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Hello Reader, This week’s newsletter brings an exciting mix of cozy and thrilling, relaxed and high-energy to-dos — all promising a brilliant time for every member of the family. Whether you’re looking to get into the spooky spirit early or seeking creative weekend escapes, our rich roundup offers plenty of fresh inspiration. You’re probably thinking about Halloween already, and you would be right! Start with the Amsterdam Mamas Spooktacular Parade for the little ones and carry on to spookier events for the teens and adults. Plus there’s so much more happening across our city and beyond. Events Happening This WeekendAmsterdam Mamas Spooktacular Parade On Saturday 24th October, the Amsterdam Mamas team kicks things off in Spooktown with an early Halloween celebration! A sweet gathering of little ghouls, witches, and even the occasional Spider-Man is happening at the UJ Klaren Park. Choose the time slot that works best for your family:
Follow this link for more information and to secure your tickets. ADE Kids Rave – Morning Event This year’s Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is hosting a dedicated party for kids across three floors inside Club Panama in Amsterdam Oost. Parents, kids, and teens are welcome—the goal is to connect generations through electronic music. Experience a unique morning rave with your children at one of the world’s biggest music festivals, and still make it back home for bedtime. More details can be found here. Pure Markt at Park Frankendael For artisanal finds on a Sunday afternoon, everyone knows Pure Markt is the place to be. This Sunday at Park Frankendael, browse food stalls from around the globe, organic treats, handcrafted goods, and live music, with plenty of green open space for children to run and play. Check out the full list of participating vendors on this page. The market is open from 11:00 to 18:00. The Maker Market at De Hallen For trinkets, baubles, art prints, illustrations, and everything in between, De Hallen will once again be filled with talented makers on Saturday (11:00–17:00) and Sunday (12:00–17:00). More details can be found here. Ongoing & Upcoming EventsDrawing at the Palace If you live in Amsterdam, you have likely walked past Dam Square countless times. But have you been inside the Royal Palace? It is one of the most significant historic monuments in the Netherlands. While you can tour the palace on most days, October is extra special thanks to Drawing Month. Pick up a free drawing guide and spend an afternoon immersing yourself in the surrounding art with paper and pencil. If you visit on a weekend, drawing coaches will be on hand to assist creators of all ages. Find out more details on the website. Mad Scientist for Halloween at Hemlab For an alternative Halloween experience, take a short drive to Zaandam, where Hemlab Science Laboratory offers a quirky option. Kids aged 7 and up can pop on lab coats for an afternoon of candy experimentation. It’s a fantastic standalone activity or a fun parent-child bonding experience—after all, who wouldn’t love mixing their own witch’s brew? The workshop finishes at 17:00, actually still leaving plenty of time for evening trick-or-treating. Get your tickets for a spooky science session here. Children’s Museum (KiMu) Having opened just this year in Amsterdam-Noord, the Kinderkunstmuseum (KiMu Children’s Art Museum) offers engaging art exhibitions and hands-on creative experiences. Children aged 0–18 will find something to inspire them across various interactive stations and studio experiences. A unique, modern take on a museum, it is well worth a visit. Be sure to check their schedule before heading out, as they are open Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Imagine Film Festival Here’s one for you and your teens or older children. Running from 27 October to 8 November (with an opening programme on the 25th), Imagine presents a fantastic selection of international cinema. If you’re looking for a few thrilling films on the big screen, ten spooky options are lined up for you and your brave kids. Explore the full festival programme here. Parents’ CornerGet to Know Your City on a Whole New Level Amsterdam is sinking, and it’s up to you to save it! Sherlocked has launched a new city adventure game called Atlantis Protocol, giving 2 to 5 players 90 minutes to explore the city, solve puzzles, and decipher clues before time runs out. If you love adventure, mystery, and getting your steps in, it’s a brilliant way to see Amsterdam with fresh eyes. Book your quest through this link. Learn Playground-Ready Dutch Navigating Dutch on the playground, at school, or during playdates can be a challenge for international parents. During those first few years after moving to the Netherlands, language barriers often pop up when chatting with playmates, fellow parents, and teachers. While not a formal grammar course, Mama in Nederland offers sessions tailored specifically to language skills for daily parenting. Classes start this Friday, 23 October.
Check out the schedule and full details through this link. We endeavour to include everyone and are happy to mention events connected to all special holidays/festivities. Please email us with events/celebrations you want us to mention. AM will make the ultimate decision on what to publish. A team of volunteers compiles this newsletter, and we would welcome some new colleagues on the team. Are you interested, and do you have a few hours to spare every few weeks? Please contact Amsterdam Mamas for more information at info@amsterdam-mamas.nl This Weekend Roundup was compiled by Jackie C. Liban. The above information is given to the best of our knowledge and ability, but please check the event links to confirm details. These are often events that the Amsterdam Mamas cannot personally recommend from experience but are provided as a starting point to help you find activities that are a good fit for your family. If you have seen any upcoming events that we should know about, please let the newsletter team know by replying to this email. Thanks, and have a good weekend! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. |
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