By Charlotte Schnitger
On 27 October 2025, the lovely city we call home celebrates its 750th anniversary. Upcoming fall might seem far off, but the countdown to the big birthday party starts right now, a year in advance, with some big events you do not want to miss. But before the festivities begin, let’s take a moment to appreciate Amsterdam’s rich heritage. How much do you actually know about the Dutch capital? You might be familiar with some facts, like how Amsterdam’s economy was originally built on the trade of herring and beer or how the city’s flag has three crosses on it, but Amsterdam is much more than that. After all, ask a real Amsterdammer and they will tell you that “Amsterdam has a feeling you find nowhere else.”
To give you a sense of this ‘feeling of Amsterdam,’ The Herring interviewed Elisabeth Grijzenhout, co-owner of the family business Café Nol, an emblematic and one of Amsterdam’s most famous traditional Dutch bars. Besides running the cafe, she hosts the podcast ‘Nol Lol’, in which she interviews guests just as iconic as the venue itself. Born and raised right in the heart of Amsterdam, Elisabeth is a real ‘Amsterdammer’ who knows this city and its people better than anyone.
When asked about one word best describing Amsterdam, Elisabeth responded “Bloedgezellig” without hesitation. A nearly untranslatable Dutch word, yet, if you have been here for a while, you have likely felt its meaning – a joyful, cosy, warm spirit. Elisabeth further describes Amsterdam’s unique vibe as always making her feel like a tourist in her hometown. “The city is never the same, when I drive around on my scooter, I always see something I previously hadn’t, whether it’s the orange leaves of a new autumn or the waterfronts filled with people enjoying a glass of wine in the sun,” she elaborates.
As we continue our conversation on the topic, Elisabeth acknowledges that she sees the city changing in other ways too. ‘Real’ Amsterdammers seem to disappear due to the unprecedented demand for housing in the centre and rapidly rising living costs. Sad, but true, many blame the incoming students and ex-pats for dissipating these born and raised inhabitants of the city. Elisabeth recognizes this negative undertone towards newcomers in the people around her. “It seems to become the new hype to instantly dislike whoever is not born and raised here. To me, that is complete nonsense. We are all just people, your new neighbour who just moved from the other side of the world is probably just as kind as the lady down the street you’ve known all your life,” says Elisabeth. According to her, it’s not the changing population dynamic that influences Amsterdam, it’s the changing times. “Of course, Amsterdam is not the same as 20 years ago, but that would never have fit to 2024 anyway,” she comments.
Still, there is a certain gap between born and raised Amsterdammers and the newcomers to the city. When asked whether this gap can be closed, Elisabeth answers: “If we were all less judgemental towards each other, and didn’t hate based on where we were born or how we were raised, we could learn something new from one another every day.” According to her, we should not try to change Amsterdam ourselves, but rather, naturally see the change arise through being respectful and kind towards one another. For the newcomers, this means adopting an open mind and using it in the uncharted Amsterdam territory to try to learn and appreciate the city as it currently is.
But where to begin with getting to know Amsterdam? Luckily, Amsterdam’s 750th birthday is coming up and it’s going to be celebrated with a capital C. Throughout the entire city, events have been organised to honour Amsterdam and its heritage. Whether you want to contribute to the capital’s nature by planting one of 750 trees or would rather join a citywide street football tournament, there is something for everyone. Even though some events might sound more appealing to you than others, the following three are definitely worth marking your calendar for.
Firstly, the most anticipated event of all: The Big Party on The Ring! As some may know, the city of Amsterdam is bordered by a ring-like highway route. To over a hundred residents, this 15-kilometre-long strip of highway sparked an idea. They organized for a part of the road to be closed off to celebrate Amsterdam 750. On 21 June 2025, the longest day of the year, this highway strip will transform into a free festival-like party with activities, music, and food to enjoy all day long. As The Netherlands abolished car-free Sundays (yes, this was really a country-wide thing for almost 35 years) in 1974, dancing on the highway is a chance you will not have again soon, so make sure you don’t miss it!
A little sooner, on the weekend of 22-24 November, over 30 places of worship throughout the city open their doors for “The Spirit of Amsterdam” festival. The festival has many different events organised at each location, from candlelight concerts to storytelling workshops. According to the organisation, it will be a night to “immerse yourself in meaningful experiences day and night and celebrate Amsterdam’s unique heritage.” With a range of activities to suit everyone’s liking, this is a perfect opportunity to get out of the bubble and visit some of the most beautiful (hidden) spots in the city centre.
Last but definitely not least, SAIL Amsterdam, which happens every five years, celebrates its 50th birthday this August, and it is supposed to be a big celebration. During the five-day festival, hundreds of Tall Ships enter the harbour to dock at the IJ-haven, where you can even step aboard one of them! In case you would rather keep your feet dry, there’s plenty to do on shore, with concerts in the SAIL Music Marina and spectacular firework shows. So, if you find yourself in Amsterdam over summer break, make sure to check this one out as well.
Want to see what else is on the agenda this year? Check out the official website of Amsterdam 750.
Interested to see more of Elisabeth’s work? Check out her socials!
Instagram: Elisabeth Grijzenhout
Youtube: Nol Lol
Spotify: Nol Lol
Website: Café Nol
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