The wife and I went to Amsterdam back in January (man was it cold!) and we're looking to go back soon. Here is my dilema - I'd like to go during one of two different times: Next April or November of *cough* next year. I'd like to go in April because we'd love to be there for 4/20! But is it celebrated at all? Haven't heard/seen anything to suggest so. Next november is of course the Cup, which the wife wants to check out... Anyone have any suggestions??
Don't count on it. The fact that 4:20 is univerisal smoker language isn't that widely known among Dutch people, and while I have spent many of a 20th of April in a coffeeshop (not because it was 4/20, just because it's what I do), I have never experienced any celebration whatsoever. Most possible because we don't use the month/date format here, but the date/month. Some US smokers will be celebrating though, you can be sure of that. Just never met 'em Also, take into account the difference in weather between april and november. April can be very mild, November can be very harsh. Another thing you might want to consider ...
I prefer May. The weather might not be the best and you will need a thick and a light coat. Its still early enough to miss the huge people crowds. I would prefer June or July but i can never wait that long. Besides its always smoking season in amsterdam.
May or early September - May (its my birthday) September the weathers still really nice. Dont waste your money/time with the cup its a big rip off
First of all.. 4:20 refers to a time of the day (when school ends) and not so much to a date of the year (the ending of the schoolday is celebrated throughout the country every day by lots of students though.. often with weed *grin*) As for April vs. December.. April if you are here on the last day of that month, you'll have a blast celebrating the national holiday 'Queensday'.. it's a great party.. the whole city is one big flea market and there is music and food everywhere.. November also the end of November might be nice because of the oncoming 'sinterklaas' (the origin of the US Santa Claus) and Christmas.. great to feel the vibe and see the decorations.. very cozy time of the year. Hope it helped!
i arrived in amsterdam on 4/21 two years ago. it wasnt a big deal at all for me (in terms of "celebrating") because i had been used to living in spain for a while and nobody that i had ever met in europe knew of the concept of 420.
November is a good time to go for the cup--if you can deal with quite a few tourists--october is a great time to go because it is still fairly warm--mostly in the 50's--plus there is always more goodies to choose from --but it is really about preference. I have never been in april but I think it starts to gert warmer around that time--I would love to wear shorts in amsterdam.
