In addition to businesses, residents, and museums, you will find much more on and along the canals. From special initiatives
to festivals. Below, we have highlighted some of these initiatives that we hold dear.
Amsterdams Grachtenhout
Amsterdams Grachtenhout is committed to giving waste material from the canals a second life. They create
products from material that is often destroyed during the renovation of bridges, quays, and canal houses
in Amsterdam. Furthermore, this work is partly carried out by people who find it difficult to find
their place in today's society. In short, the social message of Amsterdams Grachtenhout is at least as
beautiful as the woodwork. For the Museum of the Canals, they even made two beautiful wooden planters
that you can admire at the entrance.
Plastic Whale's motto is 'stop talking, start doing.' The foundation calls on people to fish plastic
out of the Amsterdam waters together. This not only ensures clean canals but also results in
bags full of old plastic. What is special about Plastic Whale is that they do not turn these bags into
a new problem for waste processing. They reuse the discarded plastic as a raw material to build
boats and office furniture. In this way, they contribute to a circular Amsterdam.
The colorful boat parade on the Prinsengracht has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. The Canal
Parade has a rich history and originated from gay activism. Today, the boat parade is
known as a day when love and celebration prevail. The dancing and costumed people
spread across 80 boats are an unmistakable sight on the canals. Approximately 300,000
visitors attend the festival annually.
At first glance, the Cat Boat looks like a normal houseboat, but you soon see that the boat
doubles as an animal shelter. It is a familiar sight for Amsterdammers, as the history of
this animal shelter dates back to 1966. Since then, the non-profit has been dedicated to providing help to
cats. They help the animals by caring for, neutering, vaccinating them, and much more. You can even
adopt a cat when the owner can no longer afford the financial contribution. The Cat Boat is
a safe haven for every cat.
The name says it all: the Bijzonder Amsterdams shop is incredibly unique. The shop is filled with
handmade items, created by Amsterdammers who are bursting with creativity and a drive to work. Amsterdammers
who let their talents shine, regardless of age, intellectual ability, or psychological problems. Because
behind every product is a maker who follows their own path and is given the opportunity to further
develop their craft at the Bijzonder Amsterdams workshops.
The Flowerbike Man leaves a visible trail in the city. His name is actually Warren, but his
iconic alias speaks for itself. It refers to the colorful bicycles that brighten up
the Amsterdam streets. Behind this initiative lies the inspiring story of his wife Michelle.
Health problems caused Michelle to sometimes lose her way. Warren's solution? A
bicycle that you always recognize. By now, there are more than 100 bicycles that make the city a little
more cheerful.
The Prinsengracht Concert is the focal point for thousands of people in boats, on the quay, and in front of the
television. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the performances on the floating stage on the
Prinsengracht for free. The classical concert was initiated in 1981 by Hans Duijf of Christofiori
Historical Instruments and Theo Inniger of Hotel Pulitzer. Traditionally, the program is still
concluded with 'Aan de Amsterdamse grachten' by Wim Sonneveld.
A canal cruise with Rederij Lampedusa is a personal and inspiring experience. They view the
Amsterdam waterways from a different perspective: immigration. The shipping company states that immigration
is inseparable from Amsterdam. That is why you take their canal tour on board a real
refugee boat that once reached the Italian island of Lampedusa. On their boats, you learn more about the
power of immigration; a subject that gains extra meaning through the team with roots in various
countries. In other words, Rederij Lampedusa is a jack-of-all-trades.
While cycling through the city, you immediately recognize when the Amsterdam Light Festival has begun. The
organization uses the city as its museum floor and creates a route of light installations. The idea
is that various artists are given a stage during the dark winter months. Visitors can
view their work via a walking route, but also by means of a boat trip or bicycle tour.
Those who listen carefully will discover that the canal belt has much to tell. An indispensable pillar of this
heritage is the hard-fought legacy of the early Black community in Amsterdam. Black Heritage
Tours brings this story to life and teaches you more about the hidden history of the city.
Furthermore, the tour provides a more honest and complete picture of the colonial past of the Netherlands. Much
history is not directly visible, but with the right guidance, the buildings reveal their
full stories.
The Amsterdam canals were made to be discovered together. From the water, you see the city with a new
perspective: the lively quays, the stately buildings, and the unique rhythm of Amsterdam. At Blue Boat Company,
they believe that this experience should be accessible to everyone. That is why the shipping company has
wheelchair-accessible canal boats, so that everyone can experience the beauty of the canals. Because
true Amsterdam hospitality means that all visitors are welcome on board.
The annual Amsterdam City Swim is a highlight for the Amsterdam waters. The goal of the
swim is to raise as much money as possible for research and support for ALS patients. Every
swimmer makes a direct contribution to recognizing and fighting this ruthless disease. In this way,
the Amsterdam canals become a symbol of fighting spirit, togetherness, and hope.
SAIL originally started as a sailing festival to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Amsterdam. Thanks to
its great success, it was decided to repeat the event every five years. The city shows its
best side when the impressive ships enter the Amsterdam waters. A highlight
is the beloved Pieremachochel Parade along the canals, where participants are challenged to build
imaginative vessels themselves.
Community Center het Claverhuis is by and for all residents of the neighborhood. The Elandsgracht would not
be complete without the Claverhuis. The non-profit organization is a central place in the Jordaan to
meet others, be creative and active, learn, meet, and contribute to the neighborhood.
This includes yoga or sewing classes, but also support in the areas of well-being and
health, housing, work, and income. The Claverhuis is there for everyone, and sometimes that just starts with
a cup of coffee.
Plastic waste regularly ends up in the Amsterdam canals. This not only has a polluting impact
on the city but also on the water that ends up in the North Sea. To tackle this problem,
the Great Bubble Barrier has developed an innovative air bubble system that prevents plastic waste
from flowing from the canals into the IJ. This project is a global first in the fight against
plastic pollution.
The whole city turns into a stage when the Grachtenfestival takes place. The festival encourages young
talent to present themselves to a large audience and professionals from the music world. This is
not only a valuable platform for young musicians but also supports their vision to take classical music
out of the concert halls. The result is a festival with free and paid performances that put jazz and
classical music on the map.
In the Boomstraat in the Jordaan, an old telephone booth now serves as a small library.
Thanks to the initiative of writer Hetty Kleinloog, book lovers can bring,
take, or exchange books here. On the shelves, we found, for example, 'The Gentleman from Peru' and 'Wonderland
Avenue,' but the true charm lies in the unexpected selection that changes time and again. Meanwhile,
the small library has become a recognizable point of connection for the neighborhood.
LGBTour
Amsterdam is a bit more colorful thanks to city guide Sanne. Her main focus is to make room
for the differences between us. These differences come into their own at the LGBTour:
here you can find everything from queer city tours to team-building activities. By now, Sanne welcomes
thousands of LGBTQI+ individuals, who listen to her stories that you won't find in books. Through
her tour, the historic center transforms into a lively map full of personal stories and pink
history.
