May 4 (Commemoration Day) and May 5 (Liberation Day) in Amsterdam

On May 4, the victims of the Second World War are commemorated throughout the Netherlands.
May 5 is Liberation Day: on May 5, 1945 the Germans capitulated, and Holland was officially liberated.

The main national ceremony takes place on Dam Square.

The ceremoney starts at 7.26pm. At 7.58pm, Queen Beatrix and Crown Prince Willem Alexander lay a wreath at the National Monument on Dam Square.

At 8pm there is a (national) two minutes' silence. Traditionally, this is also observed in bars and pubs (but not observed everywhere), and traffic will partly come to a standstill.

After the 2 minutes' silence there are some speeches, and more wreath-layings, by many organizations.

The entire ceremony is also broadcast live on tv.

May 5, Liberation Day

May 5 is celebrated as Liberation Day.
The main event of that day is the free open-air concert on the river Amstel, near the Carré Theater, a few minutes walk from the City Hall along the Amstel.
The concert (classical music) starts at 9pm. If you would like to attend, it is advisable to come early, to secure a good place.
There will be hundreds of boats in the Amstel.
The Queen will attend the concert. She will arrive and leave by boat.

On Liberation Day there will also be various performances and concerts on squares in the city center (Dam Square, Nes and Beursplein).
This festival will be from 2pm to 11pm.

Flags

On May 4 the Dutch flag will be flown half-mast on official buildings. On May 5 the flag will be flown normally.


View May 4 and 5 in Amsterdam in a larger map