In the middle of Amsterdam’s A10 ring road, a green oasis is taking shape with 750 large trees and 7,500 young saplings—a unique space where visitors can momentarily escape the city. Wander through the forest, listen to calming woodland sounds, join an urban ecologist for a walk, or paint your own birdhouse. After the festival, the trees will be planted across Amsterdam as a birthday gift to the city. This temporary forest is designed by landscape artist Bruno Doedens.
What you can experience:
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Embark on the Robin Wood Expedition through the forest
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Listen to mythical forest tales
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Join a forest ranger and learn all about biodiversity in Amsterdam
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Enjoy singer-songwriters and an interactive choir
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Discover how trees influence temperature inside and outside the forest with a climate scientist
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Take a seat at the 50-meter-long table in the heart of the forest—refuel with food and drinks and be inspired by unexpected encounters
Program overview
15:30-17:30Zone South
Mythical forest tales
Professional storytellers Victor Bottenbley and Leon-Mitchell will take you on a journey through short forest tales, highlighting stories from different cultures.
15:30Zone South
Meyendel
Music by Meyendel, a Dutch-language duo where the worlds of writer Jesse Evers and producer Ingmar Spaaij come together. While one makes the lyrics dance, the other lets the instruments speak.
Every 10 minutes between 10:30 and 11:00, and between 12:00 and 14:00, every 10 minutes between 15:30 and 20:00Zone South
Forest walks
Join a ranger for a walk! For one day, a stretch of the A10 will transform into a real forest: the Birthday Forest. No cars, just trees. No honking taxis, but singing birds and the gentle rustle of leaves. Together with the ranger, you’ll discover how special it is to suddenly find yourself surrounded by greenery right in the middle of the city. You’ll learn about the trees, hear stories about urban nature, and experience firsthand how nature awakens your senses. A moment to slow down, recharge, and feel what nature does to you!
10:00-18:00Zone South
Robin Wood expedition
Join the Robin Wood Expedition and explore the Birthday Forest!
Along the way, you’ll learn all about the animals that call the forest home — from tiny creepy-crawlies on the ground to birds high up in the trees. You’ll also discover just how clever trees really are: they actually talk to each other, provide shade, fresh air, and shelter for many animals.
There are fun little challenges, interesting facts, and maybe you’ll even find the coolest tree of them all. So put on your walking shoes and become a true Robin Wood — forest ranger, animal friend, and tree hero all in one!
10:30-14:00Zone South
Storytime for kids
Children’s book author Linda de Haan will read from her work, using large storytelling boards from her picture book I Want a Forest for My Birthday (published by Ploegsma). The author (and illustrator) will take you on a journey through the story of a girl who dreams of asking for a tree for her 7th birthday. But her classmates say that’s impossible if you don’t have a garden. “We’ll see about that!” she thinks. How will it all end? A tale about big dreams and a walking forest.
10:15-11:15Zone South
Genetic Choir
Genetic Choir is a vocal ensemble from Amsterdam that creates improvised and interactive performances, preferably in unusual locations — so a forest suits them perfectly. They are currently working on the soundtrack for the film Autobiography of a Forest. In the Birthday Forest on the Ring Road, they will surprise you with an interactive performance.
The Rachmaninov Chamber Choir, led by conductor and soprano Anna AzernikovaTheir home base is the atmospheric Nassau Church on the Wittenkade in Amsterdam, where over the years they have built up a loyal audience. Under the passionate and expert guidance of Anna Azernikova, they work on a choral sound rich in contrasts — from whisper-soft and intimate to powerful and moving. In the forest, they will take you on a journey through a classical piece inspired by nature.
