Enjoy the sunny days to the fullest! The outdoor cafes are filling up, the parks are turning green, and everyone is eager to get outside. But let’s be honest: a summer in our capital city can really put a dent in your wallet. Between the expensive ice cream, pricey outdoor cafe bills, and ticket prices for major festivals, Amsterdam sometimes seems to be becoming unaffordable.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! You really don’t have to go broke this year to make memories. In July and August, there are tons of free things to do in Amsterdam. From live music and open-air movie theaters to hidden swimming spots: there’s so much to do without spending a single cent.
Keti Koti Festival
Celebrate freedom, equality, and solidarity with your friends or family during the Keti Koti Festival on July 1. Keti Koti literally means “broken chains” and commemorates the abolition of slavery. Put on your best outfit and join the Bigi Spikri in the morning: a colorful and festive parade full of authentic cultural costumes that winds its way from Waterlooplein toward Oosterpark.
Then the free festival kicks off in Oosterpark and on Museumplein. Stroll past the lively market stalls, sample the very best Surinamese and Caribbean dishes, and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere together.
🎤 Tip: Don’t miss the live performance by reggae legend Ky-Mani Marley (Bob Marley’s son!) under any circumstances.
World Pride 2026
Amsterdam is hosting WorldPride 2026 this year, which means the city will be bursting with hundreds of free street parties, cultural events, and performances for two whole weeks. The absolute must-see is Pride Park in Vondelpark: a fun, free open-air festival packed with live music. The biggest spectacle of all is the world-famous Canal Parade on Saturday, August 1. Find a free spot along the Prinsengracht and enjoy the beautifully decorated boats!
🌈 Don’t miss: The Canal Parade on Saturday, August 1
Swimming outdoors in the city
Escape the summer heat and cool off in the city’s clean outdoor waters. Jump right into the deep end from the popular wooden piers at the Marineterrein in the city center. Would you rather seek out unspoiled nature or a sandy beach? Then bike to the expansive Het Twiske nature reserve or relax by the Sloterplas in West.
💦 Tip: Before you head out, check the Zwemwater website for the latest water quality information.
Vondelpark Open-Air Theater
For over 50 years, you’ve been able to enjoy top Dutch cabaret, live music, and dance for free every weekend in Vondelpark . This open-air theater truly has something for everyone and is the perfect spot for families. Saturday afternoons are especially great here, with the best children’s theater for the kids. Bring a picnic blanket, settle down on the grass, and enjoy the ultimate Amsterdam summer atmosphere together!
👨👩👧👦 Great for: Families, kids, music lovers, and comedy fans
Pluk de Nacht Open-Air Film Festival
Watching movies under the stars by the IJ? At Pluk de Nacht, you’re always welcome to walk right in for free to enjoy a drink, a snack, and the laid-back festival vibe. You can watch the movie completely free of charge from the terrace or from your own beach chair or blanket. Want to sit right up front in a comfortable beach chair provided by the festival itself? Then buy a ticket for a small fee and directly support this amazing nonprofit event.
🪑 Tip: Bring your own folding chair or blanket to guarantee a free and comfortable seat.
Amsterdam Roots Festival
For nearly 40 years, the Amsterdam Roots Festival has been the city’s ultimate cultural melting pot. Everyone is welcome at Oosterpark to celebrate freedom and diversity together. Although the festival once started out as purely a music festival, you can now enjoy an amazing, multidisciplinary program for free , featuring acrobatic circus acts, energetic dance, theater, and spoken word from all corners of the world.
The Grachtenfestival
Explore the city from the water with the country’s largest classical and jazz festival. Although you’ll need a ticket for the major indoor venues, the program is packed with free jazz concerts and open-air sessions. So you don’t have to spend a single cent to enjoy the festivities! Be sure not to miss the free live performances in Flevopark .
TREK Festival
During Festival TREK, Amstelpark transforms into a large and lively open-air restaurant. Admission to this traveling food truck festival is completely free. Discover dozens of mobile kitchens serving dishes ranging from sushi to Surinamese cuisine, and enjoy live music, street theater, and retro attractions. In the evening, DJs transform the park into a dance floor filled with groovy funk and soul classics.
💳 Good to know: Admission is free, but you can only pay for food with a debit card.
The city’s best free markets
Want to enjoy a cozy Saturday or Sunday morning without spending a dime? Amsterdam is bursting with creative markets where you can enjoy live music, art, and a fantastic atmosphere—all for free. Here are the three absolute favorites you shouldn’t miss this summer:
- Sunday Market: The ultimate creative market full of design, fashion, art, and cozy food trucks at the Westergasfabriek (every first Sunday of the month).
- Pure Markt: A craft-focused traveling market in the city’s most beautiful parks, packed with local food and live entertainment (almost every Sunday).
- Noordermarkt: The iconic, historic market in the Jordaan where you can browse unique vintage items, antiques, and organic local products on Saturdays.
The Prinsengracht Concert
Experience Amsterdam’s most iconic open-air concert live from the canal. This year, the piano takes center stage, and the renowned Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes will shine on the pontoon in front of Hotel Pulitzer. You won’t have to pay a cent for a ticket. Just find a spot along the waterfront early enough and, as is tradition, sing along to “Aan de Amsterdamse grachten” at the end.
