No longer the humble fishing village of its beginning, the capital of the Netherlands has grown from a 12th-century settlement to the country’s largest and most vivacious city, with an effervescent nightlife that draws visitors from around the world.

This year marks a number of significant milestones: the reopening of the Rijksmuseum following its decade-long renovation, plus the 40th anniversary of the Van Gogh Museum. An even weightier birthday is the 400th year of the canal ring, which earned a spot in 2010 on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The orderly girdle of channels, excavated during the 17th century, is known collectively as the Grachtengordel. Explore them during an evening cocktail, dinner or candlelight cruise on a silent, electricpowered canal cruiser while the illuminated city buzzes on the banks. Adventurous souls can rent their own motorboat — called a sloep — and explore at their own pace.

The best of Amsterdam’s legendary nightlife is centered in the trendy neighborhoods of Rembrandtplein and Dam Square at Leidseplein, where parties seem to be in perpetual motion 24 hours a day. Nightclub hot spots in Leidseplein include Jimmy Woo, where the jetsetters congregate, and Paradiso, regarded by music lovers as the city’s pop temple — perhaps partly because it’s housed in a Neo-Roman church built around 1880. On Rembrandtplein Square, the new Club Air sports an interior décor by Dutch design master Marcel Wanders, while Bimhuis, located on Piet Heinkade, remains a celebrated draw for serious fans of jazz.

Fashionable LGBT addresses near or on the Reguliersdwarsstraat include Club Roque, with happy hour nightly from midnight to 1 a.m., and Prik, where surprising and unusual cocktails are the specialty. In addition to great drinks and a smashing dance floor, Club Arc has excellent food and live DJs spinning well into the wee hours. Vivelayie, the city’s most popular lesbian bar, features an outdoor terrace that attracts devoted crowds during warm weather.

Close to Amsterdam Central Station, the Pluk de Nacht outdoor film festival takes place Aug. 22 to Sept. 1. Featuring a pop-up multiplex, the waterside grounds provide comfortable viewing along with deck chairs, campfires and cocktails. From July 27 to Aug. 4, the city embraces Amsterdam Gay Pride, highlighted by the ever-popular Canal Parade on Aug. 3, which attracts crowds of more than 500,000. The renowned Boom Chicago comedy theater, with largely improvised performances, offers outstanding evening shows. Afterward, try one of the city’s quirkiest experiences: the Amsterdam XtraCold Icebar, composed entirely of ice — right down to the bar, seating and glassware. Need to warm up? Simply change your location. Many of the city’s famous pubs, known as “brown cafés,” stay open until 2 a.m. So called for wood interiors and centuries of nicotine stains on the walls and ceilings, some of these cozy establishments date back to the 1600s.