One of the highlights of summer in Amsterdam is enjoying the beautiful weather and being able to do stuff outside. Outdoor activities don't have to be limited to the daytime; the Vondelpark features outdoor (free!) entertainment every weekend during the high summer season. This upcoming weekend is the last of the summer season, so now is your chance to enjoy this free entertainment on a beautiful Amsterdam summer night.

This Thursday, catch the 'Grachtenfestival' ('grachten' is 'canals' in Dutch, and the festival is a classical music extravaganza each summer) live in the Vondelpark. The finalists for this year's contest will take the stage at 20:30, Thursday August 21st. Within the Vondelpark, follow traffic to the 'Openluchttheater' (Open Air Theater) which is located in the center of the park. Be sure to arrive an hour early to secure a good spot since admission is free. The organizers are asking (for the first time) for a 1 Euro donation this year in hopes of making ends meet because they received less funding from the government this year. Still, at 1 Euro, this show is an absolute steal.

The rest of the weekend offers other entertainment than classical music; Friday is dance night and Saturday and Sunday are the last two nights of the summer festival in Amsterdam, so expect good performances starting Saturday at 20:30 from Roemer van der Steeg and Sunday afternoon with hip hop stars Pete Philly & Perquisite at 16:45.

Not much in Amsterdam is free, and this is one festival offering great quality at a very popular price in a highly enjoyable location.

Schedule at : http://www.openluchttheater.nl/programma.cfm?datum=2008-08-21&screenwidt...