Landjuweel – In the village of Ruigoord on the outskirts of Amsterdam, they hold an annual 4-day arts festival where the residents of this squatted settlement and likeminded outsiders come together in the name of peace and environmentalism and such. This has more than a little in common with Christiania in Copenhagen, so expect plenty of counter-culture types. The village is about 8 km west of the city center, and is reachable on public transportation. The highlight centers around a midnight parade on the night of the full moon. The 2009 dates are August 6 through 9 with the full moon on August 6.
Hartjesdag (Heart Day) – Third weekend in August – This annual cross-dressing festival has historic origins and was revived in Amsterdam in 1999. There are certainly gay and lesbian participants, but anyone who wants to take a go at cross-dressing is welcome at this event that is centered in the Red Light District area.
Uitmarkt – Last weekend in August – Just before the “cultural season” reopens for the year, this weekend serves as a free preview for singers, dance, theater groups, and anyone else who might fit on a stage. The biggest events are in Leidseplein, Museumplein, and the Nieuwmarkt area next to the Red Light District. There are outdoor performances and booths selling and promoting things all over on this very popular and crowded weekend in the city. The 2009 dates are August 28-30.
Summer in Amsterdam is generally pleasant, but never scorching, and often even a bit gloomy. It can be sunny and wonderful most of August, or it can be gray and drizzly just as easily. The highest temperature ever recorded in the city is 93°F/33°C and it happened in August, but heat in that range is very rare indeed.
Avg. high 70°F/21°C
Avg. low 55°F/12°C
Avg. precipitation 2.4 inches/ 6 cm
With any luck you can get by in t-shirts, shorts and sandals during the day, but it’s wise to pack a light jacket because most evenings are quite cool.
Finding a cheap flight to Amsterdam in August is never easy. Airfares are still at their summer peak for transatlantic flights, and people flying themselves all over Europe during the month makes the situation even more difficult, especially at the beginning and end of August. Fare sales do pop up for this period once in a while, but they tend to be announced in late June or July, so it’s a gamble, and one that usually backfires if you are waiting on prices to actually drop before you buy.
Unsurprisingly, the hostels in Amsterdam are quite jammed all month, and they are at their peak summer rates of course too. The best advice is to book early since hostels tend not to have flexible pricing and many of them do sell out early. The Amsterdam hotel scene during August can be challenging as well. Most budget hotels tend to be full and at their peak prices, but since this is a very slow month in the business community it’s possible to find a 3-star or a 4-star hotel that has a special going. It’s definitely worth looking a bit up-market for deals before you book a basic place.
Return to the Amsterdamlogue home page to see the latest Amsterdam articles
