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 | OPEN MIC (ENGLISH) | Amsterdam | Every Wed | Comedy Cafe |
| COMEDY | ENGLISH STAND UP COMEDY | Amsterdam | Every Thur | De Plakhoek |
| COMEDY | IMPROV SPECTACULAR | Amsterdam | Every Fri | BOOM Chicago |
| COMEDY | CLINK COMEDY ALL STARS Standup Comedy in English | Amsterdam | Every Fri | ClinkNOORD |
| COMEDY | COCKTAILS & COMEDY | Amsterdam | Every Sat | Comedy Cafe |
| COMEDY | SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE | Amsterdam | Every Sun | BOOM Chicago |
| COMEDY | STAND UP COMEDY SHOWCASE | Amsterdam | Last Sun of month | WUSH |
| COMEDY | INTERNATIONAL COMEDY SHOWCASE | Nijmegen Leiden | 4th Thur 4th Fri | Tierney's Pub Q-bus |
| COMEDY | STANDUP NIJMEGEN COMEDY SHOW | Nijmegen | 1st Thur of month | 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 | ENGLISH OPEN MIC NIGHT | Utrecht | Every Tue | Comedy Cafe |
| COMEDY | BILL BAILEY | Eindhoven Groningen Rotterdam Utrecht | 30 Apr 2024 01 May 2024 07 May 2024 08 May 2024 | Muziekgebouw Oosterpoort Oude Luxor TivoliVredenburg |
| COMEDY | COMEDY CAFE The Laughing Lizard | Eindhoven | 24 May 2024 | Parktheater |
| COMEDY | THE HAGUE ENGLISH COMEDY NIGHTS | The Hague | 25 May 2024 08 June 2024 20 July 2024 | Branoul |
| COMEDY | TREVOR NOAH | Rotterdam Amsterdam | 10 Sept 2024 11 Sept 2024 | RTM Stage Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT | VAN MORRISON | Utrecht | 30 Apr-01 May | TivoliVredenburg |
| CONCERT | TRAIN | Tilburg | 03 May 2024 | 013 |
| CONCERT | BRETT YOUNG | Utrecht | 13 May 2024 | TivoliVredenburg |
| CONCERT | NICKI MINAJ | Amsterdam | 23 May 2024 02 June 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT | OLIVIA RODRIGO | Amsterdam | 24-25 May 24 | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT | NICKELBACK | Amsterdam | 26 May 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT/ FILM | STAR WARS: A New Hope Live in Concert | Rotterdam | 31 May-01 Jun | RTM Stage |
| CONCERT | AC/DC | Amsterdam | 05 June 2024 | Johan Cruijff Arena |
| CONCERT | ROD STEWART | Amsterdam | 12 June 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT | EAGLES | Arnhem | 13 June 2024 | Gelredome |
| CONCERT | KAROL G | Amsterdam | 14-15 June 24 | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT/ FESTIVAL | CENTRAL PARK FESTIVAL Di-rect, Davina Michelle, Suzan & Freek | Utrecht | 15-16 Jun 24 | Stadspark |
| CONCERT | DOJA CAT | Amsterdam | 19 June 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT | GREEN DAY | Arnhem | 19 June 2024 | Gelredome |
| CONCERT | GLADYS KNIGHT | Amsterdam Eindhoven | 20 June 2024 22 June 2024 | Carre Muziekgrbouw |
| CONCERT/ FESTIVAL | PINKPOP 2024 Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Nothing But Thieves, Avril Lavigne, Hozier | Landgraaf | 21-23 June 24 | Megaland |
| CONCERT | PET SHOP BOYS | Amsterdam | 26 June 2024 | AFAS Live |
| CONCERT | BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN | Nijmegen | 27 June 2024 | Goffertpark |
| CONCERT | MASSIVE ATTACK | Tilburg | 27 June 2024 | Spoorpark |
| CONCERT/ FESTIVAL | CONCERT AT SEA 2024 Nile Rogers & Chic, Davina Michelle, Miss Montreal, Kane, BlØf | Zeeland | 27-29 June 24 | Brouwersdam |
| CONCERT | SMASHING PUMPKINS | Rotterdam | 29 June 2024 | Ahoy |
| CONCERT | LENNY KRAVITZ | Amsterdam | 01 July 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT | TOM ODELL | Amsterdam | 02 July 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT | DIANA KRALL | Eindhoven | 03-04 July 24 | Muziekgebouw |
