Once a year, a magical event hits the city of Amsterdam… De Parade!
Although ‘De Parade’ does translate into ‘The Parade’, it is nothing like one – it is in fact a theater festival, disguised in an old-fashioned looking fair ground!
‘De Parade’ offers a mix of art, theater, film, magic, comedy and music, together with a good supply of food and drinks. The atmosphere is arty, bohemian, easygoing and trendy (every single hip person in Amsterdam seemed to be at the opening night last Friday)!
It’s a great place for people-watching and drinks, but the shows are really worth a visit as well. The theater makers now have an outlet for ideas that are hard to find an audience for the rest of the year, so you can see some really special performances!
One ‘idea’ I saw and thought to be super cool, was a silent disco. About fifty people in an open air disco, all wearing headphones and dancing like crazy, and occasionally all singing along with the lyrics. Such fun! I will definitely go next time!
Every afternoon, beginning at 3pm, there is a special children’s program, with theater, dance, film and workshops. It’s aimed at kids aged 4 to 12, but it’s really a great place to bring younger children too – there is so much to see and experience! There are also some carnival rides that children will love!
Don’t worry about cooking dinner – next to a variety of bars and terraces, you will find a huge choice of cuisines on the festival terrain: Portuguese, Algerian, Surinamese, Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Cajun, soul food, French, pizza, to name a couple… All serving small portions, so great for kids (and for us, as we can try out many)!
De Parade takes place until the 17th of august in the Martin Luther Kingpark, about 4 kilometers south of the city centre and easily reached with tram 25. It is open daily from 3pm until midnight (until 1am Friday and Saturday). The entrance to the festival terrain is free until 4pm, after that you pay €6 (under 12 and over 65 free). For bigger shows you’ll have to buy separate tickets, and it’s best to get them as soon as you enter the terrain as they can be sold out quite quickly.
Now, let’s hope for some good festival weather the next few weeks!
xxx Esther
Comments (2)
It sounds like so much fun!!
Are you getting nice weather?? It has been raining in London for four days in a row! Ugghh!
I biked past this last year and again this year but thought it was another fairground with rides that look they are about to fall apart and dodgy hotdogs. I think I should go a long this year it sounds fantastic!