August in Amsterdam: what to expect
According to the 1991-2020 KNMI normals, measured at Schiphol, August afternoons average 22 °C and nights drop to around 13 °C. August gets 99 mm of rain on average, the highest total of the year, with about 204 hours of sun. Showers are often short: plan fallback activities and carry a waterproof jacket.
The days shorten quickly: on 1 August 2027 the sun rises around 6 am and sets around 9:35 pm; on 31 August it rises around 6:50 am and sets around 8:35 pm.
Crowds and prices. The summer holidays in the Northern region, which includes Amsterdam, end on 22 August 2027. The start of the month, with Pride, is very busy and expensive for accommodation; the last week is calmer. To compare with other seasons, see our guide to the best time to visit Amsterdam.
August 2027 highlights
Pride Amsterdam and the Canal Parade, Saturday 7 August
Pride Amsterdam runs from 31 July to 8 August 2027. The highlight is the Canal Parade on Saturday 7 August 2027, from 12 pm to 6 pm: a fleet of decorated boats leaves the Oosterdok and follows the canals of the centre, and the public watches for free from the quays. Good spots go early. Route, tips and programme: see our Amsterdam Pride page. If you rent a boat, avoid the parade canals that day.
The Grachtenfestival, 13-22 August 2027
The Grachtenfestival is the main classical and jazz festival in the Netherlands. For ten days, young musicians under 35 play all over the city: free concerts on squares, pontoons and in parks, ticketed concerts in halls, gardens and houses along the canal ring. For some concerts the address only arrives by email that morning. Ticket sales open in June; latecomers are not admitted once a concert has started.
The Prinsengrachtconcert
This free classical concert takes place every August on a pontoon moored in front of the Pulitzer hotel, Prinsengracht 323, and can be followed from the quays and bridges. The 2026 edition, the 44th, took place on Saturday 22 August at 8 pm, preceded by a children's concert at 3 pm. Come early, bring a picnic (no fires or barbecues) and take your rubbish with you. The 2027 date had not been published in October 2026.
Pluk de Nacht, cinema on the IJ
This open-air film festival sets up on the Stenen Hoofd, an old jetty west of the central station (Westerdoksdijk 1). Films start at dusk, around 9 pm. In 2026 a ticket cost €11 and included a deckchair; you can also watch from the terrace. 2026 edition: 19 to 29 August; check the 2027 dates in spring.
Bosfest, theatre in the forest
The Amsterdamse Bostheater, in the heart of the Amsterdamse Bos, hosts its Bosfest theatre festival from 17 to 28 August 2027, Tuesday to Saturday evenings: small audiences, a bar and a campfire. Bring a jacket, as it gets cool quickly under the trees.
Summary
| Event | Dates | Place | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pride, Canal Parade | Saturday 7 August 2027, 12 pm-6 pm | Central canals | Free from the quays |
| Grachtenfestival | 13-22 August 2027 | Whole city | Free and ticketed concerts |
| Bosfest | 17-28 August 2027, Tuesday to Saturday | Amsterdamse Bostheater | Paid |
| Prinsengrachtconcert | A Saturday in August; 2026: 22 August | Prinsengracht 323 | Free |
| Pluk de Nacht | Late August; 2026: 19-29 August | Stenen Hoofd | €11 per deckchair in 2026 |
Rows without a 2027 date show the usual period. The whole season is detailed in our guide Amsterdam in summer: festivals, outdoors and swimming.
When it rains in August
August is the wettest month: keep some indoor visits in reserve. Our selection what to do in Amsterdam when it rains lists museums, cafés and cinemas; the Rembrandt House and the canal houses to visit make good fallback visits.
Swimming and leaving the city
The official swimming spots (Marineterrein, Strand IJburg, Nieuwe Meer, Gaasperplas, Sloterplas) are monitored during the season; check Zwemwater before you go. For a day out of town, see our day trips from Amsterdam and the beaches near Amsterdam.
Practical tips for August
- Book early for the ticketed Grachtenfestival concerts and for hotels at the start of the month.
- Buy tickets from official sites: a ticket bought from an individual may be fake.
- Bring rain gear and a jacket for the evenings.
- Crowded quays on Canal Parade Saturday: arrive early and keep your belongings close; see scams and safety in Amsterdam.
Going further
July leads up to Pride: read What to do in Amsterdam in July. The next month keeps the mild summer feel with fewer people: What to do in Amsterdam in September.
