Candlelight Concerts Amsterdam

The Candlelight Concerts in Amsterdam are undoubtedly one of the city’s top attractions, combining the  magic of illumination with the power of music. During a Candlelight Concert, you’ll enjoy mesmerising music from beloved classical and jazz musicians, or iconic contemporary artists, all set against the backdrop of flickering candlelight. This uniquely intimate concert experience has earned rave reviews here and abroad, and it’s one you’ll unlikely forget any time soon.

At a Candlelight Concert, you’ll enjoy a live classical music performance, inspired by famous musicians or composers, in an intimate setting illuminated by thousands of candles. Different ensembles play at the concerts, so you can expect piano soloists, string quartets, guitar players or brass bands. With the exceptional music and special setting, don’t be surprised if you experience multiple “goosebump” moments.

Candlelight Concerts Amsterdam 2024

The list of programmes continues to expand, showcasing iconic artists and a diverse range of classical and jazz music, so that there’s something for everyone. The 2024 lineup, for instance, features performances by Queen, ABBA, Adele, Frank Sinatra & Nat King Cole, Coldplay & Imagine Dragons, Hans Zimmer and Vivaldi.

Amsterdam Candlelight Concert locations

The Candlelight Experience venues are the perfect backdrop for this kind of event.  The Candlelight Concerts in Amsterdam take place in characteristic locations such as the Tuschinski Theatre, Tropenmuseum (Tropical Museum), the National Maritime Museum (Scheepvaart) and Artis Zoo. Each venue is a notable historical site with a modern touch, ensuring the music resonates beautifully.

Candlelight Concerts in the Netherlands

Besides the various Candlelight Concerts in Amsterdam, these events take place in other cities in the Netherlands (and worldwide!). Similar concerts take place locally in Haarlem, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Dordrecht and the Hague.

Our experiences of Candlelight Concerts in Amsterdam

Queen

Phenomenal, intimate and soothing are the perfect adjectives to describe a Candlelight Concert. Whether you’re a fan of classical, rock, pop or jazz music, it doesn’t matter. Every music genre is transformed into a true feast for your ears at a Candlelight Concert.

We saw “A Tribute to Queen” at the Tuschinski Theatre in the heart of Amsterdam. The Tuschinski Theater is easy to find and hard to miss if you walk by. Once inside, we were promptly greeted by staff members wearing Candlelight Concert T-shirts. Our tickets were scanned, and clear directions were given about where to go, so we didn’t have to search around. Before entering the hall, two more staff members were ready to assist us, with one of them walking us to our seats. We found this very helpful, and a great personal touch.

During the concert, we had seats in Zone A, right by the stage, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the performance. However, the seats further back are also highly recommended, as from a greater distance, you can see the candles on the stage. The chairs are also very comfortable to sit in for the entire Candlelight Concert.

The concert began with an amusing intro that immediately got our attention. The concert started, and the fantastic string quartet played songs by Queen. The musicians were synchronised and fully immersed in the music, and they also shared some interesting stories and facts in between songs.

If you visit a Candlelight Concert, we recommend bringing a bottle of water. At the Tuschinski Theatre, you can purchase drinks beforehand, but there are also locations where this might not be possible. Additionally, arrive on time. Seating is arranged on a first-come, first-served basis. Although it’s an intimate concert and not all seats in the Tuschinski Theatre are sold, it’s nice to have a choice of where you’d like to sit.

In short, if you’re looking for a fun outing in Amsterdam, whether with friends, family or even on a date, the Candlelight Concert is a must-do.

Ticket for Candlelight Concert ‘A Tribute to Queen’. It is also possible to scan the tickets from your phone.

The entrance of the big hall were the Candlelight Concert was hold in the beautiful Tuschinski Theater.

The phenomenal authentic hall were the Candlelight concert took place.

The stage with the flickering LED candles for an intimate and romantic atmosphere.

The intro given before the concert.

The String quartet playing the last song. During the last song it is allowed to take photos and videos.

Coldplay and Imagine Dragons

There’s not much to fault when you combine an incredible venue, music from two of your favourite bands and the beauty of thousands of flickering candles lighting up the theatre. We chose the stunning Tuschinski Theatre to hear the tunes of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons.  The quartet, Hydra Quartet, was phenomenal and hearing these iconic songs transformed into classical arrangements was very special.

The concert kicked off with Coldplay’s “Clocks,” and from the very first notes, we knew we were in for a treat. Some of our highlights were “Fix You” and “Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay, and Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive” and “Natural”. Though to be fair, it’s hard to just choose only a handful of favourites. Each arrangement was riveting, powerful and moving, and the musicians’ energy was amazing.

The whole evening was exhilarating and captivating, and we lost count of how many standing ovations there were. It was one of the best things we’ve experienced in Amsterdam, and it was refreshing to enjoy music in such a unique way and in the comfort of a beautiful theatre.

Check out other fun activities in Amsterdam on our comprehensive “Best things to do in Amsterdam” page.