Yayoi Kusama retrospective at the Stedelijk until 17 January: 32.50 euro for adults, a 10-euro top-up with a Museumkaart

If this weekend turns wet, the best place to disappear into on Amsterdam's Museumplein is the Stedelijk's major Yayoi Kusama retrospective: it opened on 11 September and runs until 17 January 2027, covering more than seven decades of painting, sculpture, installation, fashion and collage, including historic works never shown in Europe before and a new version of one of her iconic installations made for this show. The catch is that the ticket comes in two layers: the regular 22.50 euro admission covers the collection only, seeing Kusama costs a surcharge on top, and Museumkaart holders pay that surcharge too. So the real decision before you leave is not whether to go but which card each person in your group holds, which ticket to buy and which entry time to book. It suits families with children, students and Museumkaart holders; the next step is choosing the Yayoi Kusama ticket with surcharge and a time slot on the museum's site.

• What makes it specific: the retrospective is organised with the Fondation Beyeler in Basel and the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, whose runs have just ended, and the museum states that it has now become a posthumous tribute. Polka dots, mirror rooms and immersive installations are the draw, traced from her early work in Matsumoto through the New York avant-garde of the 1960s to recent work from Tokyo. (source 1)
• When and where: Museumplein 10, next to the Van Gogh Museum, open daily 10:00-18:00 with last entry at 17:45 and a 9:00 opening on a few days. There are two tickets: Entrance Yayoi Kusama (the whole museum plus the exhibition, with a start time) and Entrance museum (the collection only, no Kusama). From Centraal take tram 2 or 24, from Zuid tram 5. (source 1, source 3)
• Who it suits: visitors up to 18 enter free and pay no surcharge, so a family's cost sits almost entirely with the adults; Amsterdam Stadspas, ICOM, Rembrandtkaart and VriendenLoterij holders are also exempt. Every Saturday and Sunday there is a free 15-minute introductory lecture with a valid ticket and no reservation, in English at 13:45 and 15:15, but on Saturday 19 September only the 13:00 and 13:45 lectures take place. (source 2, source 4)
• Check before you go: the surcharge is tied to the date and entry time you choose and is valid for one visit; anyone using a reduced or exempt rate must bring the card, which is checked at the entrance. Museumkaart holders still reserve a time slot. Backpacks and cases are not allowed in the galleries and go into lockers, and the lecture room, Studio Canvas, is outside the exhibition route, so do not book it minutes before your slot. (source 2, source 3, source 4)

Do the sum yourself: the Kusama visit costs adults x 32.50 euro (22.50 admission plus 10 surcharge) + students or CJP holders x 17.50 euro (12.50 plus 5) + visitors aged 18 and under x 0; an adult with a Museumkaart pays only the 10-euro surcharge and a Stadspas holder pays nothing. Two adults with a 12-year-old pay 65 euro without cards and 20 euro if both adults hold a Museumkaart. Put in the card each person in your group actually carries and you will know whether the afternoon costs 20 or 65 euro; if you only want the collection, skip the surcharge altogether. (source 2, source 3)

Where

Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam

When

11 September 2026 to 17 January 2027・daily 10:00-18:00, last entry 17:45

Price

Adults 22.50 plus 10 surcharge・students/CJP 12.50 plus 5・18 and under free・Museumkaart free entry plus 10 surcharge

Booking

Tickets with a start time・Museumkaart holders also reserve a slot

Note

Surcharge valid only for the chosen date and time・bring any discount card・backpacks go in lockers

Hokimi field note: during the Kusama show the Stedelijk opens early on the first Saturday of each month from 8:00 to 9:15 for Stedelijk in Silence, a visit in the empty museum. If this weekend is just about staying dry, book an entry time around the 13:45 English lecture and cover the exhibition and the introduction in one visit. (source 5, source 4)