What to do in Amsterdam in mayo

Amsterdam Light Festival keeps lighting up the Canal Ring through mid-January — 22 light artworks only visible from the water on 75-minute night cruises.

Fewest visitors of the Amsterdam calendar — morning fog over the canals, lows near freezing and the big museums walkable without booking ahead.

Stille Omgang silent procession winds through the old city on the Sunday nearest March 15 — pilgrims commemorating the 1345 Miracle of Amsterdam.

Koningsdag (King's Day) on April 27 — the whole city in orange, vrijmarkt on every sidewalk and the canals packed with DJ boats, the wildest day of the year.

Open Garden Days (Open Tuinen Dagen) on the third weekend — 30 hidden private gardens behind the Herengracht and Keizersgracht canal facades open to the public with a single ticket.

Julidans in the first two weeks — international contemporary dance festival at Stadsschouwburg, Frascati and open-air stages across the center.

Pride Amsterdam Canal Parade on the first Saturday — 80 decorated boats sail down the Prinsengracht while half a million spectators line the bridges.

Open Monument Day (Open Monumentendag) on the second weekend — 1,300+ landmarks normally closed open for free, including Beurs van Berlage and the Trippenhuis.

Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) for five days mid-month — the world's biggest electronic music conference: 200 venues, 2,500 artists and half a million attendances.

IDFA International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam — 15,000 daily attendees and 300 docs across eight venues, the world's largest documentary fest over 11 days.

Amsterdam Light Festival at full peak — nighttime electric-boat cruise past all 22 lit installations along the Canal Ring, book weeks in advance to get a slot.