Open Air Theatre, Vondelpark – Fun, free performances in Amsterdam’s most popular park

Perfectly

positioned within Amsterdam’s hugely popular Vondelpark, the delightful Open

Air Theatre attracts the crowds with its entertaining performances of music,

theatre and comedy, all of which are completely free of charge. Offering something for everyone, the Open Air

Theatre hosts its events over the weekends of the summer months and is an

attraction not to be missed when visiting the city.

Located

in the west of Amsterdam, not far from the vibrant city centre, is Amsterdam’s

largest city park, the magnificent Vondelpark.

Spanning over an impressive 120 acres and visited by a staggering 10

million people every single year, the park boasts a wide array of fantastic

facilities including children’s playgrounds, picturesque gardens, a tranquil

lake and of course the famous Open Air Theatre.

Each

year, starting at the beginning of June and continuing through to the end of

August, the Vondelpark’s Open Air Theatre provides spectators with access to

free of charge, entertaining performances every Friday, Saturday and

Sunday. A variety of productions can be

viewed, ranging from modern dance and cabaret shows to children’s theatre and

pop music concerts.

The

Vondelpark has always had a connection with music and entertainment, especially

in the early 1970s when the ‘Flower Power’ era took place. In 1974 the Open Air Theatre began offering

its free of charge performances, which quickly became popular with tourists and

locals alike. Today, many renowned

artists perform at the event, including the fabulous Dutch Philharmonic

Orchestra who offer a breath-taking production of fine classical music. Prior to the main event, each show is opened

by young people eager to show off their up and coming talents.

The Open

Air Theatre is fully equipped to seat hundreds of people, together with

spacious areas for those who wish to stand.

A collection of cafes and bars also provide refreshments for spectators,

however a pre-pared picnic is also welcomed within the park and is what many

people tend to do. Performances usually

take place whatever the weather, either in glorious sunshine or a heavy

downpour, all of which adds to the lively, friendly, festival atmosphere which

the theatre emits.

The Open Air Theatre is definitely worthy of a

visit and is an event which is highly recommended for all ages. Although free of charge, donations are much

appreciated in order to maintain this impressive attraction. More information can be found on the official

website, which is in Dutch but can easily be translated using various browser

translators – www.openluchttheater.nl.