
Amsterdam is much more than just canal boats and coffee shops. There’s a thriving music scene here, particularly of the classical kind. And while we might be a little biased, we’d say that the city has some of the most breathtaking live music venues in Europe. From the spectacular Het Concertgebouw to the historic De Waalse Kerk, some of the city’s most gorgeous spaces are hosting classical concerts in Amsterdam throughout 2025.
Over the coming year, these venues and more will sound with the symphonies provided by homegrown talents like The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra. There’re even iconic institutions travelling from far and wide to share their gifts with the city, including Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Berlin Philharmonic. All of that to say, when it comes to classical concerts, Amsterdam’s the place to be this year, and we’ve rounded up the shows we’re most excited for below.
Classical Music Highlights Over The Coming Months
Classical concerts in Amsterdam are often scheduled seasonally, so many have yet to be announced for 2025. That said, we’ve rounded up the ones that have been released so far below, but expect a few more to pop up towards the end of the year.
1. Willem Brons presents Satomi Chihara & Miri Kim
Kicking off our list of classical concerts in Amsterdam is an evening presented by former students of Dutch musician Willem Brons. Performing works by the likes of Schumann and Brahms, pianist Satomi Chihara and violinist Miri Kim will take concertgoers on a journey through music that reflects the human experience. We’re talking the drama and passion expressed in Debussy’s “Violin Sonata in G Minor” and the emotion of “Violin Sonata, FP 119”, a piece written as an ode to Spanish poet Federico García Lorca. Find out more here.
📅2 March
📍De Waalse Kerk
2. Polyphonic Amsterdam
Led by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Polyphonic Amsterdam explores the works that have influenced the city’s classical music scene, showcasing pieces by both Dutch and international musicians. Some of the compositions in the programme include Theo Verbey’s “Notturno” and Calliope Tsoupaki’s “Another Day” — two pieces that were inspired by daily life in Amsterdam. It starts at 8:15 PM in the Main Hall of the Concertgebouw and lasts just under two hours.
📅7 March
📍Concertgebouw
3. Shostakovich vs. Bach
Timeless compositions by two classical music greats go head to head at this Shostakovich vs. Bach concert. As part of their 50th Anniversary European Tour, the Australian Chamber Orchestra will be performing works by the composers inside Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ. Musician Richard Tognetti will be directing the concert that features “Brandenburg Concerto no. 3 in G major” and “Piano Concerto no. 1 in C minor” as well as a performance by award-winning pianist Alexander Melnikov.
📅 11 March
📍Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ
4. Kristiina Poska conducts Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9
Inside the Het Concertgebouw, Estonian conductor Kristiina Poska will be guiding Flanders Symphony Orchestra and Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir through Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in d minor, op. 125. Having hosted the likes of Gustav Mahler and Igor Stravinsky, Het Concertgebouw’s gorgeous Main Hall will set the historic scene for this classical concert. With its outstanding acoustics, Neo-Renaissance architecture and classicist styles, there are few live music venues in Amsterdam that are better suited for a classical concert of this kind.
📅2 April
📍Het Concertgebouw
5. Organ concerts at De Waalse Kerk
Every second Tuesday of each month, the 15th-century De Waalse Kerk opens its doors to music fans who’re on the hunt for classical concerts in Amsterdam. Starting at 12pm, a select group of students from Conservatorium van Amsterdam perform on the church’s organ that has stood in the west side since 1734. The students get to practice, and the audience enjoys a 30-minute concert completely free — it’s a win-win for everyone!
📅Second Tuesday of every month (except in July and August)
📍De Waalse Kerk
6. Mahler Festival
For the third time, Het Concertgebouw is hosting the world-renowned Mahler Festival. Over a 10 day period, Mahler’s famous symphonies will be performed in the elegant Main Hall while his song repertoire will sound inside the oval-shaped Recital Hall. Orchestras including The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, The Berlin Philharmonic and The Chicago Symphony Orchestra are billed to perform, as well as English pianist Julius Drake. There’ll also be lectures, workshops and podcast interviews taking place throughout the 10-day event.
📅9-18 May
📍Het Concertgebouw
7. Bösendorfer Series: Mariam Batsashvili
Mariam Batsashvili’s piano recital is part of the sixth season in the Bösendorfer Series, which sees acclaimed pianists perform on the Bösendorfer Imperial Grand piano. Featuring works by the likes of Haydn and Mozart, the evening’s programme focuses on famous classical pieces traditionally performed on the ivory keys. What’s more, as the winner of the 10th International Liszt Competition, Batsashvili will likely include compositions by the Hungarian composer to the set list too.
📅19 June
📍De Waalse Kerk
8. Grachtenfestival
Grachtenfestival is another classical music festival that should be added to your calendar this year. Over 200 concerts take place over 10 days, making it one of the largest festivals of its kind in Europe. The festival is dedicated to emerging talents in the classical music world. Some of Amsterdam’s most unique locations are known to host its concerts, including parks, gardens, museums and even The Royal Palace. In fact, one of the most popular concerts of the entire festival is the Prinsengracht Concert which takes place on a floating stage on the Prinsengracht canal.
📅15-24 August
📍Various locations
9. Klassiek op het Amstelveld
Klassiek op het Amstelveld is a free classical concert that takes place every year in Amstelveld Square. It’s a completely open-air affair that occurs on a Friday and Saturday in September and welcomes everyone to enjoy the performances, classical music fan or not. This year, 10-year-old pianist Yulianna Beziazychna is one of several acts due to perform, as well as Levi Schechtmann, a German rising star who’s famous for fusing classical music with hip-hop beats.
📅19-20 September
📍 Amstelveld Square
Candlelight
Candlelight is a fabulous introduction to the world of classical music. Guided by a string quartet or a solo pianist, these live music tributes to the likes of Bach, Vivaldi and Mozart light up some of Amsterdam’s most gorgeous venues, including Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski and De Waalse Kerk.
And it’s not just classical composers that get their flowers either. Performed by brilliant musicians, songs by contemporary stars like Taylor Swift, Coldplay and Adele go for a classical spin too. It’s an enchanting musical experience illuminated by thousands of twinkling candles, making for an evening that’s simply too good to miss.