On the 748th birthday of the city, the first concrete plans were announced.
On the 748th birthday of the city, the first concrete plans were announced. The celebratory year kicks off on October 27, 2024, with a grand and vibrant Opening Concert at the Ziggo Dome. Then, the year will be filled with over 200 activities, including musicals, exhibitions, sports events, community activities, storytelling and photography projects, kids’ activities, and much more. On October 27, 2025, Amsterdam’s 750th birthday, we will conclude the jubilee year with festivities. Details about the closing event will be announced in mid-2024.
Mayor Halsema: “Amsterdam 750 is more than just a celebration. Especially now, with the solidarity in our city being tested in recent weeks by the situation in Israel and Gaza, it’s beautiful and hopeful to see how all these different associations, foundations, businesses, neighborhoods, and individual Amsterdammers come together to contribute to the jubilee year, to celebrate together what binds us: the love for our unique city.”
The Amsterdam 750 Jubilee Year will kick off on October 27, 2024, at the Ziggo Dome with a spectacular opening concert. A tribute to Amsterdam past and present. The Metropole Orchestra, ISH Dance Collective, Zo! Gospel Choir, and Live in Concert will take visitors on a musical and visual journey through time. Featuring new music and familiar hits, from tearjerkers to dance tunes, showcasing emerging talent and established artists, with hip-hop dance and urban sports, classical ballet and spoken word, from intimate to explosive and energetic. Ticket sales will begin at the end of February. The municipality will make a quarter of the total 15,000 tickets available to Amsterdammers who contribute to the city in a special way or are unable to purchase a ticket.
The 750th birthday of Amsterdam is celebrated with a broad and diverse range of activities spread throughout the entire city. Featuring cultural events and exhibitions such as the Amsterdam Museum, which aims to rewrite the city’s history from a female perspective, paying tribute to the women of Amsterdam. The Van Gogh Museum also puts women in the spotlight with Ik ben Jo!, focusing on the wife of Theo van Gogh (Vincent van Gogh’s brother). The City Archives opens a major exhibition on October 27, 2024, focusing on the birth of the city, the emergence of Amsterdam in the Middle Ages. Two major musicals introduce the audience to two true Amsterdam stories. De Koning van Amsterdam by Bos Theaterproducties tells the story of the notorious Amsterdam entrepreneur Maup Caransa, with all its ups and downs, secrets, and strong business acumen. The musical Onze Jordaan brings a musical tale full of nostalgia, melancholy, and memories with the indestructible repertoire of Johnny Jordaan, Tante Leen, and Willy Alberti.
In June 2025, the city will be dedicated to the future of Amsterdam for ten days. What is the influence of technological developments and how do we address the challenges of the 21st century? These questions will be at the heart of the ‘ToekomstTiendaagse’ event. Together with schools, universities, museums, debate centers, and the business community, the program will be shaped. The ‘ToekomstTiendaagse’ event will culminate in a grand celebration, featuring music, dance, sports, and much more at a unique location to be announced later.
In addition to focusing on the past and future of the city, there will be plenty to do and experience throughout the Jubilee Year. For young Amsterdammers aged between 10 and 15, the “biggest street football tournament in Amsterdam” is being organized – an initiative of the city council. With the assistance of the Johan Cruijff Foundation, this will be a tournament that honors Johan Cruijff’s legacy. The final will take place at a unique location in the city. In October 2025, we will celebrate 50 years of the Amsterdam Marathon with a special anniversary edition. Also, SAIL Amsterdam 2025 – the highlight of the Amsterdam 750-year celebration – cannot be overlooked. From August 20th to 24th, 2025, impressive ships and their colorful crews will line the docks of Amsterdam. The National Opera & Ballet plans to get the whole city dancing with “Heel Amsterdam Danst” (All of Amsterdam dances). And even at night, Amsterdam 750 will be celebrated, with a special program on nightlife, initiated by nightclubs Garage Noord, Kanaal 40, and RadioRadio. The Big Amsterdam Quiz, which has been played at 90 locations in recent weeks, will also return next year.
Smaller initiatives from foundations, associations, and individual Amsterdammers also enrich the offerings. From the XXXL Toy Exchange Fair to dancing with the oldest residents of the city at the Danspaleis (Dance Palace). From ‘Weesp wijkt uit’ (‘Weesp moves out’) to the neighborhood festival ‘Slotervaart maken we samen’ (‘Slotervaart together’). From an oral history project with 80-year-old Amsterdammers to a visual and auditory adventure organized by Jeugdland. Until September 2024, there are still opportunities to apply for subsidies from the Foundation Amsterdam 750. The foundation (‘Stichting Amsterdam 750’) organizes information sessions and application rounds for this purpose. More info: www.kadovoordestad.nl
A birthday city deserves a festive decoration. The ‘750 banner’ (Dutch: 750-slinger, developed by two Amsterdam creative agencies (Liebe Leute and Lowres Creative Studio), symbolizes a diverse city, unity, and, among other things, celebration. This design will be featured, among other places, on flags visible throughout the city, embodying the spirit of the Jubilee Year. It will also be made available to anyone who wishes to use it for festive decorations. Entrepreneurs can also use it to adorn their products, with the condition that a portion of the proceeds is donated to an Amsterdam-based charity. An online toolkit will be available from January via amsterdam750.nl.
In the coming time, more will be revealed about the program of events for the jubilee year. Follow us on Instagram and X (@amsterdam750).
