MARINA ABRAMOVIC | Amsterdam | thru 14 July 24 | Stedelijk Museum |
EXHIBIT | MATTHEW WONG | VINCENT VAN GOGH | Amsterdam | thru 01 Sept 24 | Van Gogh Museum |
EXHIBIT | TOWARDS THE BLACK HOLE | Leiden | thru 05 Jan 25 | Boerhaave Museum |
EXHIBIT | SYLVIE FLEURY Yes To All | Rotterdam | thru 08 Sept 24 | Kunsthal |
EXHIBIT | WOMXN. More Than A Muse | Rotterdam | thru 31 Dec 24 | Nederland Fotomuseum |
EXHIBIT | THE PORT | Rotterdam | ongoing | Maritime Museum |
EXHIBIT | BORIS MIKHAILOV Ukrainian Diary | The Hague | thru 18 Aug 24 | Fotomuseum Den Haag |
EXHIBIT | MICHAELANGELO'S SISTINE CHAPEL | The Hague | thru 28 July 24 | Grote Kerk |
EXHIBIT | DE HAAGSE SCHOOL | The Hague | thru 01 Sept 24 | Kunstmuseum |
EXHIBIT | MAX VORST If Not Now, When? | The Hague | thru 08 Sept 24 | Beelden aan Zee |
EXHIBIT | DIOR: A New Look | The Hague | 21 Sept 2024- 26 Jan 2025 | Kunstmuseum |
FILM | CINE EXPAT Amsterdam | Amsterdam | Ongoing | Cinecenter |
FILM | EXPAT CINEMA Amsterdam | Amsterdam | Every Wed | Het Ketelhuis |
FILM | EXPAT CINEMA Leiden | Leiden | Every Wed | Kijkhuis |
FILM | EXPAT CINEMA Rotterdam | Rotterdam | Every other Sun & Wed | LantarenVenster |
FILM | PRIDE NIGHT | Netherlands | 1st Wed of month | Pathe Cinemas |
FILM FESTIVAL | PLUK DE NACHT Open-Air Film Festival | Utrecht Amsterdam | 02-10 Aug 24 21-31 Aug 24 | Nijverheidsweg 16 Het Stennen Hoofd |
FILM/ CONCERT | JURASSIC PARK Live in Concert | Rotterdam | 13-14 Sept 24 | RTM Stage |
FILM FESTIVAL | CAMERA JAPAN FILM FESTIVAL | Rotterdam Amsterdam | 26-29 Sept 24 03-06 Oct 24 | LantarenVenster Lab111 |
FILM/ CONCERT | PLANET EARTH III Live in Concert | Amsterdam | 29 Sept 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
FILM FESTIVAL | IMAGINE FILM FESTIVAL | Amsterdam | 24 Oct-03 Nov | De Filmhallen |
FILM FESTIVAL | WILDLIFE FILM FESTIVAL ROTTERDAM | Rotterdam | 29 Oct-03 Nov | Cinerama |
FILM/ CONCERT | LORD OF THE RINGS Live in Concert | Rotterdam | 20-22 Dec 2024 | RTM Stage |
SHOW | Disney FROZEN The Musical | The Hague | thru 15 Sept 24 | Circustheater |
SHOW | JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (English Production) | The Hague Eindhoven | 10-14 July 24 04-08 Sept 24 | World Forum Parktheater |
SHOW | OSCAR | Amsterdam | 18-29 Aug 24 | Carre |
SHOW/ DANCE | AMSTERDAM FRINGE FESTIVAL | Amsterdam | 05-15 Sept 24 | Multiple Venues |
SHOW | MOULIN ROUGE The Musical | Utrecht | 07 Sept-29 Dec | Beatrixtheater |
SHOW | CIRQUE DU SOLEIL Corteo | Rotterdam | 15-17 Nov 24 | Ahoy |
SHOW | SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER | Breda The Hague Tilburg Rotterdam Maastricht Amstelveen Utrecht Groningen Amsterdam Eindhoven | 26 Nov-01 Dec 06-08 Dec 24 11-15 Dec 24 20 Dec-05 Jan 08-12 Jan 25 31 Jan-02 Feb 11-13 Feb 25 14-16 Feb 25 26 Feb-09 Mar 12-16 Mar 25 | Chasse Amare Schouwburg Nieuwe Luxor a/h Vrijthof Schouwburg Stadsschouwburg Martiniplaza Delamar Parktheater |
SHOW/ DANCE | RHYTHM OF THE DANCE The Christmas Special | Nieuwegein Groningen Zoetermeer Lelystad | 09 Dec 2024 13 Dec 2024 20 Dec 2024 22 Dec 2024 | De Kom Martiniplaza Stadstheater Agora |
SHOW | DISNEY ON ICE Mickey and Friends | Utrecht | 20-30 Dec 24 | Jaarbeurs |
SHOW | WORLD CHRISTMAS CIRCUS | Amsterdam | 01-05 Jan 25 | Carre |
SHOW | HOLIDAY ON ICE No Limits | Rotterdam | 03-05 Jan 25 | Ahoy |
ENTERTAINMENT IN NETHERLANDS
The following is a brief overview of the entertainment scene for expats in the Netherlands, with insight about concerts, movies, theater plays, musicals and stand-up comedy performances that take place in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Groningen, Tilburg and elsewhere in Holland.
