Everyday in Amsterdam passes with a celebration. The city is famous for holding cultural festivals that draws in millions of tourists to it. These events are a proof to the unique cultural life of the city.

Eleven Cities Journey: It is skating marathon held every decade in January. The 200 km race covers the countryside of Friesland.

Queen's Day: Queen's Day is the national celebration of the birthday of Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Celebrated every year on April 30 with much fervor in the whole of Netherlands, special celebrations are seen in big cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Hague. On the particular day the Amsterdammers are dressed in orange, the color of the royal family. With clubs, parties, music and entertainments, the city welcomes around 750 thousand people from all over the world to be a part of their main festival. People sent Queen's Day e-card to their friends and relatives.

Bloemencorso (Flower Parade): Held every year during April, this flower festival is celebrated with much pomp and enthusiasm. The sight of variety of flowers exhibited on this particular day is really eye appealing. The program that consists of flower exhibition can be viewed at the Klinkenbergerhallen in Sassenheim. A flower parade is also held from Noordwijk to Haarlem. The festival lasts for five days.

Cannabis Cup: Conducted every November, the Cannabis Cup has become a much-awaited event in Amsterdam. The city, has become vibrant following the opening of pubs, clubs and coffee shops where all kinds of drugs especially cannabis are handy. The coffee shops exhibit their high quality products during this five-day event. The winners who follow the various criteria of the judges such as high quality products and outstanding service are awarded with the Cannabis Cup.

Sinterklaas: Although many people in Amsterdam celebrate Christmas on December 25, the traditional Dutch Christmas is celebrated every year on December 6. Sinterklaas, the Dutch name for Santa Claus arrives in the city from Spain by ship with plenty of gifts for the children. It is believed that the good children will receive chocolates and other gifts hidden in his shoes and the bad will get coal and sticks. On the day, people cook and serve traditional food and display "euphorbia pulcherrima" in their houses a plant that is considered as the traditional Christmas flower.

Holland Festival: This is an art festival the Amsterdammers look for. Considered as the most prestigious festival in the city, it is celebrated with dance, song and other art forms. Held every year in June for a month, people from all parts of the world reach the city to view and take part in the celebrations. Various cultural programs of great artistic quality are staged and visual arts and films include the programs held during the festival. This international festival is celebrated to erase the boundaries between different arts.

Stille Omgang (Silent Procession): Amsterdam that often receives pilgrims from far and wide is known as 'The Miracle City'. The city holds a festival week every year in March. It begins on the Wednesday after March 12 and ends on that Saturday. A big Silent Procession is held on Saturday night to Sunday morning. It is done in silence without any loud prayers or song. People from all parts of the Netherlands reach the city to take part in the procession that is considered as the most significant event held to commemorate the various miracles happened in the city earlier.

Herdenkingsdag (Remembrance Day): The Remembrance Day or Commemoration Day is observed on May 4 every year to pay homage to the victims of WW II and other wars. This has been observed at the Dam Square since the end of World War II. Though it is not an official holiday in the city, it is observed as an official ceremony with a memorial service in the Nieuwe Kerk. A two-minute silence is also observed all over the country before which the Queen Beatrix, members of the Dutch Parliament and the relatives of the victims laid wreaths at the national war memorial.

Kwakoe Festival: The largest multicultural festival of the country attracts million of tourists. This weekend event that take place over five weeks in the months of July-August is conducted with many extensive program like live music, movies, sports, food, dancing, information and meetings. Harmony between the various communities and individuals is the main mission of this event. Held at the Bijlmerpark in Amsterdam Southeast, the festival becomes a platform for various companies in the city such as marketing companies, PR agencies, manufacturers and factory-owners, also multinationals and large and medium companies. The Kwakoe Summer Festival is also a stage to people who are active in music, theatre, art, literature and sports. People who reach here during this time can enjoy the tasty Dutch dishes and the various cultural performances. It also provides free entry for the visitors.

Amsterdam Pride: The festival also known as Gay Pride is the largest gay event in the Netherlands. Held in August every year, the festival consists of various sports and cultural programs and parties. The main event of the festival is the boat parade held on the second last day through the city's canals. This parade is attended not only by the Amsterdammers, but also from other parts of the world.

Jordaan Festival: The inner city street festival held every year in September is conducted in the famous brown cafes in the city. The important programs of the festival are drum bands, a children's festival, opera and cabaret, a boules competition, a flea market and auction. The festival of locals especially the working class sings and dances out their life experience.

Crossing Border: Held in November annually, this international literature festival attracts the attention of people from the entire globe. The main focus of the festival is on the new developments in literature.

Parade of Saint Nicolaas: The city of Amsterdam is in the festive mood on November 18 from 12pm, when St Nicolas arrives in the city. The Mayor welcomes him in a ceremony and later St Nicolas along with his Black Peters parade around the historical downtown.