Grachtenfestival Starts this Saturday!

The Grachtenfestival, a much-anticipated and one-of-a-kind summer event in Amsterdam, begins this Saturday, August 16. What started more than 10 years ago as a musical celebration around the city's grachten (canals) -- with performances on boats and in canal-side buildings -- now also includes venues in Amsterdam's IJ harbor.

The program is extensive and includes several free performances. The last weekend you can try your luck at getting free tickets to "secret" concerts on boats, in gardens and atop roofs in the city. Of course, the most popular event of the festival is the Prinsengracht Concert, performed on the last Saturday night on a giant pontoon docked in front of the Hotel Pulitzer. See the full Grachtenfestival program online.

• Other August Events and Festivals
• Top Summer Festivals in Amsterdam

^{Pictured: The Nederlands Blazers Ensemble perform at the 2005 Grachtenfestival
Photo Courtesy of De MediaVilla}