From comedy to cars and kwaku: 12 things to do this summer

While many people would choose to leave the swampy Netherlands for the sweltering heat of Spain and Greece, staying put is also an option. Here are some reasons why.

Laugh with Boom Chicago

Boom Chicago in Amsterdam proudly hosts its 4th comedy festival with 35 shows and 160 performers from 12 countries. Stand-up, sit-down, LGBTQ, drag, hip-hop, you name it. Laughter everywhere. July 11-21. website

Admire Paestum from Leiden

If you’re heading to Paestum, Italy, this summer, you might be disappointed, as the Rijksmuseum Auderheiden in Leiden has loaned many artifacts from its museum for the exhibition. Paestum, the Greek and Roman city of goddesses. The exhibition will showcase the city’s history with more than 200 artifacts, including tomb murals, temple decorations, goddess statues, pottery, glassware and coins. It will run until August 25. website

Try on hats at the Central Museum

Collector Hans van Emmerik has managed to build the largest private collection of fashion from the first half of the 20th century in the Netherlands after his tireless search. The Centraal Museum in Utrecht has 300 dresses on display, some of which bear no maker’s name and are probably meticulous copies, while others are by the fashion house sisters Jenny and Callot, both of whom were famous around 1900.

The dresses are also a delight to look at, as they are exhibited alongside an exhibition of hats from the Tiny Meihuizen-Wijker collection. You can even try them on virtually. Fashionable*Hat Lasts until September 24th. website

Melt your stone art at the Rijksmuseum

Amsterdam Rijksmuseum invites Korean artists to create the 11th free museum Garden ExhibitionYufan calls it the “art of encounter,” meaning that, aside from bumping into rocks while swinging your umbrella, the rocks are there for you to touch and caress. Stone Art Lasts until October 27th. website

Experience the charm of drama at Amsterdamse Bos

Amsterdam’s Bostheater was packed this summer, not just because of the mosquitoes, but also because of the activities. For example, the Cinetree Forest Film Festival scheduled screenings of films such as “Frida”, “The Boy and the Heron” and “The Challenger”. August 22, 23 and 24. website

Leave the car there too.

In addition, there are: Summer Festival Adapted from Igor Stavinsky’s The Rite of Spring, performed by De Valmer Winkel. In this version, however, the car (one of 35 donated for the cause) is the centerpiece. It is dragged onto the stage and offered as a sacrifice to appease the environmental gods it has insulted. English subtitles will be available on selected dates in July and August. website

Visit the Arbor in Tilburg

The beautiful Oude Warande park in Tilburg is hosting its annual contemporary sculpture exhibition. Organiser Lustwarande brings together national and international artists who continue the ancient woodworking tradition.. Tree (meaning tree in Latin) starts on July 7th. website

Enjoy music and play football at Kwaku

Clear your calendar and head to Amsterdam for the Kwaku Summer Festival. Earth Wind & Fire, Elvis Crespo and Frenna and the Gang are all set to perform, and that’s just the Friday night concerts. The line-up is huge, and of course there’s a Kwaku football game. July 13 – August 4 website

Electrification in Spaarnwoude

The electronic dance music festival Dance Valley invites you to choose your favourite artist from 77 artists in 8 regions. This year’s artists taking to the hills of Spaarnwoude include Cocoon, Voltage, Lucas & Steve and friends and many more. August 10th. website

Immerse yourself in Van Gogh’s landscapes

There’s still time to visit Matthew Wong’s exhibition at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. His mesmerizing landscapes show the influence of the colorful late works of the artist he admired. Like Van Gogh, Wong was a tortured soul who painted obsessively until his suicide in 2019. Matthew Wong’s exhibition Painting as a Last Resort runs until September 1. website

Gathering at Amsterdam Pride

This year’s Pride theme is “Together”. Events include the Canal Parade on August 3, the Pride Parade on July 27, and the Pride in the Park event in Vondelpark on the same day.

Organizers have arranged about 300 activities, including arts and culture, sports, seminars and outdoor parties. July 27-August 4. website

Meet new performers

If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, then the Grachtenfestival is for you. It is a 10-day festival of classical music and jazz, with promising young artists performing in the soothing environment of Tolhuistuin in the north of Amsterdam. 23 August – 1 September. website