Amsterdam/Events/Literature

Literature Events in Amsterdam

Book readings, literary festivals, author signings, and poetry in Amsterdam.

Lesungen, Literaturfestivals, Signierstunden und Poesie in Amsterdam.

47 upcoming literature events

Meeleesclub

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 at 11:00

OBA Oosterdok (Public Library)

Join the Meeleesclub at OBA Oosterdok in Amsterdam to read along with a story at your level (A1–B1) and discuss it in a friendly, language-learning setting.

Voorleesclub

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 at 11:00

OBA Olympisch Kwartier - Open ruimte

Weekly reading-aloud club in Amsterdam's OBA, taking turns reading aloud and discussing a book.

Samen lezen

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 at 11:30

OBA Buitenveldert - Activiteitenruimte

Monthly senior reading session at OBA Buitenveldert with De Culturele Apotheek, featuring excerpts from novels, stories and poems.

Online Meeleesclub

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 at 11:30

OBA Online - OBA Online

Online reading club in Amsterdam for A1–B1 Dutch learners; join from any device to read stories together.

Libris Literatuur Prijs 2026

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 at 20:00

Felixmeritis.Nl

The Libris Literatuur Prijs 2026 short-list evening at Felix Meritis in Amsterdam features six shortlisted authors in conversation with Lucas De Man.

Diary of a Young Girl: Waterstones Book Club

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 at 20:30

Waterstones Book Club

Join Waterstones Book Club in Amsterdam for a reading and discussion of Anne Frank’s diary, The Diary of a Young Girl.

Off the Page

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 at 21:00

Cafepakhuiswilhelmina

Meeleesclub

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 at 11:00

OBA Duivendrecht - Open ruimte

Join the Meeleesclub at OBA Duivendrecht to read along with a story at your A1–B1 level and discuss it in a friendly, educational setting—more info: https://oba.nl/nl/agenda/meeleesclub-ae8a21d8-6141-4fd5-a93b-613297a9724a

Ester Naomi Perquin: Tot alles in beweging komt

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 at 21:00

Huisdepinto.Nl

Poet Ester Naomi Perquin reads and discusses Tot alles in beweging komt at Huis de Pinto in Amsterdam.

Boekenweek-special: HEERE ZIEN & HEERE HOREN

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 at 21:00

Torpedo Theater

Boekenweek special at Torpedotheater in Amsterdam featuring HEERE ZIEN & HEERE HOREN, a literary theatre evening.

Book Week: Heere Zien & Heere Horen (Sold Out)

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 at 21:00

Torpedo Theater

Book Week special reading Heere Zien & Heere Horen at Torpedotheater in Amsterdam, sold out.

OBA Javaplein

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 at 21:00

Studio 1, De Hallen Studios

OBA Javaplein hosts a literature-focused library event in Amsterdam.

An afternoon with Andrea Beck: Below the Surface

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 at 14:00

American Book Center

Andrea Beck discusses her debut YA novel Below the Surface with readers at the American Book Center in Amsterdam.

Unreasonable Hospitality: Book club discussion

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 at 15:00

The Daily 1%

Book-club discussion of Will Guidara's Unreasonable Hospitality, exploring how exceptional service and leadership can transform workplaces.

Ons geheime eiland – Vrouwkje Tuinman

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 at 20:30

Theater De Roode Bioscoop

Ons geheime eiland by Vrouwkje Tuinman unfolds at De Roode Bioscoop, Amsterdam, an intimate literary evening where language blooms and a secret island of mood and meaning unfolds before you.

Samizdat: Stories from the Underground

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 at 21:00

Mezrab

Samizdat: Stories from the Underground returns to Mezrab, Amsterdam, inviting fearless voices to trade whispered escapes, political allusions, and street-level tales in a candlelit, intimate literary night.

"Disappoint Me" by Nicola Dinan

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 at 19:30

Tea & Tears

Nicola Dinan's 'Disappoint Me' center-stages at Tea & Tears in Amsterdam, a sharp, tender literary fiction night where desire and identity collide with disappointment in perfectly timed, heart-tugging prose.

Café Vol Dichters

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 at 21:00

Studio 1, De Hallen Studios

Café Vol Dichters at 1 Amsterdam pours intimate literary magic into the room, where poets share brisk verse, warm banter, and Amsterdam cafe culture under soft lighting and hushed, eager crowds.

OBA Oosterdok

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 at 21:00

Studio 1, De Hallen Studios

OBA Oosterdok hosts a bright literary night at 1 Amsterdam, where author talks, spoken word and public readings drift through modern stacks and glass-walled halls.

The Power of Habit – Book Club Discussion

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 at 11:00

The Book Club

Join The Book Club in Amsterdam for a discussion of The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, exploring how habits shape behavior and how to rewire them for better routines.

"Critique of Pure Reason" by Immanuel Kant

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 at 14:00

Unthinkable

In Amsterdam, Unthinkable hosts a thought-provoking book club on Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, exploring how reason shapes knowledge and where human limits lie.

"The Stranger" by Albert Camus

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 at 14:00

Literary Classics Book Club

Literary Classics Book Club in Amsterdam discusses The Stranger by Albert Camus, exploring meaning, morality, and belonging through a thoughtful group discussion.

"Audition" by Katie Kitamura

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 at 17:00

Long Story Short Book Club

A book club discussion of Katie Kitamura's Audition at Long Story Short in Amsterdam, exploring shifting perspectives and intimate tension in literary fiction.

Michael Pollan: The Inner Republic

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 at 20:30

De Rode Hoed

Michael Pollan discusses consciousness and the ties that bind at De Rode Hoed in Amsterdam, weaving science, philosophy and personal narrative into a compelling literary talk.

