Keep track of the best live music and dance performances in the Netherlands.

On this page:

 

• Classical
• Dance
• Opera
• Music
• Hot Tickets

NEW EVENTS

Note that tickets to concerts at the Concertgebouw are also be valid for free travel on GVB buses, metros and trams in Amsterdam up to three hours prior to the performance and up to four hours after the closing time (with the exception of GVB night buses).

17 December

Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw
Concertgebouw, Concertgebouwplein 2-6 (Tel: 020 671 8345)
Online: www.concertgebouw.nl
Time: 8.15pm; Price tbc

This special jazzed-up Christmas edition features British jazz singer and keyboard player George Fame who has no less than 14 hits to his name.

19, 20, 21, 23 December

Mariss Jansons
Concertgebouw, Concertgebouwplein 2-6 (Tel: 020 671 8345)
Online: www.concertgebouw.nl
Time: 8.15pm (2.15pm 23 Dec); Price tbc

Janson ones more conducts the resident orchestra, this time in a repertoire of Beethoven, Dvorák and Von Weber. Catch the rehearsal at the free lunch concert on the 19th.

23 December

Choir of the King's Consort
Concertgebouw, Concertgebouwplein 2-6 (Tel: 020 671 8345)
Online: www.concertgebouw.nl
Time: 7.30pm; Price tbc

Matthew Halls conducts the famous English choir in Handel's most loved oratorio, Messiah. Featuring Lucy Crowe (soprano), Hilary Summers (alto), James Gilchrist (tenor) and Andrew Foster-Williams (bass-baritone).

25 December

Mariss Jansons
Concertgebouw, Concertgebouwplein 2-6 (Tel: 020 671 8345)
Online: www.concertgebouw.nl
Time: 3pm; Price tbc

The traditional Christmas matinee with Janson conducting his charges in works by Dvorák and Mahler. Featured soloist is baritone Thomas Hampson.

31 December

Nederlands Blazers Ensemble
Concertgebouw, Concertgebouwplein 2-6 (Tel: 020 671 8345)
Online: www.concertgebouw.nl
Time: 3pm; Price tbc

The Dutch Wind Ensemble's general rehearsal before their concert tomorrow (see below).

1 January

Nederlands Blazers Ensemble: New Year's Concert
Concertgebouw, Concertgebouwplein 2-6 (Tel: 020 671 8345)
Online: www.concertgebouw.nl
Time: 1.15pm; Price tbc

Annually the Dutch Wind Ensemble blow in the New Year with their irreverent concert. Highly popular so get tickets early.

DIVERSE LOCATIONS

Every Wednesday

Lunch Concert
Concertgebouw, Concertgebouwplein 2-6 (Tel: 020 671 8345)
Online: www.concertgebouw.nl
Time: 12.30pm; Price: free

The hugely popular free, weekly lunch concerts with an informal atmosphere last approximately 30 minutes and are always popular (queue early). Concerts usually take place in the upstairs Kleine Zaal and feature chamber music ensembles or opera singers accompanied on piano. Occasionally, recitals take place in the main auditorium and are sneak previews of concerts taking place that night (you might be lucky enough to see the resident orchestra and guest conductor warming up). 

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 Every first Wednesday of the month

MusicMind?
Sugar Factory, Lijnbaansgracht  238 (Tel: 020 428 4600)
Online: www.sugarfactory.nl
Time: 8pm (doors open 6.30pm)-11pm; Price: EUR 15 (per team), EUR 5 (per non-playing person in the audience)

A brand new music quiz held every first Wednesday of the month.  For teams up to five people. Prizes include EUR 100 or free-entrance to the Sugar Factory for a month.

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18 -23  December

Riverdance
Heineken Music Hall, ArenA Boulevard 590 (Tel: 020 311 3871)
Online: www.heinekenmusichall.nl
Time: 8pm (also 2.30pm 22 Dec); Price: EUR 49-65

The infamous Irish dance show celebrates 10 years of existence. 

26 December 2007 to 1 January 2008

The Nutcracker, A Fairy-Like Ballet in the Hague
Grote Kerk, The Hague
Tel: 0900 8282 999
Online: www.notenkraker.nu
Price: Adults EUR 25
Children until 12 years EUR 15

The Nutcracker, including the enchanting music by Tsjaikovsky, will be performed in the magical ambiance of the Grote Kerk in The Hague. The original story about Clara and her toy figures that come to life, is adapted to reflect the city of The Hague.

20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31 December, 1 January

The Sleeping Beauty
Het Muziektheater, Amstel 3 (Tel: 020 625 5455)
Online: www.muziektheater.nl
Time: 8pm (2pm 16, 24, 25, 27, 30, 31 Dec; 1 Jan); Price: EUR 22.50-52.50 (EUR 17.50-47.50)

The Dutch National Ballet perform Tchaikovsky's classic fairytale ballet about a princess who pricks herself on a spindle. This was the second ballet the Russian composer wrote following his initial disaster with Swan Lake; this time he was guided through it by choreographer Marius Petipa. The music is performed by the Holland Symfonia, conducted by Ermanno Florio.

20 December - 6 January

The Greatest Swan Lake in the World
RAI, Europaplein 22 (Tel 0900 3311 333)
Online: www.rai.nl
Time: 3pm + 8pm; Price: EUR 29-59

More swans than you could shake a feather at appear in this mega-production of the ballet classic, performed by Russia's Tchaikovsky Perm Ballet and accompanied by the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra.

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19, 23, 26, 29 December

Daphne
Het Muziektheater, Amstel 3 (Tel: 020 625 5455)
Online: www.muziektheater.nl
Time: 8pm (1.30pm 9, 23, 26 Dec); Price: EUR 30-105 (EUR 15-90)

The Dutch Opera perform Daphne by Richard Strauss which premiered in 1938. Inspired by Greek mythology, it tells the story of the shy adolescent Daphne who, in order to escape from all the conflict and men who are courting her, is transformed into a laurel tree. Accompanied by the Dutch Philharmonic Orchestra and chorus. 

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