We are considering a trip to Europe in late Oct-early Nov. This may include Netherlands.
1) What's to do? We are not beach goers. We like museums (obviously Amsterdam has some). Is this music season?
2) Xmas markets - when do they kick off?
3) Festivals?
That time of year is fine to visit. It will start getting a little cooler, maybe in the 50s F, Rain getting a little more frequent, but not most days. Beach will not be a concern.
There are a slew of museums, not only Amsterdam, but Leiden, Delft, The Hague, Rotterdam, and more, all easy travel distances, even for day trips. Most slant toward the arts, but a few nice maritime/ship museums, topics related to WW2 (Anne Frank, Dutch Resistance, Market Garden), History, etc.
You will be too early for Christmas Markets, those do not start until about the last week of November.
For events, I can't think of any major ones, but I usually search where I am going with something like: "Events for Amsterdam October" or Festivals. Usually that turns up lots of things, from small to large, and usually musical acts or festivals happening, but by then, Taylor Swift will be back in the US on tour.
As for me, my favorite activity is usually to sit with a beer on a canal, just watching the city move around me.
It's always worth a look to see what's on at Paradiso. That's one of Amsterdam's oldest live music venues. If you filter for October and November, I can see some names I recognise. They have a gig pretty much every night.
You're probably too late for Amsterdam Dance Event, a music industry seminar / festival. That runs 16th - 20th October. Lots of shows on for that.
The Melkweg is another old Amsterdam venue.
If I were in town 5th November, I'd go see John Grant at The Melkweg.
We typically travel to Amsterdam in November and will be doing it again mid November.
As for weather..it will be damp and perhaps spurts of rain maybe 50 degrees or it could be sunny sna pleasant..it just depends on Mother Nature. I see you are from South Dakota so it should not be unpleasant weather for you in terms of chilly. Wear.layers is my advice. We only take carryon so we take one pair of shoes..leather that I spray with water repellent spray.
As for markets..the Netherlands isn't really known for those. The one in Maastricht starts end November and is nice. If you really want a market best to go to Germany or even do an overnight to Maastricht or a bit further to Aachen, Germany
Even if the weather is chilly or rainy a canal cruise is fun. It gives a while new perspective of.the city
Day trips by train are easy..Haarlem, Utrecht, Leiden are some suggestions.
Within the city it is fun to explore the Jordan and the fun pubs and great architecture. As you walk the side streets anywhere look up to admire it all.
