Amsterdam Marks 750th Anniversary With Epic Car-Free Highway Festival

Forbes

15-07-2025

Amsterdam750 on the Ring highway June 21, 2025 Paul Allen/Andfotography2
Amsterdam has been celebrating 750 years of officially being a city since October 2024. In 1275, the city began its transformation from a small fishing village to a major trading destination. The birthday festivities include a wide range of events, from neighborhood festivals, the closure of the A10 ring road and a grand parade of tall ships culminating in a big party on the actual anniversary date of October 27, 2025. The highway festival already happened on summer solstace but there's plenty more happening between now and October. Here are a few suggestions of activities, places to stay and where to eat and drink, including some lesser known gems during Amsterdam750.
Wedding on the Ring Paul Allen/Andfotography2
June 21, 2025 was a major highlight of Amsterdam's year-long 750th birthday celebrations. In an historical one-off event, the city closed 15 kilometers of the Ring highway (the A10) to cars.
Brotherhood brass band, on the Ring, Amsterdam750 Paul Allen/Andfotography2
The pedestrian-only extravaganza featured music, sports, theater, dance and games (including an impressive number of tables with speed chess), spread over three zones on and around the Ring. Twenty couples even got married on the Ring, with one ceremony officiated by the Mayor of Amsterdam.
Amsterdam-based singer songwriter Lorren Paul Allen/Andfotography2
Musical highlights along the highway included the soulful songs of Amsterdam-based singer songwriter Lorren, Brotherhood a brass band bursting with vibrant energy and the brass ensemble from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, founded in 1888.
DJ Mas Amor at Amsterdam750 Paul Allen/Andfotography2
And, under the bridge, non-stop, back-to-back DJ sets from the top names in Dutch electronic music like Mas Amor, created an all-day rave. Right beside the rave, women were competitive weightlifting and further up the highway, was a forest of 750 large trees and 7500 small ones: replanted in and around the city after the Ring event. Holland Festival
Holland Festival Paul Allen/Andfotography2
Running alongside the Ring festival was the 78th Holland Festival, an annual three weeks of performing arts from all over the world including music, dance, theatre, opera, visual arts and film. One of the highlights was performances by Trajal Harrell, a well-known American choreographer who combines elements from various dance traditions, fashion, music and visual arts. His beautiful meditative modern dance meets Japanese butoh piece, Welcome to Asbestos Hall, was inspired by Tatsumi Hijikata's original Asbestos Studio, a 1960s Tokyo experimental arts space. See Amsterdam from a Rooftop
View from the rooftop of new Church, Amsterdam Paul Allen/Andfotography2
The spire on the roof of De Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) in central Amsterdam is being restored so to offset the cost, a large platform has been placed on the roof and as part of 750 years of Amsterdam, the public can pay for the unique opportunity to climb up 216 stairs and enjoy panoramic views of the city. The climb upwards starts in the 17th century stairwell of De Nieuwe Kerk and continues up the temporary scaffolding. The 'Roof of the City' is open daily until November 2, 2025 at a cost of €15.00 or free to visit with a Museum Pass.
Science and Technology Museum NEMO on Oosterdok, Amsterdam getty
For another brilliant terrace experience, the Renzo Piano designed Nemo Science Museum has a new open green, sustainable rooftop open to the public that doesn't require entrance to the museum. Of course the museum is worth a visit too for its fun and engaging, interactive science and technology exhibits. Where to Stay, Eat and Drink
Flagship Amsterdam saloon boat Paul Allen/Andfotography2
For a great overview of the city, have lunch on a canal boat. A private charter of a historic saloon boat with Flagship Amsterdam will take you down some of the smaller, pretty canals as well as past major sights like the Maritime Museum, the Anne Frank House and the Golden Bend. Board from Oosterdokskade 8, near the Central Station.
Volkshotel rooftop, Amsterdam Volkshotel
Volkshotel Amsterdam, in the eastern part of the city right beside Wibautstraat metro, is a fun place to stay, with Canvas restaurant and terrace on the 7th floor for breakfast and lively DJ sessions in the evenings. And on the 8th floor roof, guests can enjoy a sauna and hottubs. Once the headquarters for De Volkskrant newspaper, it now now has 216 modern hotel rooms, ranging from cozy hideouts to larger spaces.
A Beautiful Mess, overlooking the IJ River serving tasty Middle Eastern cuisine, is a wonderful hospitality concept. It's staffed entirely by refugees from everywhere, under the management of Refugee Company who offer paid jobs and volunteer work in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Arnhem.
Bunk Hotel, in the former Saint Rita church in Amsterdam north, offers an economical accommodation option with single and double sleeping pods and shared bathrooms. The convivial restaurant has a menu featuring local, seasonal ingredients prepared traditionally: smoked, cured, pickled, marinated and stewed.
Hotel Casa, Amsterdam Paul Allen/Andfotography2
The rooftop terrace, GAPP, on the 8th floor at Hotel Casa is a lovely rooftop garden with great cocktails, cold beer (choose from over 30 local craft beers) and some proper Amsterdam-style snacks.
Cafe Hesp, a canal-side restaurant, with an outdoor terrace on the Amstel river is great for lunch on a sunny day, small plates, salads, sandwiches. You can even go for a swim right in front of the terrace.
Welcoming the herring party at Cafe Flamingo, Amsterdam Jessica Hartley
Cafe Flamingo on Albert Cuyp market is in the trendy De Pijp neighborhood, located in the south part of the city, right below the city center. If you're there in June, be sure to go to a unique Dutch party that celebrates the new Herring with plenty of fish samples and a lethal Dutch liqueur.
Vergulden Eenhoorn, a restaurant in a beautiful, hidden garden with a lovely outdoor terrace, an ideal spot for drinks. This old city farm from 1702 is located in the middle of the greenery at Ringdijk 58 and includes a café, restaurant and hotel.