There's always something fun to do in Amsterdam, but what about December 2025? Check out our latest cultural tips here. My name is Annabelle Hinam. I am 28 years old, born and raised in Amsterdam. I graduated from the theater academy in Utrecht in July 2021 and currently work as an actor, writer, voice-over artist, and cook. Besides working in the cultural sector (and not just in the theater world), I also enjoy visiting other forms of art. Museums, films, exhibitions, local neighborhood initiatives, and more. I write a series of tips every month that I think are worth visiting. Questions or tips? Email me! You can do so via: hinamannabelle@gmail.com. At the bottom of my tip is always the website and/or Instagram of the place for more information.
Museums and exhibitions
Nederland, word beter – Amsterdam Museum (locatie: Beautiful Distress) (t/m 2 februari 2026)
In 2010, a group of Dutch people came together who have a common goal: a Netherlands without anti-Black racism. This group eventually becomes Nederland Wordt Beter with three clear points on the agenda: an inclusive Sinterklaas celebration, a national commemoration of the slavery past and structural education in schools about the colonial past and slavery past. In this exhibition (in collaboration with Nederland Wordt Beter) you will be taken along the highs and lows, the efforts, the lessons and the bottlenecks of the past fifteen years. Website & tickets: Tickets
Made in China – Wereldmuseum Amsterdam (t/m 31 december)
The label Made in China is familiar to everyone. The country has a gigantic history of making things. Porcelain, silk, lacquer, glass and of course clothing (specifically fast fashion in our current time). Over the centuries, various craftsmen, artists and designers from China have put their precision into all these different forms of work. In this exhibition you will be taken into the rich manufacturing history of China, from incredibly old storage jars to interactive maps about the Silk Routes. A wonderful insight into the country that is catching up with us in all areas.
Website & tickets: Tickets
And don't be late for these ongoing exhibitions!
Tilda Swinton, Ongoing – Eye Filmmuseum (until February 18, 2026)
In this personal exhibition, Scottish actor Tilda Swinton showcases all her various creative collaborations. Among others, Luca Guadagnino, Tim Walker, Pedro Almodóvar, and Joanna Hogg are featured. What is special about this exhibition is that Eye has never before focused so extensively on the creative influence of an actor, and Swinton is the perfect person to kick off this (perhaps new tradition?). It is diverse, challenging, original, and inspiring.
Website & tickets: Tickets
Kusukazu Uraguchi, Shima no Ama – Huis Marseille (October 18 to February 8)
In serene black and white images, Kusukazu Uraguchi brings the ama to life: Japanese female divers who have made their living from the sea for generations. Their rhythm, strength, and connection to the water are palpable in every photograph. An intimate portrait of tradition and transience, beautifully displayed in the rooms of Huis Marseille.
Website & tickets: www.huismarseille.nl
IN SITU #1, Nora Turato: I HEAR YOU, I HEAR YOU – Stedelijk Museum (ongoing)
The mezzanine of the Stedelijk's New build features a massive 'in-between space.' The Stedelijk has commissioned a group of young artists to experiment in this space. Nora Turato is the first artist to kick off IN SITU. Her work includes video and sound installations that explore our relationship with language.
Website & tickets: www,stedelijk.nl
Theater, dance, opera
Het Proces, Jessie L’Herminez/Toneelschuur Producties – Frascati (December 2 and 3)
In Jessie L’Herminez's alienating, absurdist performance, the actors are gatekeepers to another reality: that of the theater, the law, and the unspeakable. As an audience member, you become increasingly alienated in this Kafkaesque world. The text is written by Vincent van der Valk. L’Herminez and van der Valk have adapted Kafka's masterpiece into a tragicomic, mysterious piece where the viewer is constantly kept off balance. Allow yourself to be surprised and carried away on this playful trip.
Website & tickets: Tickets
Zachtop Lachen, Kobra Theaterproducties ism Het Nationale Theater – DeLaMar Theater (December 3 and 4)
This performance is based on the book of the same name, Zachtop Lachen. We follow Malou (played by Emma Buysse), a young woman with a dark sense of humor who suddenly no longer dares to be in traffic. In this performance, the central question is why Malou has suddenly fallen silent. Her therapist (played by Kees Hulst) slowly unravels with her what is hidden behind her silence. Topics such as intergenerational trauma, patient in denial, and family traditions are addressed in this moving story.
Website & tickets: Tickets
I Capuleti e I Montecchi, Vincenzo Bellini – Dutch National Opera – Dutch National Opera and Ballet (December 7 to 28)
Everyone knows the story of the Capulets and Montagues, Romeo and Juliet. However, this production offers a fresh perspective. The bel canto music of composer Vincenzo Bellini takes center stage in this passionate tragedy. Bellini based this new opera on older Italian sources rather than Shakespeare's version. Directed and staged by Taatjana Gürbaca, the production emphasizes the cycle of violence, honor, and guilt, shifting the focus away from the traditional Shakespearean themes of romance and impossible love.
