There is always something fun to do in Amsterdam, but what shall we do in January 2026? 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 am currently working as an actor, writer, voice-over artist, and cook. In addition to 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. Every month, I write a series of tips that I think are worth visiting. Questions or tips? Email me! You can do so at: hinamannabelle@gmail.com. At the bottom of my tip, you will always find the website and/or Instagram of the place for more information.
Museums and exhibitions
Navid Nuur: When Doubt Turns into Destiny – De Oude Kerk (until February 9)
Navid Nuur is an artist who searches for meaning in works that lie between alchemy and art. He attempts to visualize processes in nature, such as abstract subjects like the flow of energy or the perception of time. In the Oude Kerk, he specifically explores light, time and space, visible and invisible phenomena, and physical and chemical principles. A sensory and unforgettable experience.
Website & tickets:Tickets
20th century: Srefidensi: fifty years of Surinamese independence – The Rijksmuseum (until May)
Every six months, the Rijksmuseum presents new topics about the 20th century. Suriname has now been independent for fifty years, which is reason enough for an extensive exhibition. There are photos of demonstrations in 1944 at the monument to dockworker Willem Diepraam, the significance of Srefidensi Day is explained in detail, and there are traditional angisas and other historical monuments. An important exhibition that every Amsterdam resident should see.
Website & tickets: Tickets
And don't be late for these current exhibitions!
The Netherlands, get better – Amsterdam Museum (location: Beautiful Distress) (until February 2, 2026)
In 2010, a group of Dutch people came together with a common goal: a Netherlands without anti-Black racism. This group eventually became Nederland Wordt Beter (The Netherlands Gets Better) with three clear points on its agenda: an inclusive Sinterklaas celebration, a national commemoration of the history of slavery, and structural education in schools about the colonial past and history of slavery. In this exhibition (in collaboration with Nederland Wordt Beter), you will be taken on a journey through the highs and lows, the efforts, the lessons, and the bottlenecks of the past fifteen years. Website & tickets:Tickets
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
Aaf Brandt Cortsius & Lies Visschedijk: About Love – DeLaMar Theater (January 24 and 25)
Aaf and Lies are, of course, known for their podcast in which they discuss all kinds of topics. But no subject is discussed as often as "love," as will be the case with Aaf and Lies at the DeLaMar at the end of January. In this performance, they try to figure out what love is, together with the audience. They do this through anecdotes, stories, love problems, and much more. One thing is certain: at the end of the evening, you will go home filled with... yes... love!
Website & tickets:Tickets
We Don’t Live Here Anymore, Jakop Ahlbom Company – Theater Bellevue (January 2–4)
In We Don’t Live Here Anymore, we follow two couples who physically express their dynamics under Ahlbom’s direction. Marijke Schermer wrote the script for this play. We hear dialogues as English voiceovers of characters while the actors express their inner worlds in beautiful choreography. The inspiration for the themes comes from plays such as Husbands and Wives, Closer, Revolutionary Road, and of course the novella of the same name, We Don't Live There Anymore, but with Ahlbom's dynamic twist.
Website & tickets:Tickets
Pressure Point, Vanja Rukavina in collaboration with De Coproducers – Frascati (January 6 and 7)
In Pressure Point, we meet Viktor, a Bosnian-Dutch tennis player who is in danger of being banned from Wimbledon because of a new Balkan war. Viktor lives for tennis and is not concerned with politics and war, but unwittingly becomes a pawn. The lead role is played by Sarajevo-born theater maker Vanja Rukavina, who knows better than anyone how to convey the increasing pressure from two cultures.
Website & tickets:Tickets
The Fall of Granada, Hotel Modern – Frascati (January 8-10)
Hotel Modern is known for its beautiful shadow plays, live animations, puppets, and music. In The Fall of Granada, they collaborate with wordsmith Abdelkader Benali, resulting in a beautiful historical and visual performance about Spain, the Inquisitions, the Moorish kingdom, and Granada. Hotel Modern always knows how to tell stories in a special and exciting way, and The Fall of Granada does so again in a spectacular and original manner.
Website & tickets:Tickets
Semele – Dutch National Opera and Ballet (January 17-29)
In Semele, imagination plays perhaps the most important role. Semele feels like an extra in her own life and therefore escapes into a world of her own creation, disappearing into ideas in which she has an understanding father, a loving husband, and the freedom to choose how she wants to live her life. But the more Semele disappears into her own head, the more she becomes detached from reality. This poignant opera, staged by Claus Guth, breathes new life into Georg Friedrich Händel's masterpiece.
Website & tickets:Tickets
Music
The Jazz Room: A musical journey into the heart of New Orleans – Het Zonnehuis (January 16)
At Het Zonnehuis, you can enjoy live jazz in a beautiful location. The New Orleans atmosphere comes to life on this energetic improvisation evening in Amsterdam-Noord. It will be a blend of ragtime, brass, blues, and improv.
Website & tickets:Tickets
Mattiu: The unique sound of the Swiss Alps – Splendor Amsterdam (January 14)
Mattiu will be performing romantic indie music from Switzerland at the atmospheric Splendor venue. His warm voice, loving personality, and emotional delivery are sure to make for a magical evening. Mattiu has played at major festivals in Switzerland, such as Montreux Jazz, Moon & Stars, and Stars in Town, and is now in Amsterdam for a small, intimate concert. He will be accompanied by his regular drummer Jerome and the magical backing vocals of Nina & Tizana.
Website & tickets: Tickets
Festivals
National Tulip Day – Museumplein (January 17)
The tulip season will be festively opened at the Museumplein on January 17. Expect a gigantic picking garden with no fewer than 200,000 tulips, music, colorfulness, and togetherness. This year's theme is United in Bloom! andaims to show how tulips connect everyone, evoke emotions, and speak a language that everyone can understand. Come early, because you can pick a free bunch of tulips!
Website & tickets:Website
Films
Sentimental Value
Joachim Trier's long-awaited follow-up is finally here. After The Worst Person in the World, which marked the breakthrough of Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve, she now stars in Trier's latest film: Sentimental Value. According to critics, Stellan Skårsgard plays "the role of his life" as a grumpy, difficult father and film director. His daughter Nora (Reinsve) has also ended up in the acting world. Her father has suddenly written a script in which he sees her in the lead role, but she is not keen on the idea, as her father left them when they were younger because he chose his career over family life. Sentimental Value is about growing up, family, and the sentimental values we associate with our childhood home, and the stories that took place there that we still carry with us.
Die My Love
Robert Pattinson and Jennifer Lawrence play the incomparable lead roles in this grim, suspenseful film by Lynne Ramsay (We Need to Talk About Kevin). The young parents have become a bourgeois couple and are bored to death. A dilapidated house in Montana, far from civilization, is the setting for this punk film. Grace is lonely and longs for her life before she became a mother. As her husband, Jackson, has to travel more and more for work, her loneliness slowly turns into despair. The film will leave a lasting impression and linger long after the credits have rolled.
The Last Viking
Anders Thomas Jengsen (Riders of Justice) directed The Last Viking: a crazy black comedy film full of unexpected and absurd twists. Manfred (a starring role for Danish star Mads Mikkelsen) thinks he is John Lennon, which causes quite a few problems. Especially for his criminal brother Anker (Nikolaj Lie Kaas), who left stolen money with his little brother fifteen years ago, who now has no idea where it is. The film is about brotherhood, being different, and dealing with trauma in a very specific way. I can't say much more about it; this is really a film you have to see and experience for yourself, so you can let all its layers sink in.
