Amsterdam in March 2026: Best Exhibitions, Festivals, Markets & Cultural Events
- Inbal Tur-Shalom ענבל טור-שלום
- 9 hours ago
- 8 min read
Spring begins to awaken in Amsterdam. Days grow longer, the air becomes milder, and the first flowers begin to bloom across the Netherlands. March also marks the opening of the world-famous tulip gardens and the start of one of the most vibrant cultural seasons in the city.
If you're planning a trip to Amsterdam in March 2026, you'll find a city buzzing with art exhibitions, markets, music performances, festivals, and cultural experiences.
Whether you love fine art, wine, food, photography, or spring flowers, Amsterdam offers something memorable this month.
Keukenhof Gardens – The Most Beautiful Spring Garden in the World
One of the most spectacular seasonal attractions in the Netherlands, the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens opens its gates for just a short time every year.
Located about 40 minutes from Amsterdam, the gardens feature millions of blooming tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other spring flowers, along with lakes, tree-lined paths, pavilions, and stunning floral displays.
While tulip season peaks in April, visiting in late March can actually be ideal, as the gardens are less crowded and many early spring flowers are already blooming.
2026 Opening Dates:
📅 March 19 – May 10, 2026
Best Times to Visit
From years of experience guiding visitors, the best times are:
Early morning (right after opening)
Late afternoon before closing
These times help avoid the largest tour crowds.
How to Get There
By Car
If driving, I strongly recommend purchasing tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line.
🎟️ Buy Keukenhof tickets (optional - including parking)
By Public Transport
🎟️ Buy Keukenhof entrance tickets (no transport and parking)
👉 If you're planning to explore using trains and buses, read: How to Use Public Transportation in the Netherlands
By Dedicated Shuttle (Easiest Option)
Shuttles run directly from several locations in Amsterdam and one location in Rotterdam. Seats fill quickly, so booking in advance is recommended.
Make It a Full Day Trip
Many travelers combine Keukenhof with other classic Dutch experiences such as:
• Visiting tulip farms
• A boat cruise past traditional windmills
• Exploring the historic city of Delft
👉If you'd like help planning a private Keukenhof and countryside tour, feel free to contact me.
Best Museums and Art Exhibitions in Amsterdam (March 2026)
Amsterdam is one of Europe’s great museum cities. Here are some of the most interesting exhibitions and cultural experiences happening in March 2026.
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands, is dedicated to Dutch art and history.
Located on Museum Square, it displays more than 8,000 artworks and historical objects, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer and Frans Hals.
Temporary Exhibition
Metamorphosis – Passion, Desire, Envy, and Deception
Inspired by the ancient Roman poet Ovid’s Metamorphoses, this exhibition explores one of the greatest sources of artistic inspiration in Western art.
Another exhibition explores photographic forgeries and manipulated images from the early days of photography.
📅 Exhibition dates: February 6 – May 25
Van Gogh Museum
Dedicated to Vincent van Gogh, this museum holds the largest collection of his paintings and drawings in the world. It also showcases works by artists who influenced him or were influenced by him.
Temporary Exhibition
Yellow – Van Gogh’s Favorite Color
This fascinating exhibition explores the importance of yellow in Van Gogh’s work and in the art of his contemporaries, as well as how the color is used in modern art today.
📅 February 13 – May 17, 2026
Stedelijk Museum
Amsterdam’s museum of modern and contemporary art and design, covering works from the late 19th century to the present. Artists featured in the permanent collection include Piet Mondrian, Kazimir Malevich and Karel Appel.
Temporary Exhibition
Erwin Olaf – Freedom
A retrospective dedicated to the celebrated Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf, who passed away in 2023.
📅 October 11, 2025 – April 6, 2026
H’ART Museum (Former Hermitage Amsterdam)
This museum hosts rotating international exhibitions.
Current Exhibitions
Jan Dibbets – Toward Another Photography
A monographic exhibition of the conceptual Dutch artist’s work from 1966–1976.
📅 January 23 – April 5, 2026
American Identities – Myth and Memory
Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian American Art Museum, featuring photography by David Levinthal exploring American cultural myths.
📅 February 13 – September 6, 2026
Rembrandt House Museum
Step inside the house where Rembrandt lived and worked during the height of his fame in the Dutch Golden Age.
Visitors can explore:
Rembrandt’s reconstructed studio
Etchings and drawings
Works by his students
Temporary Exhibition
Rembrandt’s Masterclass
An interactive exhibition exploring Rembrandt’s artistic techniques.
Foam Photography Museum
One of Europe’s leading photography museums, Foam presents four rotating exhibitions at a time, featuring both emerging and internationally known photographers.
National Maritime Museum
A fascinating museum dedicated to Dutch maritime history.
Highlights include:
historic maps
ship models
maritime artifacts
a full replica of a Dutch East India Company ship
Temporary Exhibition
Oceanista – Fashion & The Sea
An exhibition connecting maritime history, contemporary fashion, and sustainability.
📅 October 10, 2025 – April 12, 2026
Royal Palace Amsterdam (Dam Square)
Still used by the Dutch Royal Family for official state events, this magnificent 17th-century palace is open to visitors when not in official use.
Nieuwe Kerk (The New Church)
Temporary Exhibition
Mokum – The Story of Jewish Amsterdam
Created in cooperation with the Jewish Cultural Quarter, this exhibition explores the rich and complex history of Jewish life in Amsterdam.
📅 October 25, 2025 – April 6, 2026
Museum of the Canals
An interactive museum located inside a 17th-century canal house, telling the story of how Amsterdam’s iconic canal ring was built.
