< Amsterdam in March | Amsterdam Travel by Month | Amsterdam in May >
April is a wonderful month to be in Amsterdam and the Netherlands as a whole, when multi-colored rows of tulips blanket the fields and locals await Queen's Day, the birthday of Queen Beatrix's mother, Juliana. The Dutch come out in droves as the sunny days return, and as dusk falls later and later, there's ever more time to explore.
April Pros
- April is the second-driest month after February - but considerably warmer!
- Seasonal attractions, from theme parks to cafe terraces, re-open
- Keukenhof, the Netherlands' world-famous tulip park, is open all month
April Cons
- Airfare and accommdation fees rise thanks to "tulipmania" and Queen's Day festivities
- Tourist attractions become more crowded, especially on weekends -- and Queen's Day ushers in the mother of all crowds!
April Weather
- Average high: 55°F (12.8°C)
- Average low: 38°F (3.3°C)
- Average precipitation: 2.1 in (53 mm)
Yearly Festivals & Events in April
- Keukenhof
2012 Dates: March 22 - May 20
Keukenhof, the Netherlands' world-famous bulb flower park, is open for the 2012 season. Travel there without a hitch with our Keukenhof transport tips, or see pictures from previous seasons. - Easter
2012 Date: April 8
At a loss for how to spend Easter Sunday in Amsterdam? Check out these celebratory tips for both adults and children of all denominations. - Amsterdams Kleinkunst Festival
2012 Dates: April 12 - 28
The 24th Amsterdams Kleinkunst Festival takes over two Leidseplein theaters with talent from the world of Dutch cabaret. (Note: Performances are in Dutch only.) - Museumweekend
2012 Dates: April 14 - 15
Museums all over the Netherlands ditch their (often pricey) admission fees on this weekend only in April; see the Museumweekend web site for a complete list of participants by city, or read more about Amsterdam's museums. - Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival
2012 Dates: April 17 - 28
The wonderful festival for fantasy, horror, science fiction and animated film returns for another edition. - Breakin' Walls Festival
2012 Dates: April 18 - 21
Frascati Theater puts on this "international, multi-disciplinary youth festival" twice yearly to show off the performance talent of under 27's. - World Press Photo
2012 Dates: April 20 - June 17
World Press Photo honors the best photojournalism each year with an awards ceremony and mobile exhibition, which debuts in Amsterdam's Oude Kerk (Old Church) before it travels the world. - Meibockfestival
2012 Date: April 22
Come on over to the Posthoornkerk (Haarlemmerstraat 124-126) between 1 and 8 p.m. to sample the season's best beers; entrance is € 6, and each credit (€ 1.75/ea) is worth 15 cL (5 oz.) of beer. Make it a beer-themed day with a trip to the Heineken Experience and/or some of the best local beer bars. - Queen's Day
April 30
Around one million revelers will descend on Amsterdam for Queen's Day, the birthday of the former Queen Juliana, so be prepared: those who'd prefer to avoid the crowds should head to open spaces like the Vondelpark, which turns into a children's paradise on April 30, or skip town for some more laid-back celebrations! - AutoRAI - Amsterdam International Motor Show
N.B. The AutoRAI, a biannual event, does not take place in 2012.
2013 Dates: April 2 - 14
The Netherlands' premiere auto show broadens its appeal with new live demonstrations and exhibits, in addition to its traditional showcase of classic and state-of-the-art vehicles.
