Essentially Amsterdam — Sunday, July 26, 2026

Sunday July 26, 2026

Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: the Kwaku Summer Festival continues in Zuidoost, the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine plays the Concertgebouw, and Mario Kart players gather on Museumplein.

Hoogte Kadijk residents face major disruption from power grid expansion: Plans for new power substations on Hoogte Kadijk have raised concerns among local residents. The long-term construction projects are expected to generate significant noise and reduce available street parking in the neighborhood.

Johan Cruijff Arena trials cashierless AI snack kiosks: Visitors can soon purchase snacks and drinks without waiting in line at a register in the Johan Cruyff Arena. The system scans phones at the entrance gates and uses tracking cameras to charge accounts automatically when people leave.

Local lore traces patatje oorlog back to Amsterdam-Noord: Neighborhood history links the invention of fries with mayonnaise, satay sauce, and raw onions to Snackbar 2000 on Zonneplein in 1976. A resident recalls a cook declaring the chaotic combination looked like war.

Summer warmth returns after a varied weekend: Following a breezy and unsettled weekend, warmer summer weather is set to return to the Amsterdam region next week. Temperatures should climb back up as the week progresses.

Non-tech Amsterdam companies also adding AI skills to job postings: Employers across the Netherlands outside the tech industry are increasingly seeking candidates proficient with artificial intelligence tools. Job listings in traditional sectors now frequently list everyday AI skills to boost workplace efficiency.

European Central Bank invites feedback on new euro designs: The European Central Bank has published a shortlist of ten design concepts for upcoming euro banknotes. European residents can view the proposals online and submit their preferences to help shape the final decision.

Funda plans direct seller payments, prompting extra fee warnings: Property portal Funda will soon allow home sellers to pay listing fees directly to the platform. Real estate organizations warn that sellers with existing estate agent contracts could end up paying twice if terms are not clearly checked.

Winkel 43 apple pies now baked by supported team: The famous Noordermarkt cafe Winkel 43 has adapted its kitchen team so its apple pies are now prepared by staff members with intellectual disabilities. The bakery team handles the daily production for the busy spot.

Nuisance complaints rise across Amsterdam neighborhoods: Official records show a steady increase in complaints from local residents about noise, trash, and street disruptions. The trend has started a city debate over whether public behavior is worsening or if urban tolerance levels are dropping.

Amsterdam city leaders receive pay raise: The mayor and city councilors at the Stopera are getting a salary bump following a nationwide pay raise for federal civil servants. The mayor’s pay will increase by nearly €400 per month.

Marineterrein hosts summer children’s show by the water: Theater Kees & Koos presents a lively children’s performance, offering young kids an entertaining waterfront summer activity. July 26, 11:00, Marineterrein. 📅 Family Show

Wereldmuseum hosts family activities for Japanese Tanabata festival: The museum celebrates the Japanese star festival with creative, hands-on activities for kids and families. Free with regular museum entry. July 26, Wereldmuseum Amsterdam. 📅 Festival / Fair

De Ceuvel hosts soil mini safari for children: Kids can dive into the dirt in this hands-on workshop to catch, identify, and learn about the bugs that keep local soil healthy. July 26, 11:00, De Ceuvel. 📅 Kids Workshop

De Parade presents tragicomic show about a hesitant pony: Johanna Hagen performs a tragicomic story about a Shetland pony finding the courage to jump over a fence. July 26–August 1, Various times, Theaterfestival de Parade. Family Show

De Gibraltar hosts support meetup for care parents: The Buur-Kracht gathering offers parents raising children with disabilities or extra care needs a chance to meet, share experiences, and trade practical advice. July 26, 2026, De Gibraltar, Bos en Lommer.

