Open Garden Days Amsterdam
Annual June event in Amsterdam
Every June, for one weekend only, a selection of hidden gardens are open to the public. This has fast become one of Amsterdam’s most popular annual events, as you get to see a side of Amsterdam very rarely seen. Especially, when you may normally consider Amsterdam as a series of canal fronted houses, forgetting about the gardens behind.
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Over 25 gardens are usually involved in the event and it is strictly a ticket only affair. Museum Van Loon organise the open garden days to coincide with the third weekend in June.
When is Open Garden Days Amsterdam 2024
Amsterdam Open Garden Days take place annually on the third weekend in June. This year it will run from 14-16 June – 10am until 5pm.
Getting around
The participating gardens are often spread around Amsterdam. You will receive a helpful guide with your ticket so you can follow the route, but you may need to use the Amsterdam public transport to help you get around the city or you can walk/cycle. This years theme focuses on the canal garden as a backdrop.
Museum Van Loon
The Museum Van Loon organises the event each year and its gorgeous garden is one of the always included gardens you can explore. Other gardens are added each year and often follow some kind of theme. In 2024, this theme is “New and Old in the Canal Garden”.
In essence these are gardens you will never be able to see from the street. Canal houses are stacked together (like terraced houses) so you cannot see behind them. One of the added benefits is you often have to go through the house to get to the garden, allowing you to see the architecture of the buildings and decor too.
Some of the open gardens in Amsterdam will be museums or hotels, but there will be private residences open too.
Canal Gardens Fund
The annual event is designed to bring attention to the city’s ‘green lungs of the canal ring’ and part of the proceeds from the Open Garden Days goes towards projects that help make access to green heritage sites possible throughout Amsterdam.
Garden Open Days – Opening Times
The exclusive gardens open from 10am until 5pm on the third weekend of June 2024 (14-16th).
Tickets for Amsterdam Garden Open Days
This event started up again in 2022 and had not run for two years prior due to the pandemic. It is a very popular event, so it is advisable to book in advance if possible. You can book on the day too, but do not be too disapppointed if they are sold out. Once you have your ticket, it is valid for all three days, though you can only visit the same garden once (except Museum Van Loon’s).
Museum Van Loon Website is the place to book in advance. You’ll receive a voucher for what is called a Passe-Partout. You will need to take this to one of the locations listed below to pick up your passe-partout, this will contain all the addresses of the gardens involved in the event. You cannot find these addresses published anywhere before the event itself. These pick up locations also will be selling tickets on the days themselves.
- Amnesty International, Keizergracht 177 (pin only)
- Museum Van Loon, Keizergracht 672 (pin only)
- Museum Willet-Holthuysen, Herngracht 605
- Huis Marseille, Keizergracht 401
Tickets cost €20 each in advance and €22.50 on the day (exc. service costs) and under 12’s go free.
When is Open Garden Days Amsterdam 2024
Amsterdam Open Garden Days take place annually on the third weekend in June. Looking at the 2024 diary, June has a cross over weekend, so the exact dates are still not confirmed yet. It is likely to run from 14-16 June – 10am until 5pm, but this does need to be confirmed officially (we’ll update once we know).
Getting around
The participating gardens are often spread around Amsterdam. You will receive a helpful guide with your ticket so you can follow the route, but you may need to use the Amsterdam public transport to help you get around the city or you can walk/cycle. This years theme focuses on the canal garden as a backdrop.
Museum Van Loon
The Museum Van Loon organises the event each year and its gorgeous garden is one of the always included gardens you can explore. Other gardens are added each year and often follow some kind of theme. In 2023, this theme is “The Canal Garden as a backdrop” In essence these are gardens you will never be able to see from the street. Canal houses are stacked together (like terraced houses) so you cannot see behind them. One of the added benefits is you often have to go through the house to get to the garden, allowing you to see the architecture of the buildings and decor too.
Some of the open gardens in Amsterdam will be museums or hotels, but there will be private residences open too.
Canal Gardens Fund
The annual event is designed to bring attention to the city’s ‘green lungs of the canal ring’ and part of the proceeds from the Open Garden Days goes towards projects that help make access to green heritage sites possible throughout Amsterdam.
Garden Open Days – Opening Times
The exclusive gardens open from 10am until 5pm on the third weekend of June 2024 (TBC).
Tickets for Amsterdam Garden Open Days
This event started up again in 2022 and had not run for two years prior due to the pandemic. It is a very popular event, so it is advisable to book in advance if possible. You can book on the day too, but do not be too disapppointed if they are sold out. Once you have your ticket, it is valid for all three days, though you can only visit the same garden once (except Museum Van Loon’s).
Museum Van Loon Website is the place to book in advance. You’ll receive a voucher for what is called a Passe-Partout. You will need to take this to one of the locations listed below to pick up your passe-partout, this will contain all the addresses of the gardens involved in the event. You cannot find these addresses published anywhere before the event itself. These pick up locations also will be selling tickets on the days themselves.
- Amnesty International, Keizergracht 177 (pin only)
- Museum Van Loon, Keizergracht 672 (pin only)
- Museum Willet-Holthuysen, Herngracht 605
- Huis Marseille, Keizergracht 401
Tickets cost €20 each in advance and €22.50 on the day (exc. service costs) and under 12’s go free.
Why Amsterdam Garden Open Days is one of the highlights of the year
It is pretty easy to consider Amsterdam based on its waterways and cobbled streets, but behind every canal house there is green space. This was part of the planning of the houses and the gardens of the canal houses all interlink from front to back. This creates an internal green space of privacy for residents or hotel guests. Other than staying in the hotel or visiting the museum, these green spaces are private and hidden from view.
This is what makes the open garden days in Amsterdam so special. They are genuine hidden gems, a green oasis in a busy city. Somewhere to rest, explore and recharge. With our current environmental concerns, it is heartening to find green spaces, beautifully designed in places you may not expect them.
If you enjoy gardens then the Flower Market should definitely be on your list of things to see, as should Keukenhof Gardens in the spring. You can also explore our page all about the gardens, parks and landmarks of Amsterdam.
