5 Best Performing Arts Venues in Amsterdam, Netherlands

The city's official website is a one-stop guide to all that's happening in Amsterdam and will link you to the cultural venues where you can purchase tickets.

After burning down and being rebuilt several more times, the current Neo-Renaissance facade that dominates Leidseplein, with its lushly baroque-style horseshoe interior, was created in 1894. Dutch theater is dynamic, strongly physical and visual, often with a hilarious, absurdest sense. Although the majority of the programming is in Dutch, there’s also a constant stream of visiting theater and dance companies plus, a selection of English-language performances and subtitled screenings. In 2018, the historic Amsterdam Stadsschouwburg merged with Toneelgroep Amsterdam to create the newly formed Internationaal Theater Amsterdam.

Although increasingly focused on commercial and large-scale musicals, this former circus theater (that still houses the annual World Christmas Circus) also schedules acclaimed Eastern European ballet and opera companies. International stars can be seen, too: Tom Waits, Idina Menzel, Dionne Warwick, and David Sedaris have all performed here.

Step back in time and catch a flick at one of Amsterdam's oldest cinemas. In operation since 1912, it now includes three additional screening rooms, each decorated with classic Art Deco ambience that perfectly sets the stage for art-house, indie, and international flicks.

This globally acclaimed concert hall has been home to the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, one of the world's greatest, since 1888, and has welcomed an endless stream of top international artists. With a Viennese classicist facade and golden lyre at its peak, this sumptuous example of Neo-Renaissance style, designed by A. L. van Gendt, is a music mecca to more than 700,000 visitors per year. There are three concert halls (each with its own entrance), and you can attend a free lunchtime concert in one of them (usually Wednesday, September through June) while taking in the atmosphere.