Calendar of Events

One of the biggest and most eagerly awaited events in Holland is the Elfstedentocht, the 11-cities race in which skaters compete over a 202km (125-mile) course through Friesland province. The first race was run in 1909, and it has been run only 13 times since. Perhaps the weather and ice conditions will allow the race to be held when you are visiting. If so, it's well worth going out of your way to see -- or even to take part in. Contact VVV Friesland (tel. 0900/202-4060).

January

Rotterdam International Film Festival. More than 300 indie films are screened at theaters around town. Contact tel. 010/890-9090; www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com. January 24 to February 4, 2007; similar dates in 2008.

February

Carnival, Maastricht and Den Bosch ('s-Hertogenbosch). Contact VVV Maastricht (tel. 043/325-2121) and VVV Den Bosch (tel. 0900/112-2334). Seven weeks before Easter.

ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, Rotterdam. The world's top men tennis players converge on the port city for this ATP Tour event. Contact Ahoy (tel. 0900/235-2469; www.ahoy.nl), or go to www.abnamrowtt.nl. February 19 to 25, 2007; similar dates in 2008.

March

Windmill Days, Zaanse Schans. All five working windmills at this recreated old village and open-air museum in the Zanstreek, just north of Amsterdam, are open to the public. Contact VVV Zaanstreek/Waterland (tel. 075/616-2221). March to October.

The European Fine Art Fair, Maastricht. Top-rated international art and antiques fair at the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Center (MECC). Art dealers from around the world present their finest objects. Jewelry, silver, carpets, Egyptian and classical antiquities, and 20th-century art are among the items on view. Contact tel. 0411/645-090; www.tefaf.com. March 9 to March 18, 2007; March 7 to March 16, 2008.

Opening of Keukenhof Gardens, Lisse. The greatest flower show on earth blooms with a spectacular display of tulips and narcissi, daffodils and hyacinths, bluebells, crocuses, lilies, amaryllis, and many other flowers at this 28-hectare (70-acre) garden in the heart of the bulb country. There's said to be nearly eight million flowers. Contact tel. 025/246-5555; www.keukenhof.nl. March 22 to May 20, 2007; similar dates in 2008.

April

National Museum Weekend. A weekend during which most museums in the Netherlands offer free or reduced admission and have special exhibits. April 14 to April 15, 2007; similar dates in 2008.

Bloemencorso van de Bollenstreek (Bulb District Flower Parade). Floats keyed to a different floral theme each year parade from Noordwijk, through Sassenheim, Lisse, and Bennebroek, to Haarlem. Call tel. 0252/434-710. First Saturday after April 19: April 21-22, 2007; April 19-20, 2008.

Koninginnedag (Queen's Day). Countrywide celebration honoring the queen's official birthday, with parades, street fairs, and street entertainment. Throughout Holland, but best in Amsterdam. April 30.

May

Herdenkingsdag (Memorial Day). Countrywide observance for victims of World War II, principally marked by 2 minutes of silence at 8pm. May 4.

Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day). Commemorates the end of World War II and Holland's liberation from Nazi occupation. Throughout the country, but best in Amsterdam. May 5.

National Windmill Day, throughout Holland. Around two-thirds of the country's almost 1,000 working windmills spin their sails and are open to the public. Contact Vereniging de Hollandsche Molen (tel. 020/623-8703; www.molens.nl). Second Saturday in May: May 12, 2007; May 10, 2008.

National Cycling Day, throughout Holland. On this day, Dutch people get on their bikes and pedal. So what else is new? Second Saturday in May: May 12, 2007; May 10, 2008.

June

Holland Festival, Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. Each year, these four cities join forces to present a cultural buffet of music, opera, theater, film, and dance. The schedule includes all the major Dutch companies and visiting companies and soloists. Contact Holland Festival (tel. 020/530-7110; www.hollandfestival.nl). May 29 to June 24, 2007; similar dates in 2008.

Vlaggetjesdag (Flag Day), Scheveningen. The fishing fleet opens the herring season with a race to bring the first Hollandse Nieuwe herring back to port (the first barrel is auctioned for charity). Contact Stichting Vlaggetjesdag Scheveningen (tel. 070/345-3267; www.vlaggetjesdag.com). June 9, 2007; similar date in 2008.

Oerol Festival, Terschelling. Open-air performances by international theater companies on this island in the Wadden Sea. There was some doubt about financing for future events, so double-check that the festival is still happening. Contact VVV Terschelling (tel. 056/244-3000; www.oerol.nl). June 15 to June 24, 2007; similar dates in 2008.

Amsterdam Roots Festival. Various venues. This festival features music and dance from around the world, along with workshops, films, and exhibits. One part is the open-air Oosterpark Festival, a multicultural feast of song and dance held at Oosterpark in Amsterdam-Oost (East). Contact Amsterdam Roots Festival (www.amsterdamroots.nl). June 16 to June 24, 2007; similar dates in 2008.

Canalhouse Gardens in Bloom, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. If you wonder what the gardens behind the gables of those fancy canal-side houses look like, this is your chance to find out. A number of the best are open to the public for 3 days. Contact Stichting De Amsterdamse Grachtentuin (tel. 020/422-2379; www.amsterdamsegrachtentuin.nl). Late June.

July

Amsterdam Arts Adventure, venues throughout the city. It includes offbeat and informal events across the full range of the arts. Contact VVV Amsterdam (tel. 0900/400-4040) or Amsterdam Uit Buro (tel. 0900/0191). July and August.

North Sea Jazz Festival, Ahoy, Rotterdam. One of the world's leading gatherings of top international jazz and blues musicians unfolds over 3 concert-packed days at the city's giant Ahoy venue. Last-minute tickets are scarce, so book as far ahead as you can. Contact North Sea Jazz Festival (tel. 015/214-8393; www.northseajazz.nl). July 13 to July 15, 2007; similar dates in 2008.