"House of Day, House of Night" by Olga Tokarczuk

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 at 20:30

The Feminist Book Club

A Feminist Book Club hosts a discussion of Olga Tokarczuk's House of Day, House of Night, exploring literary fiction about home, history, and desire in a Polish border village.

Doomscroll

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 at 21:00

Perdu

Doomscroll at Perdu in Amsterdam invites literary fans to a cutting-edge evening with Dominique De Groen, Zindzi Tillot Owusu, Mischa Dols and Persis Bekkering—made possible by Letterenfonds and Makers Buiten het Boek.

"Our Sister Killjoy" by Ama Ata Aidoo

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 at 14:30

The Black Archives Book Club

Amsterdam book club at The Black Archives explores Ama Ata Aidoo's Our Sister Killjoy, a sharp literary fiction journey about diaspora, resistance to whiteness, and the cost of leaving home.

"The Argonauts" by Maggie Nelson

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 at 18:00

Dyke March Book Club

A discussion of Maggie Nelson's Argonauts at the Dyke March Book Club, exploring queer love, pregnancy, gender, and family through a lyric memoir.

Met Andere Woorden: Vrouwen en Literaire Communities

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 at 21:00

Library OBA De Hallen

Met Andere Woorden invites you to an Amsterdam evening at Library OBA De Hallen, exploring feminist literature and community building through lively discussion, thoughtful readings, and warm exchanges.

"Lady’s Knight" by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 at 21:30

Waterstones Book Club

Waterstones YA Book Club in Amsterdam discusses Lady’s Knight by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner, a fantasy YA tale of a lady-in-waiting in a deadly tournament.

Vers van het Mes 2026

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 at 22:00

Perdu

In Amsterdam’s intimate Perdu, four rising poets—Anne Ballon, Madelief Lammers, Myrthe Prins, and Luna Schuddinck—unveil bold new work after an intense 115-candidate selection, sharing fearless poetics and craft.

POËZIE IN CARRÉ III

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 at 22:00

Koninklijk Theater Carré

POËZIE IN CARRÉ III invites Amsterdam to a lyrical night on the gilded Koninklijk Theater Carré stage, where poets fuse verse, performance, and intimate storytelling under warm, historic lights.

Evan Osnos: Shadows of the American Dream

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 at 22:00

Pakhuis de Zwijger

Evan Osnos discusses Shadows of the American Dream, examining inequality, ambition, and opportunity in modern America at Pakhuis de Zwijger.

Dr. John Cooper Clarke

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 at 22:15

Paradiso

Dr. John Cooper Clarke headlines Paradiso, delivering razor‑sharp verse and blistering wit as Mike Garry opens, turning Amsterdam's famed venue into a punk poet thunderstorm.

Kaveh Akbar: A Language for Home

Thu, 7 May 2026 at 21:30

TOBACCO Theater

Kaveh Akbar performs a poetry reading at OBA Theater as part of Amsterdam's Month of Literature, exploring identity, belonging, and the American psyche.

Month of Literature: Writing Workshop

Wed, 13 May 2026 at 21:00

OBA

Join the Month of Literature Writing Workshop at Amsterdam’s OBA, where the International Writers' Collective guides aspiring wordsmiths through craft prompts, live feedback, and collaborative exercises in a welcoming, book-filled urban venue.

Explore Kinship Library stories

Sat, 16 May 2026

NDSM Online Archive

Explore Kinship Library stories at NDSM Online Archive in Amsterdam, a literary voyage through storytelling, community voices, and digital archive magic.

Rachel Khong: An Atlas of Us

Thu, 21 May 2026 at 21:30

TOBACCO Theater

Author Rachel Khong presents a reading of An Atlas of Us at the OBA Theater in Amsterdam, exploring identity, belonging, and the American psyche as part of the city's Month of Literature.

Bryan Stevenson: The Unfinished Promise of American Justice

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 at 21:30

De Duif

Bryan Stevenson speaks in Amsterdam on the unfinished promise of American justice, exploring legacies that shape the legal system.

De Parade: Mher Brutyan

Fri, 24 Jul 2026

De Parade - M.L. Kingpark

Experience a poetry whispering performance by Mher Brutyan at De Parade in M.L. Kingpark, Amsterdam. An intimate literary moment amid a lively park festival, pairing spoken verse with festival atmosphere.

Joost Oomen leest voor

Fri, 24 Jul 2026

De Parade - M.L. Kingpark

Join Dutch author Joost Oomen for a live reading at De Parade in M.L. Kingpark, Amsterdam. An intimate, family-friendly literary moment in a festive outdoor setting, where stories come alive under park vibes and summer festival air.

Boekenruil Tussen de Regels

Mon, 15 Feb 2027 at 15:00

De Nieuwe Anita

Book swap event at De Nieuwe Anita in Amsterdam, inviting attendees to exchange books, discover new reads, and connect with the community.

Boekpresentatie Archipel in inkt

Thu, 4 Mar 2027 at 21:00

De Nieuwe Anita

At De Nieuwe Anita in Amsterdam, Boekpresentatie Archipel inkt launches a book presentation and week of programming with independent presses, intimate readings, and a cozy, artful atmosphere.

Met Andere Woorden: Vrouwen en Literaire Communities

Hal West

Discussion on women's voices in literary communities at Hal West, Amsterdam.

Book Signing & Art Sale

EYE Filmmuseum

Join a book signing by Joanna Quinn and an art sale with Monique Renault at Eye Filmmuseum, Amsterdam.

Smut Slam – Behind the Screen

De Nieuwe Anita

Smut Slam – Behind the Screen at De Nieuwe Anita in Amsterdam hosts an erotic reading/slam night for adults.

Schrijfcafé Tussen de Regels

De Nieuwe Anita

A Dutch writing café at De Nieuwe Anita in Amsterdam invites writers to write, share, and connect.