On Saturday, October 10, the streets of Amsterdam-Zuid will come to life during 24 Hours of Zuid. With over 50 free activities, iconic locations in De Pijp, Oud-Zuid, the Rivierenbuurt, and the Zuidas will open their doors for this one-time event. From hidden basements to vibrant cultural venues: this is your chance to explore the city for free.
A free peek behind closed facades
During 24 Hours Zuid, buildings that are usually closed or charge an admission fee open their doors. It’s a rare chance to experience the architecture up close at no cost.
In the Zuidas, you can watch short Dutch films for free at the brand-new Cinema The Pulse. At Beatrixpark, the round chapel of Circus Odesa opens its doors with a Ukrainian art exhibition and fermentation workshops. Heritage sites are also joining in: descend into the 19th-century wine cellar of Wijnhandel B.J. de Logie or take a look inside the Dirk Fire Station on Museumplein.
More than 50 free experiences
The festival program flows seamlessly from soothing morning rituals to nighttime experiences. In the iconic Thomaskerk, for example, the day begins in complete silence with a relaxing yoga session, while sunlight streams through the stained-glass windows.
Sports enthusiasts can participate in an energetic 3×3 basketball tournament on Museumplein, and music fans can discover rhythmic percussion workshops in the festival’s heart. As night falls, the festivities move to the rooftop terrace of the nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel. There, powerful telescopes from the Volkssterrenwacht (Public Observatory) are ready to let visitors gaze at the moon, planets, and the deep starry sky above Zuid—all free of charge.
A Hundred Years of Stories and Heritage
Amsterdam-Zuid is steeped in history, from the expressive Amsterdam School style to modern urban art. At the De Dageraad Visitor Center, you’ll discover during an architectural walking tour how H.P. Berlage found a solution to the housing shortage a century ago with his famous Plan Zuid.
Meanwhile, in the iconic Wolkenkrabber, you can enjoy intimate living room concerts. Families will also find plenty to enjoy: children can let loose at a nostalgic roller-skating disco at Move or participate in creative workshops. In this way, the district’s rich cultural heritage comesto life for 24 hours for young and old alike.
Here’s how to make the most of 24 Hours Zuid
- Festival Hub & Information: Pick up a printed map between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Lydia Community Center on Roelof Hartplein.
- Times: The event runs from 6:00 a.m. on Saturday morning until 6:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.
- Costs & Reservations: All 50+ events are 100% free. For popular tours, reserve a spot in advance via the official Iamsterdam website.