Over Het IJ Festival. Avant-garde theater, music, and dance are performed in Amsterdam-Noord, beside the IJ channel, at the old NDSM Wharf, TT Neveritaweg 15. Contact Over Het IJ Festival (tel. 020/492-2229; www.overhetij.nl). Middle 2 weeks of July.

Skûtsjesilen, the Frisian Lakes and the IJsselmeer. Sailing races feature traditional Frisian sailing ships, called skûtsjes. Contact VVV Friesland (tel. 0900/202-4060; www.skutsjesilen.nl). July 21 to August 3, 2007; similar dates in 2008.

August

Amsterdam Pride. This is a big event in Europe's most gay-friendly city. A crowd of as many as 150,000 people turns out to watch the highlight Boat Parade's display of 100 or so outrageously decorated boats cruising the canals. In addition, there are street discos, open-air theater performances, a sports program, and a film festival. (The entire festival's future is in the balance, subject to the City Council not revoking its permission on "public order" grounds.) Contact Amsterdam Gay Pride (www.amsterdamgaypride.nl). First weekend in August: August 3 to August 5, 2007 (Canal Parade Aug 4); August 1 to August 3, 2008 (Canal Parade Aug 2).

Grachten Festival. A 5-day festival of classical music, on a different theme each year, plays at various intimate and elegant venues along the city's canals and at the Muiziekgebouw aan 't IJ. There's always a performance or two designed for children. Part of the festival is the exuberant Prinsengracht Concert, which plays on a pontoon in front of the Hotel Pulitzer. Contact Stichting Grachtenfestival (tel. 020/421-4542; www.grachtenfestival.nl). August 11 to August 19, 2007; August 9 to August 17, 2008.

Holland Festival of Early Music, Utrecht. Concerts of music from the Middle Ages to the Romantic era. Contact Stichting Organisatie Oude Muziek (tel. 030/232-9000; www.oudemuziek.nl). August 24 to September 2, 2007; August 29 to September 7, 2008.

Uitmarkt. Amsterdam previews the cultural season with this open market of information and free performances at impromptu outdoor venues, and at theaters and concert halls. Both professional and amateur groups take part in the shows, which run the gamut of music, opera, dance, theater, and cabaret. Contact Amsterdam Uitmarkt (tel. 020/626-2656; www.uitmarkt.nl). Usually the last weekend in August, but dates are not confirmed until the preceding March.

11 Steden Fiets 4 Daagse (11 Cities 4 Days Bicycle Tour), Friesland. The bicycling version of the famous Elfstedentocht ice-skating race through Friesland province, based on the idea that roads and bikes are more reliable than frozen canals and skates. Contact VVV Friesland (tel. 0900/202-4060). End of August.

September

Bloemencorso Aalsmeer. The Dam in Amsterdam is the final destination for the Flower Parade that originates in Aalsmeer. This parade features a large number of floats that carry a variety of in-season flowers (so no tulips). Contact Stichting Bloemencorso (tel. 0297/325-100; www.bloemencorsoaalsmeer.nl). September 1, 2007. Note: Due to organizational, security, and traffic difficulties, the 2007 Bloemencosro will be the last one.

Open Monumentendag, all over the country. A chance to see historic buildings and monuments usually not open to the public -- and to get in free as well. Contact Vereniging Open Monumentendag (tel. 020/470-1170). Second Saturday: September 8, 2007; September 13, 2008.

State Opening of Parliament, The Hague. On Prinsjesdag (Princes' Day), Queen Beatrix rides in a splendid gold coach to the Knights' Hall in The Hague to open the legislative session by delivering the Troonrede (Speech from the Throne). Contact VVV Den Haag (tel. 0900/340-3505). Third Tuesday in September: September 18, 2007; September 16, 2008.

October

Leidens Ontzet, Leiden. Procession commemorating the anniversary of the raising of the 1574 Spanish siege. Haring en witte brood (herring and white bread) are distributed, just as they were on that day. Contact VVV Leiden (tel. 0900/222-2333). October 3 (Oct 4 when the 3rd is a Sun).

Leather Pride is a growing happening of parties and other events for gays who are into a leather lifestyle. Contact Leather Pride Nederland (tel. 020/422-3737; www.leatherpride.nl). Last weekend of October.

November

International Horti Fair, Amsterdam. The largest exhibit of autumn-blooming flowers in the Netherlands takes place at the RAI Convention Center. Contact tel. 0297/344-033; www.hortifair.nl. October 9 to October 12, 2007; October 13 to October 16, 2008.

Crossing Border Festival, Den Haag (The Hague). Literature, poetry, and music are combined in this festival. Contact Crossing Border (tel. 070/346-2355; www.crossingborder.nl). Mid-November.

Sinterklaas Arrives. Holland's "Santa Claus" (St. Nicholas) launches the Christmas season when he arrives in Holland from Spain, accompanied by black-painted assistants, called Zwarte Piet (Black Peter) who hand out sweets to kids. During the next 2 weeks he makes his way to towns across the land. Contact local VVV offices. Third Saturday in November: November 17, 2007; November 15, 2008. He arrives the next day in Amsterdam.

December

Sinterklaas, throughout Holland. St. Nicholas's Eve is the traditional day in Holland for exchanging Christmas gifts. Join some Dutch friends or a Dutch family if possible. December 5.

Gouda bij Kaarslicht (Gouda by Candlelight). Gouda. In the evening, all the electric lights are turned off around the Markt, and Gouda's main square, the 15th-century town hall, and a giant Christmas tree are all lit up by thousands of candles. Contact VVV Gouda (tel. 0900/468-3288; www.vvvgouda.nl). Second Tuesday before Christmas.