| CONCERT | TAYLOR SWIFT | Amsterdam | 04-06 July 24 | Johan Cruijff Arena |
| CONCERT | P!NK | Amsterdam | 10-11 July 24 | Johan Cruijff Arena |
| CONCERT | MEGAN THEE STALLION | Amsterdam | 10 July 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT | LAUREN DAIGLE | Amsterdam | 12 July 2024 | AFAS Live |
| 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 | STEVIE NICKS | Amsterdam | 19 July 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT | DIANA ROSS | Amsterdam | 11 Aug 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT | JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE | Amsterdam | 15/16/19 Aug | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT | ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK | Utrecht | 05 Sept 2024 | 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 | 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 | UB40 | Amsterdam | 29 Nov 2024 | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT | USHER | Amsterdam | 25/26/28 Apr 2025 | Ziggo Dome |
| CONCERT | TWENTY ONE PILOTS | Amsterdam | 30 Apr 2025 | Ziggo Dome |
| DANCE | NDT2 The Beauty Of It All | Utrecht | 30 Apr-01 May | Stadsschouwburg |
| DANCE | SWAN LAKE | Den Bosch Rotterdam | 03 May 2024 24 May 2024 | Brabanthallen RTM Stage |
| DANCE | SCAPINO BALLET | Amsterdam | 18-29 Sept 24 | Carre |
| DANCE | RIVERDANCE | Rotterdam | 04 Nov 2024 | RTM Stage |
| EXHIBIT | TULIP FESTIVAL | Amsterdam | thru 30 Apr 24 | Multiple Locations |
| EXHIBIT | ROBBIE WILLIAMS | Amsterdam | thru 08 July 24 | MOCO Museum |
| EXHIBIT | FRANS HALS | Amsterdam | thru 09 June 24 | Rijksmuseum |
| EXHIBIT | WHAT COMES AROUND GOES AROUND | Amsterdam | thru 05 June 24 | Fashion For Good Museum |
| EXHIBIT | TOWARDS THE BLACK HOLE | Leiden | thru 05 Jan 24 | Boerhaave Museum |
| EXHIBIT | SHINKICHI TAJIRI The Restless Wanderer | Maastricht | thru 12 May 24 | Bonnefanten |
| 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 | BORIS MIKHAILOV Ukrainian Diary | The Hague | thru 18 Aug 24 | Fotomuseum Den Haag |
| 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 | BLOWUP ART THE HAGUE | The Hague | 09 May-02 June | Hofvijver |
| 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/ CONCERT | STAR WARS: A New Hope Live in Concert | Rotterdam | 31 May-01 Jun | RTM Stage |
| 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 FESTIVAL | IMAGINE FILM FESTIVAL | Amsterdam | 24 Oct-03 Nov | De Filmhallen |
| FILM FESTIVAL | WILDLIFE FILM FESTIVAL ROTTERDAM | Rotterdam | 29 Oct-03 Nov | Cinerama |
| SHOW | PRETTY WOMAN The Musical | Utrecht | thru 28 Apr 24 | Beatrixtheater |
| SHOW |  | The Hague | 04 May 2024 | a/h Spui |
| SHOW | JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (English Production) | Tilburg Groningen Den Bosch Utrecht The Hague Eindhoven | 15-19 May 24 29 May-02 June 12-16 June 24 19-23 June 24 10-14 July 24 04-08 Sept 24 | Schouwburg Martiniplaza a/d Parade Stadsschouwburg World Forum Parktheater |
| SHOW | Disney FROZEN The Musical | The Hague | 31 May-15 Sept | Circustheater |
| SHOW |  | The Hague | 15-16 June 24 | a/h Spui |
| SHOW | JEAN PAUL GAUTIER FASHION FREAK SHOW | Amsterdam | 24-28 July 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 |
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.
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).