Amsterdam Celebrates 750th Anniversary with Citywide Festivities Including Giant Cake and Royal Concert

Amsterdam celebrated its 750th anniversary on October 27, 2025, marking the official founding date from 1275 when Count Floris V granted residents toll-free transport rights on Dutch waters. The festivities featured a massive 75-meter-long cream cake cut by Mayor Femke Halsema, with slices distributed citywide, and culminated in a large concert outside the Rijksmuseum attended by King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and Crown Princess Amalia. Throughout the year, the city hosted numerous events including a summer festival on the ring road, where 75 couples were married and 750 trees planted, highlighting Amsterdam's rich history and vibrant culture. Despite its age as a settlement dating back to 1170, the official anniversary celebrated Amsterdam's growth into the Netherlands' largest city, now home to nearly one million residents and a major tourist destination. The city also faces challenges with mass tourism and debates around its iconic red-light district, reflecting ongoing efforts to balance heritage preservation and modern urban pressures. Amsterdam's historic canals, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and notable architecture like Centraal Station symbolize its cultural and economic significance since the Dutch Golden Age.