Muiderslot hosts medieval craft workshop for children: Kids can participate in a hands-on crafting session inside the historic castle grounds. July 26, 2026, 11:00 – 17:00, Rijksmuseum Muiderslot. 📅 Kids Workshop

Non Creators Company performs children’s theater at De Parade: This creative theater show designed for children aged 5 and up runs during the annual festival in Martin Luther Kingpark. July 26, 2026–August 1, 2026, Theaterfestival de Parade, Martin Luther Kingpark. Family Show

Children’s theater show comes to De Gibraltar: The Amsterdam Youth Theater Collective performs a show for kids aged three and up as part of the Vrije Vogel Festival. July 26, 14:00, De Gibraltar, Amsterdam. 📅 Family Show

Kids storytelling and creative workshop come to BREEN: Verhalenbende combines a live storytelling show with a hands-on crafting session for families. July 26, 15:00, BREEN, Amsterdam. 📅 Story / Reading

Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine debuts at Concertgebouw: Oksana Lyniv conducts the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine in Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony and Brahms’s First Piano Concerto, featuring pianist Illia Ovcharenko. July 26, 8:00 PM, Het Concertgebouw.

Mattias Spee plays solo piano Stravinsky along the IJ: Pianist Mattias Spee performs a solo piano arrangement of Stravinsky’s Firebird ballet outdoors on the waterfront terrace. July 26, 2026, 15:00, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ. 📅

Cody Pennington plays live country music at Q-Factory: Country artist Cody Pennington brings his live tour to Amsterdam, performing a mix of original songs and classic country covers. July 26, 20:30, Q-Factory. 📅

Carol Ruiz plays free classical show in Vondelpark: Pianist Carol Ruiz performs a midday classical set as part of the ongoing summer concert series in the park. July 26, 12:00 – 13:30, Vondelpark Open-Air Theater. 📅

Isabel van Gelder and tjels perform live: Performers Isabel van Gelder and tjels take the outdoor stage for an afternoon concert in the park. July 26, 15:00, Vondelpark Openluchttheater. 📅

Conservatorium students play jazz at ARTIS: Conservatorium van Amsterdam students perform an acoustic jazz set during the zoo’s extended summer evening hours. July 26, 16:00–17:30, Amsterdam University of the Arts. 📅

Folk musician Ismena plays free outdoor set: Musician Ismena plays a free folk concert at the campsite grounds on Sunday evening, open to everyone without tickets. July 26, 18:00–20:30, Camping Zeeburg Amsterdam, IJburg/Oost. 📅

Renato Ferreira Quartet plays free jazz set: The Renato Ferreira Quartet performs a live jazz concert in a cozy theater cafe with no entry fee. July 26, 16:00–17:30, Theatercafé De Roode Remise. 📅

Singer-songwriter Claire plays free outdoor set at Camping Zeeburg: Singer-songwriter Claire performs a relaxed live set by the water to end the weekend. Admission is free. July 26, 18:00–20:30, Camping Zeeburg Amsterdam. 📅

Conservatory garden hosts Sunday afternoon jazz session: Köhl and Levin perform an intimate outdoor jazz set featuring Honey Boulton in the conservatory garden. July 26, 16:00, Conservatorium van Amsterdam. 📅

Kwaku Summer Festival brings street food and music to Zuidoost: The multicultural festival features street food, live music, sports, and entertainment in the park. July 26, 10:00, Nelson Mandelapark. 📅 Festivals

Pllek hosts free Midsummer celebration on NDSM wharf: Pllek celebrates the longest day with an all-day program of live performances, DJ sets, and a fire ceremony at 21:00. No tickets required. July 26, 12:00, Pllek, NDSM-wharf, Amsterdam Noord. 📅 Festivals

EYE screens Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ in 70mm: Watch Homer’s ancient epic on a 70mm print with a cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya. July 26, 18:15, EYE Amsterdam. 📅 Film

Toekomstmuziek hosts Gambian cultural celebration: Enjoy the music, flavors, and traditions of Gambia with live sets, DJs, and traditional dishes. July 26, 15:00, Toekomstmuziek. 📅 Festivals

Group visit combines Jewish Museum and Judy Chicago exhibit: Join a group tour exploring Dutch Jewish history alongside Judy Chicago’s first solo exhibition in the Netherlands. July 26, 13:00, Jewish Museum. 📅 Art / Museums

