Dutch National Opera & Ballet

Costume Sale

Dutch National Opera & Ballet

Check availability

Photo: Igrien Liu | Hair & make-up: Elise Langenhuisen

Dates

25 & 26 November 2023

Location

Production Workshop, Kollenbergweg 1

Running time

Various time slots

Tickets

€ 7,50

From our stage to your wardrobe

Coming soon: our biggest costume sale ever! On Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 November, Dutch National Opera & Ballet will be selling off numerous exclusive costumes and items of clothing. These high-quality handmade objects come from our own studios and were worn by world-famous performers. Will you offer these remarkable clothes a new home?

How it works

The costume sale will take place in our Production Workshop in Amsterdam-Zuidoost (Kollenbergweg 1). It will be divided into several sessions: three on Saturday 25 November and two on Sunday 26 November. New costumes will be added to the assortment on offer at the start of each new session, so you will always have a chance of nailing something special regardless of the session. The costumes are from around sixty Dutch National Opera productions and one Dutch National Ballet production (Don Giovanni). In addition to costumes, the sale will include hats, shoes and rolls of fabric. Prices range from € 1 to € 450.

Tickets cost € 7.50 and each ticket gives you access to one of the five sale sessions; you choose your preferred time slot when you buy your ticket. Ticket sales start on 2 November at 12:00. The proceeds will go towards the introduction of a barcoding programme in the Production Workshop. This will enable the complete digitalisation of the Costumes and Wigs & Make-up storage.

Costume cycle

At Dutch National Opera & Ballet, we aim to reuse all our costumes, so we store everything in large warehouses until an item can be put to use again. But some costumes are too specific, or were last worn a very long time ago. Rather than throwing these unique items away, we prefer to give them a new lease of life by offering them for sale to the general public. That way, we keep the materials in circulation for longer and people get even more pleasure out of the amazing creations produced by our studios. Perhaps you could put an item on display in your home, use it for costume events at your club or society, or even wear it as a new outfit!

“The sale always attracts huge interest, which is not surprising as our warehouse is a true Aladdin’s cave!”

Robby Duiveman, Costume and Wigs & Make-up director

Practical information

Sustainability

Because sustainability is a key goal of the costume sale, we kindly ask that you bring your own (carry-on) bag for any purchases.

Bicycle parking

There will be temporary bicycle stands at the front of the Production Workshop, along Hoogoorddreef, where you may park your bike. From here, follow the marked path to the entrance.

Public transport

Visitors from all around the Netherlands are expected. As a result, we’d like to inform you that railway work is scheduled for the weekend of 25 and 26 November, including around Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport. Travelling via public transport? Plan your trip using ns.nl or 9292ov.nl.

Parking

Parking is available in P10 Plaza (814 parking spaces). The Production Workshop is about a 10-minute walk from the parking garage, with directions provided.

Timeslots

You reserve a ticket for a two-hour time slot. You are welcome to attend the costume sale during the times specified. Please keep in mind that you may enter the venue from 30 minutes before the start of the time slot until 30 minutes before the end time.

For instance, are you reserving the time slot from 10:00 to 12:00? Then, beginning at 9:30, you will have access to the venue (waiting area). The sales section will then open at 10:00. If you arrive later, you can still enter until 11:30. At 12:00, the sales area closes. You must arrive at the checkout by 12:00.

No maximum amount of items

Unlike prior editions of the costume sale, there is no limit on the amount of goods that can be purchased this time. Furthermore, the selection for sale will be restocked per time slot, ensuring that all visitors have an equal opportunity to obtain exclusive costumes.

Payment options

At the costume sale, it is only possible to pay by PIN (no cash, no credit cards).

Accessibility

The costume sale is wheelchair accessible. Please keep in mind that there are only a limited number of seats available in the waiting area, sales area, and checkout area.

Children

We do not recommend bringing very young children (babies) due to the format of the event and the high number of visitors we expect.

Food and drinks

There are no catering facilities at the costume sale location. You are welcome to bring your own, but please keep in mind that food or drinks are not permitted in the sales area to protect the costumes.

Toilets

Toilets are only available at the entrance and exit.

Clothing advice

The costume sale takes place at our Production Workshop. We emphasise that this is a workshop, not a shop or a theatre. At this time of year, the temperature in some rooms can vary, therefore we recommend wearing a warm coat and shoes.

Bag check

Please be aware that bag searches may be conducted. In that scenario, you should obey the security guards’ directions.

Camera crews

On Saturday, several press photographers and camera crews will be present. Would you prefer not to be photographed? Then please get in touch with one of the press managers who will accompany journalists. The press managers wear nameplates with the Dutch National Opera & Ballet logo.