![CONCERTS, SHOWS, EXHIBITS & COMEDY | ExpatINFO Holland (1) CONCERTS, SHOWS, EXHIBITS & COMEDY | ExpatINFO Holland (1)](https://i0.wp.com/expatinfoholland.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Hague-concerts-shows-dance-comedy-events.jpg)
NETHERLANDS CONCERTS
Amsterdam attracts top international artists on European tours. In 2018 the city hosted 39% of all music concerts that took place in the Netherlands that year.
The most popular concert venue in Amsterdam is the 18,000-seat Ziggo Dome indoor arena which has welcomed the likes of Elton John, U2, Paul McCartney, Beyonce, Barbra Streisand, Mariah Carey and Lady Gaga.
The adjacent Johan Cruijff Arena, is the Netherlands largest sports stadium seating 55,000 fans for Ajax football games. It is sometimes used to host mega concerts (seating up to 70,000). Scheduled summer 2024 concerts include Taylor Swift (3 shows) and P!nk (2 shows).
Other popular Amsterdam concert venues include AFAS Live (capacity 6,000), Melkweg (capacity 1,500) and Paradiso (capacity 1,500).
Rotterdam also attracts well-known international music acts with its 16,000-seat Ahoy arena. Artists who have performed there in the past include Britney Spears, Michael Bublé, Jennifer Lopez and the Backstreet Boys. At the same location is the recently constructed RTM Stage with a capacity of 7,000.
Arnhem is another Dutch city with a large sports arena, the GelreDome (capacity 34,000-41,000) that is occasionally used to host concerts. Artists scheduled for 2024 concerts at the GelreDome include The Eagles and Green Day.
Other cities and venues where international artists perform in the Netherlands include De Effinaar and Muziekgebouw (Eindhoven), De Oosterpoort (Groningen), Patronaat (Haarlem), Paard van Troje (The Hague), 013 (Tilburg), TivoliVredenburg (Utrecht) and De Boerderij (Zoetermeer).
NETHERLANDS MUSIC FESTIVALS
The Netherlands is known for its music festivals; approximately 1,800 are organized each year. Among the larger annual musical festivals are Milkshake (Amsterdam), PaasPop (Den Bosch), Eurosonic (Groningen), PinkPop (Landgraaf), North Sea Jazz Festival, Metropolis (Rotterdam), BosPop (Weert) and Concert at Sea (Zeeland).
The Dutch PinkPop (Landgraaf) festival holds the world record as the oldest continuous music festival, having run 49 years straight (1970-2019). The 2020 and 2021 editions of PinkPop were cancelled due to Covid-19.
Electronic, dance, techno, house and trance are popular music genres in the Netherlands. Dutch DJs and music producers are at the forefront of this music scene. Many have achieved international success including Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, Martin Garrix and Tiesto.
NETHERLANDS CINEMAS & FILM
Big budget Hollywood movies will generally open in Dutch cinemas around the same time they are released in the United States. Art house and lower-budget films, on the other hand, may be released weeks or even months after they open in American theaters.
Hollywood films in English are shown this way in cinemas but with Dutch subtitles. The exception to this rule is with children’s films.
Animated movies and other films for kids are dubbed in Dutch (and will not have English subtitles). Cinemas in larger cities, including Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam, may show the original version in English on one screen in addition to the Dutch version on multiple screens. Be aware the English-language version will be denoted by the letters ‘OV‘ (original version).
In total, there are over 600 movie screens in the Netherlands. The largest cinema chains are Pathe, Kinepolis and VUE.
There are a number of large film festivals in the Netherlands during the year. These include the International Film Festival Rotterdam (January), Movies That Matter Festival (March, The Hague), Nederlands Film Festival (September, Utrecht), Leiden International Film Festival (October) and International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (November).
The Dutch box office is generally dominated by Hollywood films. These were the Netherlands top 10 films of 2023.
NETHERLANDS THEATER PLAYS
Theater plays in the Netherlands are always performed in Dutch. Exceptions are those productions by international theater groups like The English Theatre , AATG, Leiden English Theatre and IDEA.
NETHERLANDS MUSICALS
Musical theater is popular in the Netherlands and shows will either travel to multiple cities or run for an extended period in just one location. The productions themselves are generally revivals of well-known West End or Broadway shows. Spoken dialogue is almost always in Dutch with the score performed in English.
Theater (‘schouwburg’) venues in the Netherlands include De Meervaart, Carre Theater and DeLeMar Theater (Amsterdam), Chasse Theater (Breda), Parktheater (Eindhoven), Martiniplaza (Groningen), Amare, Circustheater and World Form Theater (The Hague), Stadsschouwburg (Nijmegen), Luxor and Nieuwe Luxor Theatre (Rotterdam) and Beatrixtheater (Utrecht).
NETHERLANDS DANCE PERFORMANCES
The Netherlands has many highly respected dance troupes which perform in their home dance hall as well as tour the country. Contemporary, modern jazz and ballet are all popular dance genres in Holland. Prominent troupes include the Dutch National Ballet (Amsterdam), Nederlands Dans Theater and De Dutch Don’t Dance Division (The Hague), Scapino Ballet and Conny Janssen Danst (Rotterdam).
MORE NETHERLANDS EVENTS…
- SPORTS EVENTS