Events For Locals Calendar
Explore my curated events in Amsterdam & Haarlem each month. Because less is more ;)
ProefPark Haarlem
Haarlem’s ultimate food festival is back. ProefPark is your go-to for bites, drinks, and good vibes all weekend long.
Zomer in de Zaanen Festival
Zaanenpark transforms into the beating heart of Haarlem-Noord for one magical Saturday! Zomer in de Zaanen is the free neighbourhood festival for and by the community — 16 editions in and it just keeps getting better. Music, food, drinks, kids' activities, and good vibes from 2 PM until 11 PM.
Let's Meat Festival
The Slachthuisterrein is opening its doors in Haarlem on June 27 with a free neighbourhood party! Come explore the beautifully renovated former slaughterhouse, meet local businesses, and celebrate with your neighbours.
Rooftop Open Mic: Storytelling Night with TedX
Head up to Zoku's rooftop for a special storytelling edition of their open mic night — in collaboration with TEDxAmsterdam. The theme is 'Wrong Turn, Right Story', so expect seriously good tales, great views, and happy hour drinks from 5 PM. Free entry!
Harbourfestival Heemstede
One of the most charming summer events around Haarlem! The Harbourfestival Heemstede takes over the beautiful haven with live music, local food and drinks, and boats on the water all evening. It's got such a great relaxed vibe — perfect for a long summer evening out.
Spanish Bodega Pop-Up
A Spanish-inspired pop-up at Solotti with natural wines, tapas, and good vibes. Very much a Sunday afternoon kind of event — relaxed, social, and easy to stay longer than you planned. Worth checking out if you’re looking for something a bit different.
Colyn 10HRS
Colyn plays a 10-hour set at Thuishaven — one of Amsterdam’s best outdoor venues. It starts in the afternoon sun and goes well into the night, so pace yourself. Great lineup, great location, one of the better Saturdays of the summer.
Warm Hearts Midsummer 2026
Warm Hearts is one of those places where you instantly slow down. For Midsummer, they’re doing a special evening at the sauna — good for switching off, soaking some heat, and getting properly reset. Worth booking ahead if you know you want to go.
Haarlem Grachtenloop
Haarlem Grachtenloop is one of those evening runs that actually sounds fun — 5 or 10k along the canals, starting from De Koepel right in the centre of Haarlem. Good vibes, nice route, and it’s done in time for a late dinner.
Hannekes Boom Zomerfest
Summer has officially arrived at Hannekes Boom. This is their annual Zomerfest — an evening on the water with live music, drinks in hand, and that distinctly Amsterdam feeling that there’s nowhere else you’d rather be. It’s free to show up, so grab your friends and head down before it fills up.
Bite of Amsterdam
Bite of Amsterdam is back at Amstelpark for a full weekend of food. Think: top chefs, street food vendors, and a serious lineup of things to eat and drink across the park. Whether you go once or make it a whole weekend, it’s one of the better ways to spend a June afternoon in the city.
Schinkel District Block Party
The Schinkel district is taking over the street for one big summer block party. Think food, drinks, music, and the kind of neighbourhood energy that makes you feel like you actually live somewhere worth living. Head to Vliegtuigstraat 1 from 5 PM and see where the evening takes you.
Vokall Presents: Alain Clark, K.Zia & Toine
A proper Sunday afternoon moment. Alain Clark, K.Zia and Toine take the stage at the Vondelpark Openluchttheater for a free outdoor concert that’s basically peak Amsterdam summer. Bring a blanket, grab something cold to drink, and find your spot on the grass before it fills up — this one draws a crowd for good reason.
Gone Country: The Party
Dust off your boots and get your line dance on. Gone Country is bringing a full night of country music, dancing, and a proper honky-tonk atmosphere to Boom Chicago. Two sets, two vibes — show up early for the warm-up or roll in for the main event. Either way, dress the part and come ready to move.
Zoku Terrace Opening Party
It’s officially terrace season, and Zoku Amsterdam is kicking it off in style. Head up to one of the city’s best rooftops for an evening of live music, signature cocktails, and sunset views you won’t forget. Entry is free on a first-come, first-served basis, so get there early. Whether you’re in for a quick drink or the whole evening, this is the rooftop party the city’s been waiting for.
Veerplas Festival
A two-day lakeside festival with multiple stages, DJs, and summer vibes in Haarlem.
Open Coworking Day
Need a change of scenery? Klein Haarlem is opening its doors for a full day of open coworking — bring your laptop, grab a coffee, and get things done surrounded by other people actually doing the same. No excuses, no distractions, just a solid day’s work in a space that makes you want to show up.
Rise & Rave
Swap your morning commute for beats, coffee, and good vibes. Rise & Rave is a morning dance party at Oceans/Copper Branch that gets your day started the right way — with movement, music, and a crowd of people who’d rather dance than scroll. Show up, let loose, and head to work feeling like a completely different person.
Summer Borrel @ Ruby & Friend's Concept Store
Drinks, summer vibes, and a little shopping? Ruby & Friends is hosting the perfect Saturday borrel in Haarlem.
Haarlem City Taste
A culinary walking tour through Haarlem: 6 restaurants, 6 dishes, and perfectly paired drinks.
Vroeg Pieken
Vroeg Pieken: Early Party, No Regrets
Love a good night out, but not the 3am hangover? Vroeg Pieken is your perfect middle ground.
This feel-good party lands at Locael Haarlem and flips the usual nightlife schedule on its head. Instead of waiting until midnight, you’ll hit the dancefloor from 20:00 and be home (and in bed) by 00:30, ideal if you still want your Sunday.
Expect a mix of everything you actually want to dance to: from disco and pop to funk and hip hop. There’s no genre rules, just good vibes. Even better, you can submit your own favourite track beforehand, so there’s a real chance your song makes it onto the dancefloor.
Think confetti, nostalgic hits, and a crowd that’s there to actually dance. Whether you’re starting your weekend or just want a fun night without going full nocturnal, this is one of those low-effort, high-fun plans.
Thuishaven Zomeropening
A daytime house music party marking the start of summer at Thuishaven’s open-air dancefloor.
CABINET Curated Curiosa & Design Market
Vintage, design, and good vibes: CABINET is your go-to weekend market in Amsterdam.
Houtbar Summer Opening
A laid-back DJ night with disco, house, and techno at creative hotspot Houtbaar in Haarlem.
Live Resort
Wander through Volkshotel and discover live music on every floor during this one-day mini festival.
Reliving Pop-Up
A huge interior pop-up with vintage finds, design pieces, and home accessories across 1,000m².
Thuishaven Paasweekender
An Easter Saturday electronic music party with trance, hard house, and back-to-back DJ sets from 13:00–23:00.
DGTL
A massive electronic music festival with 80+ DJs, immersive stages, and house and techno at NDSM Docklands.
Chao Brunch: Saint Tropez
A Saint-Tropez style brunch that starts with à la carte dining and ends on the dancefloor: sax, beats, and serious Sunday energy included.
CABINET
A curated vintage and design market with art, furniture, and unique finds in Amsterdam’s Centrale Markthal.
Amsterdam Wine Festival
A four-day wine celebration at Kromhouthal where you can sip 300+ global wines, enjoy tasty food pairings, and level up your wine knowledge.