Amsterdam commemorated its 750th anniversary on Saturday with a large-scale celebration held on a closed section of the A10 ring road. The festivities, which took place on the longest and hottest day of the year thus far, drew approximately 253,000 ticket holders.

A 15-kilometer portion of the A10 highway was shut down to vehicular traffic starting Friday evening and is scheduled to reopen Sunday afternoon, following cleanup efforts.

The event featured a diverse array of activities, including a 3.5-kilometer race inaugurated by Mayor Femke Halsema, who described it as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.

Twenty couples exchanged vows in a group wedding ceremony. Attendees also had the chance to explore a temporary forest, offering shaded relief from the soaring temperatures.

In total, 22 organized activities were available along the ring road, encompassing music performances, sporting events such as padel, and dedicated children’s programs. While certain areas, particularly near the music stages, experienced higher foot traffic, visitors generally enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the road, capturing photos with traffic signs and other landmarks. The festival concluded at 10 pm on Saturday.