Once in every five years Amsterdam harbor — one of Europe’s busiest ports — become the backdrop for one of the largest maritime manifestations in the world: SAIL

For five days, from August 19th through August 23rd, the whole IJ (pronounced as: Ay) harbor behind Amsterdam’s Central Station will be filled with music, culture and some 600 boats, including many historic vessels and a huge number of impressive tall ships from all over the world. »

If you see an unusual amount of pink in Amsterdam these days you could be forgiven for thinking it’s in honor of one this city’s gay and lesbian events. But you’d be mistaken.

Amsterdam this year is the starting point for the Giro d’Italia — Italy’s equivalent of the Tour de France. »

Amsterdam’s first Christmas boat parade is just around the corner: this Christmas Eve join locals and tourists alike to view a parade of decorated boats against the backdrop of Amsterdam’s beautiful canals. »

Buy art at affordable prices, pay a midnight visit to a museum, or celebrate the fact that Amsterdam is the world’s largest cocoa harbor by indulging in the Chocolate Festival.

Then there is the largest documentary film festival in the world, as well as the annual arrival of the orginal St. Nicholas. »

Amsterdam’s classical music season for 2009 will kick off with the Grachtenfestival [Canals Festival] that this year takes place from August 15th through August 23rd.

As always the Prinsengracht concert — performed on a pontoon surrounded by hundreds of pleasure craft and with thousands of people lining the canal and its bridges — is the highlight of the festival »

In Amsterdam, 500,000 people turned out for the city’s 13th annual Gay Pride canal parade.

A record eighty boats carried thousands of gays and lesbians clad in scanty or extravagant clothing through the city’s historic centre. »

Nowadays many cities throughout the world have a gay pride parade, but keen observers agree: there’s nothing quite like Amsterdam’s Gay Pride Canal Parade.

Last year half a million people lined the canals and bridges to view the lengthy parade of, er, gayly decorated party boats. »

Amsterdam, City of Jazz. The IJazz — jazz at the northern shores of the IJ river — Festival is intended to put Amsterdam back on the international jazz map. Great idea! 5 unique locations at the former NDSM ship wharf. Concerts at free of charge. »

The Roots festival is a veritable celebration of world music and culture and there are rhythms to be heard from every corner of the world. »

Amsterdam Gay Pride 2008 will take place from 31 July to 3 August 2008 under the slogan, ‘We are Amsterdam Pride’. The highlight of Amsterdam Pride will continue to be the illustrious Canal Parade. »

Queen’s Day is Amsterdam’s alternative to carnival. Here are some tips on how and where to celebrate it. »

Enjoy the 10th Anniversary of the Canals Festival, and the 26th edition of the Prinsengracht Concert. »

“Pluk de Nacht” (Seize the Night) is an annual outdoor film festival held at the Stenen Hoofd, a man-made beach near Amsterdam Central Station »

Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and a large contingent of heterosexuals put on their brightest plumage Saturday, and a rainbow fleet sailed through Amsterdam’s historic canals, as the city celebrated its annual Gay Pride festival. »

The Holland Festival is Holland’s largest performing arts festival. It features a wide selection of national and international theatre, musical theatre, music and modern dance productions. »

The launch of the 2007 World Press Photo tour will take place on April 24, in the Oude Kerk (Old Church) in Amsterdam. »

Spencer Tunick captures nude figures through film and video, with public space as his decor. On June 3, 2007, he will shoot an installation in Amsterdam. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of naked men and women will spill into some of the Amsterdam streets and squares. »

Details about Amsterdam’s 2nd Annual Open Day in the Red Light District. »

All through 2007 people visiting Amsterdam will be able to enjoy a swinging music and dance party organised in the context of the 2007 Amsterdam – Feel the Rhythm tourist theme year. »

The Amsterdam Dance Event is the biggest club festival in the world with 300 international DJs and artists in more than 30 venues. »

On Sunday 15 October 2006, Amsterdam offers the 31st ING Amsterdam Marathon, a sports event with international allure, with probably over 20,000 athletes from more than fifty countries. »

Seven Bridges Jazz Festival in Amsterdam »

Uitmarkt 2006, the Netherlands’ largest cultural open air event, will take place from 25 through 31 August 2006. For the first time in many years, it will be held in Amsterdam’s city centre, in theatres, concert halls and open air stages between Dam square, Nieuwmarkt and Waterlooplein. »

In nine years, the Grachtenfestival in Amsterdam has developed into one of the world’s most extraordinary music festivals. The basis of the Grachtenfestival is classical music at unique locations along the canals in Amsterdam, such as historic canalside houses, courtyards and other locations with unusual cultural-historical value. Renowned solo artists and ensembles in unprecedented combinations in exclusive performances. »

On 19 and 20 August 2006, Zeedijk once again celebrates the traditional ‘Hartjesdagen’. This originally medieval national holiday has recently developed into an Amsterdam carnival that draws thousands of visitors each year. An exuberant street gathering that turns the entire Zeedijk upside down and where the men become women and vice versa. »