Website & tickets: Tickets
tamUjUntU, Via Kathelehong/Cia Gente/Paul Azevedo – Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (7 december)
tamUjUntU is not easy to translate. It is a composition of the expression ‘tamo juntu’, which is a shortened form of ‘estamos juntos’, which in turn means something like ‘we stand together!’/there we go! High five!’. This dance performance is about solidarity, connection and friendships. Different backgrounds come together in this cheerful hour. From Xhosa to Roma, Swazi and Quilombolas, cultures from Brazil and South Africa all mix together in this dance and certainly reflect connection and solidarity. The dancers tell their own story in this way, but everything is also changed again by each other's influence. In this way, everything is open to new influences and cultures, and especially to each other and the public. Let yourself be embraced by all that is different, which still feels a bit like one.
Family, Louis Janssens – Vlaams Cultuurhuis de Brakke Grond (1 t/m 4 december)
In Family nodigt theatermaker Louis Janssens vier verschillende generaties acteurs uit op het podium om samen met hem te spelen. Er worden verhalen vertelt, vragen gesteld en samen naar antwoorden gezocht. Uiteraard staat het thema ‘familie’ centraal, en hoe familiebanden ons leven op onvermijdelijke manier beïnvloeden. Maar het begrip ‘familie’ wordt ook breder getrokken, het gaat ook over gekozen familie. In deze open regie spelen de acteurs zichzelf, maar gaandeweg de voorstelling vindt er ook een transformatie plaats. Een mooi kwetsbaar stuk waar prachtig gespeeld wordt.
Website & tickets: Tickets
Music
Parker Fans – Tolhuistuin (23 december)
This energetic indieboogie band is guaranteed to provide a fantastic evening of dance and music. Three boys who know each other from high school and swing together on stage. Drum samples, synths, bass lines and, not unimportantly: fun. The fun splashes off when these three take the stage and that is contagious in their music and in all the halls and festivals where they enter. In the meantime, they have a lot of festivals to their name, and collaborations with big names such as Jungle By Night, Altin Gün and Pip Blom have also passed in review. Now they play their own songs, in the Tolhuistuin on December 23 and you don't want to miss that.
An Intergalactic Night: Sun-Mi Hong & Luís Lopes, Gershwin Bonevacia, Sara Guidolin & friends, Ernst Glerum – Bimhuis Amsterdam (December 15)
On this evening, a whirlwind of diverse talent will grace the stage of the Bimhuis. From avant-jazz to spoken word, this musical jazz night will showcase a wide range of styles. In addition to the various artists taking the stage, a familiar face from the Bimhuis will also be returning. The evening will be framed by bar pianist Ernst Glerum (also a double bassist in the ICP Orchestra and Benjamin Herman Trio). Originally from Korea, drummer Sun-Mi Hong is known for her energy and adventurous spirit. She now forms a duo with Luís Lopes, who combines guitar and sound experimentation in an original way. Gershwin Bonevacia is a versatile artist involved in poetry, writing, music, podcasting, and theater, showcasing his wide range of talents. He also served as the City Poet of Amsterdam. In short, this evening offers something for everyone, bringing together a diverse array of talents and styles.
Website & tickets: Tickets
Festivals
Amsterdam Light Festival, edition 14: Legacy
Edition 14 of the Amsterdam Light Festival revolves around Legacy . The artists have interpreted this term in both broad and specific ways, encompassing climatic events and family traditions during the winter season. It explores what we collectively leave behind and the stories we share. Twenty different artists have engaged with this theme, resulting in a collection of light artworks that brighten the darkness from November 27th. It's worth taking a stroll to admire the art or hopping on one of the many boats that offer special festival tours.
Website & tickets: Tickets
Films
The Golden Spurtle
The World Porridge Championship is held annually in the small village of Carrbridge, in the Highlands of Scotland. Yes, you read that right, a world championship in making porridge, or as the Scots would say: “the world championship of porridge”. In this warm documentary we follow the volunteers in Carrbridge who are preparing for an edition of “The Golden Spurtle” (where the spurtle refers to the ideal stirring rod with which you stir through the porridge, if you win you will receive a golden one). We also follow various participants of “The Golden Spurtle”. We see techniques, eccentric figures, the landscape of Carrbridge, and porridge, lots of porridge. A perfect documentary that you can laugh at and that everyone should see.
Bugonia
Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone have teamed up again, resulting in this conspiracy theory-filled film. When the beekeeper Teddy kidnaps a powerful pharmaceutical executive (brilliantly played by Emma Stone) in the hope of preventing a disaster, everything naturally goes from bad to worse. Teddy believes that the pharmaceutical executive is a powerful alien sent to Earth to exterminate us. The film takes you on a bizarre journey and leaves you confused, amazed, and stunned.
Christy
In this raw Irish coming-of-age film, we follow Christy, a boy who is kicked out of his foster home at the beginning of the film and ends up temporarily living with his brother Shane. Shane lives in a working-class neighborhood in Cork. Christy begins to feel more at home than he initially thought, but Shane wants this to remain a temporary solution. A beautiful film about a boy on a quest to discover his past, who his friends are, and where he belongs.
