Winter’s arrival is marked by the annual reappearance of the ice rink at the Museumplein, which opened this past weekend. That said, it’s not the only pretty place you can ice skate in Amsterdam. Head out to Oost to the Jaap Edan Ice Rink, down south to green Amstelveen and its Winter Village, or stay central at the neon-lit Rembrandtplein rink.
The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) returns for 12 days of powerful storytelling as the world’s largest documentary film festival. Home to creative documentaries from around the world, this year’s theme for the DocLab programme is “Off the Internet”, exploring the paradox of our time: a world perpetually connected through technology, at risk of disconnection by the same tools. Grab your pre-sale tickets while you can – screenings often sell out due to popularity – and if you’re unsure of films to go and see, our tips for IDFA is a good place to start.
IDFA | 13-23 November | various
If you’re after something a little different, head down to Museum Tot Zover – Amsterdam’s museum of death – for the CORPUS festival. Described as a soulful ode to the body, here art, music, science and ritual combine to beautiful and deadly effect as video installations, short films and audio experiences challenge you to slow down and remember the beauty of what we already have.
CORPUS Festival | 22-23 Nov | Museum Tot Zover
For those who prefer art when it’s hands-on, try this sip & paint workshop at H’ART museum. In tandem with the Brancusi exhibition that’s running until 18 January, this is your chance to emulate the sculptor’s legacy with your own tribute painting. You’ll be given painting materials, a cocktail and free access to the Brancusi exhibition, a lovely creative pre-dinner activity.
Sip & Paint Workshop | 23 Nov, 16:00-19:00 | H’ART Museum
A mainstay of London’s electronic scene, Joy Orbison lands in Lofi with some of the UK capital’s flair. Best known for fusing styles like garage, dubstep and jungle into buzzy electronica, catch him for a sweaty night in Nieuw-West this Saturday.
Joy Orbison | 22 Nov, 22:00-05:30 | Lofi
Channel the spirit of Persia at storytelling hub Mezrab’s Iranian Disco Night. Inspired by the owner’s heritage, dance through every era from the 70s up until the 2000s, from stars like Googoosh, Shohreh, and Leila Forouhar to legendary groups such as the Black Cats and Andy & Kouros, and Tehrangeles starlets like Susan Roshan. With rare music video footage from the archives on display, this night invites partygoers to dance through a four-hour, curated programme that’s both historical and high-energy.
Disco Diaspora | 22 Nov, 21:30-02:00 | Mezrab
There’s always plenty to eat and drink but a few one-off nights make dining out even more enticing in the coming week:
If there’s one cocktail that summons a wintery feel, then it’s the Old Fashioned. So it makes sense that the official beginning of the winter season this weekend opens with Old Fashioned Week. Dedicated entirely to this amber-coloured whisky-based cocktail, over 40 bars in Amsterdam, including Sins of Sal, Vesper and Door 74, are out to create their own special variation of this classic drink.
Old Fashioned Week | 17-23 Nov | city-wide
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