Temporary Exhibition
Amsterdam, Almost Demolished
Explores a little-known moment when Amsterdam’s historic center nearly disappeared due to modern redevelopment plans.
📅 November 28, 2025 – March 29, 2026
Eye Filmmuseum
Amsterdam’s stunning museum of film and cinema.
Temporary Exhibition
Dedicated to acclaimed artist and actor Tilda Swinton
📅 Until March 15, 2026
Festivals Hosted Here
Kaboom Animation Festival
📅 March 19–22, 2026
Cinedans International Dance on Screen Festival
📅 March 25–29, 2026
Unique Attractions to Visit in Amsterdam
If you’re looking for something beyond traditional museums:
Body Worlds Amsterdam
A fascinating exhibition exploring the human body using preserved anatomical specimens.
STRAAT Museum – Street Art
The largest street art museum in the world, located in a former shipyard warehouse.
Moco Museum
A popular museum showcasing works by artists such as:
Banksy
Andy Warhol
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Yayoi Kusama
Banksy Museum Amsterdam
A newer museum dedicated to the mysterious British street artist Banksy, featuring over 160 artworks and recreated murals.
Family-Friendly Attractions in Amsterdam
(Great for Visiting with kids or Grandkids especially on a rainy day)
Video Art Experience: From Vermeer to Van Gogh
This immersive video art exhibition brings to life the masterpieces of the great Dutch painters, projecting their most famous works in a stunning multi-sensory experience.
Visitors can walk through a visual journey that highlights the artistic genius of painters such as Vermeer and Van Gogh.
📅 Ongoing exhibition
Rembrandt Immersive Experience
Located not far from Leidseplein, this multimedia exhibition explores the life and artistic world of Rembrandt van Rijn, one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age.
The experience includes an immersive video installation and a reconstruction of Rembrandt’s studio on the Rozengracht, offering visitors a glimpse into his creative process.
📅 Ongoing exhibition
Nxt Museum – Digital & Media Art
The Nxt Museum is the Netherlands’ first museum dedicated entirely to new media art.
This innovative museum blends art, technology, light installations, and digital storytelling, creating a fascinating experience that appeals to both art lovers and younger visitors.
Expect immersive video installations, light projections, and interactive exhibits that explore the intersection between creativity and technology.
Amaze Amsterdam
Located in a former industrial nightclub in Amsterdam’s western harbor district, Amaze Amsterdam is a fully immersive audio-visual experience.
The attraction spans 3,000 square meters and eight different stages, combining music, light, visual art, and interactive environments designed to stimulate the senses.
The experience lasts about an hour and moves visitors through a series of unique sensory environments — from energetic and playful to calming and atmospheric.
WONDR Experience
A colorful and playful immersive attraction featuring 15 themed rooms designed for fun and creativity.
Visitors can explore rooms filled with disco balls, oversized installations, a life-size dollhouse, and playful karaoke booths.
It’s an especially enjoyable stop for families traveling with children or teenagers, and it’s one of Amsterdam’s most entertaining interactive experiences.
The Upside Down Museum Amsterdam
One of Amsterdam’s largest interactive museums, designed around optical illusions and surreal environments.
The museum features upside-down rooms, playful installations, and visually striking spaces that invite visitors to explore and take memorable photos.
It’s a lighthearted and entertaining experience that appeals to visitors of all ages.
👉 You may also enjoy reading: Amsterdam with Kids and Teens – Family Travel Guide
Festivals, Performances & Art Fairs – March 2026
Amsterdam Wine Festival
A celebration of wine featuring more than 300 wines, tastings, workshops, and live music.
📍 Kromhouthal, Amsterdam📅 March 26–29, 2026
Vegas Show & Dinner Experience
A spectacular dinner show featuring Dutch illusionist Hans Klok, live music, and dance performances.
📅 Weekends (tickets sell out quickly)
NockNock Art Fair
An international art and design fair featuring around 120 emerging and established artists. Visitors can meet the artists and participate in interactive workshops.
📍 Westergas Amsterdam📅 March 5–8, 2026
National Restaurant Week
During the period of the festival, hundreds of top restaurants, including Michelin-starred establishments, offer exclusive three-course menus for a reduced price of €29.95. It's a great opportunity to dine at a premium location for an affordable price.
📅 March 1–April 12, 2026
💡 Pro tip: Top restaurants are fully booked in advance , so make sure to book your spot way ahead of time.
Best Weekend Markets in Amsterdam – March 2026
Pure Markt
A high-quality food market featuring some of the best artisanal food producers in the Netherlands.
📍 Frankendael Park
📅 March 29, 2026
🕚 11:00–18:00
IJ-Hallen Flea Market
One of the largest flea markets in Europe, with hundreds of stalls selling vintage items, antiques, clothing, and collectibles.
📍 Amsterdam Noord
📅 March 7–8, 2026
🕚 09:00–16:30
Sunday Market
A lively market selling fashion, jewelry, design, art, and food.
📅 March 1 – Westergas
📅 March 29 – Rokin
🕚 12:00–18:00
Museumplein Market
A charming Sunday market offering art, handmade goods, food, and live music.
📅 March 15, 2026
🕚 10:00–18:00
Planning a Trip to Amsterdam?
If you're visiting Amsterdam in March and want to experience the Netherlands beyond the typical tourist itinerary, I offer:
✔️ Private guided tours in Amsterdam
✔️ Museum tours led by a licensed guide
✔️ Custom travel itinerary planning
✔️ Private countryside day trips
These experiences are especially popular during tulip season.
A quick note: bookings made through the link earn me a small commission. Thank you for the support 🫶🏼
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