The Amsterdam Museum is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with a 100-day festival featuring public events across the city. Running from September 3 to December 11, 2026, the program includes local stories, new exhibitions, boat tours, and daily object highlights.
A century of city history
The institution first opened its doors on November 2, 1926, inside the historical Waag on Nieuwmarkt. Originally known as the Amsterdams Historisch Museum, it was established under the municipal museum service to collect and preserve the story of the capital.
Over the past century, its collection has expanded to more than 100,000 items, ranging from 17th-century civic guard portraits to contemporary art and everyday objects.
Major moments in its history include moving to the former city orphanage on Kalverstraat in 1975, renaming itself the Amsterdam Museum in 2011, and starting a major renovation of its main historic building in 2022.
Local voices and unique objects
As part of the centenary program, the museum is highlighting 100 items from its collection alongside 100 residents who share what those objects mean to them. Each day for 100 days, a single piece will take center stage through local personal perspectives.
A ten-part video podcast series will also accompany the festival, featuring conversations between museum curators and residents. Guests taking part in the media series include tattoo artist Henk Schiffmacher, writer Ellen Deckwitz, and artist Natasja Kensmil.
Citywide festival activities
The wider Amsterdam Museum Festival will feature daily activities targeted at different audiences across various neighborhood locations. The program also includes the release of two anniversary books, specialized canal cruises, and new temporary displays.
While the main Kalverstraat complex remains under renovation in partnership with the city council, the museum continues to operate fixed public sites at Museum Willet-Holthuysen on Herengracht and a temporary location at Cultuurpark Westergas.