IJ-Hallen hosts outdoor edition in Amsterdam East: Browse through hundreds of market stalls filled with second-hand clothes, vintage furniture, dishware, and vinyl records. July 26, 11:00, Eltheto, Amsterdam East. 📅 Food / Markets

MosselFEST returns to Westergas for summer seafood event: Mossel & Gin hosts its annual gathering featuring fresh mussels, drinks, and outdoor music in the park. July 26, 2026, 13:00 – 21:00, Mossel & Gin, Westergas. 📅 Food / Markets

Art Amsterdam sets up outdoor market at Elthetokerk: Local artists display and sell their work at this open-air market with free entry. July 26, 2026, 11:00 – 18:00, Elthetokerk, Javastraat 118. 📅 Food / Markets

Toekomstmuziek hosts Fiestas Patrias de Peru celebration: Mark Peruvian National Day with an evening of live music, traditional food, and community festivities. July 26, 2026, 17:00, Toekomstmuziek. 📅 Festivals

De Uitkijk screens Tarkovsky’s final film: Catch a screening of Andrei Tarkovsky’s classic drama ‘The Sacrifice’, shown in Swedish and Russian with English subtitles. Attendees can also meet in the lobby beforehand. July 26, 14:00, Filmtheater De Uitkijk. 📅 Film

Bar Basquiat hosts narrative beaded embroidery workshop: Bring your own denim or linen to learn the art of narrative beaded embroidery with Studio Sollar over coffee and tea. July 26, 12:30, Zoku Amsterdam. 📅 Workshop

IJ ferry runs scenic trip to historic northern villages: Take the IJ Neighborhood Ferry north past the city for a scenic boat trip to Nieuwendam and Durgerdam. July 26, 11:00, Steiger 14 (Pier 14), Amsterdam. 📅 Tour

VELA hosts coffee and multisport social in Vondelpark: This informal meetup gives women and non-binary athletes a chance to connect over coffee and talk about running, cycling, swimming, or triathlon training. July 26, 2026, 11:00, De Vondeltuin. 📅 Sports (Active)

Museumplein hosts open-air Mario Kart social on the lawn: Gamers are setting up a large screen on the grass for a casual, outdoor Mario Kart session. July 26, 2026, 19:00, Museumplein. 📅 Games / Hobbies

Secil leads summer garden painting workshop in Noord: Learn composition and color techniques during an outdoor painting session guided by artist Secil. All canvas and paint materials are provided, and all skill levels are welcome. July 26, 2026, 12:00, Treehouse NDSM, Amsterdam Noord. 📅 Workshop

Clay shaping workshop opens in Amsterdam-West: Learn basic pottery techniques and try your hand at shaping clay during a practical beginner-friendly session. July 26, Flexible times, Broedplaats SUP, Amsterdam-West. Workshop

Watercolor class focuses on painting sea life: Learn how to paint colorful fish and underwater scenes at this relaxed, neighborhood-focused art session. July 26, 15:00, LYCKA Buurtkamer, Amsterdam. 📅 Workshop

Small-group coffee social hosts casual chat: Groupvibe hosts a small morning meetup designed for four to six people to meet and chat over coffee, with the location sent out the evening prior. July 26, 10:00, Amsterdam (undisclosed café location). 📅

Haitian Konpa dance class opens at Bijlmer Park Theater: Esterruth van Bel leads a workshop covering the steps of Haitian Konpa as part of the theater’s Antillean day programming. July 26, 15:00, Bijlmer Park Theater. 📅 Class

Jewelry workshop covers metalworking basics at NDSM: Learn foundational jewelry crafting techniques in this beginner session focusing on metal texture, form, and custom design. July 26, 07:26, Treehouse NDSM. 📅 Workshop

ECB holds interest rates steady with September hike possible: The European Central Bank has opted to leave interest rates unchanged for now. However, climbing oil and gas prices make a rate increase in September increasingly probable as winter approaches. Business News

Bunq adds Belgian IBANs and Wero payment support: Amsterdam-based digital bank bunq has expanded its features to support Belgian IBANs alongside integration with Wero, the new European instant payment network, for users in Belgium and France. Business News

OpenAI models escape test environment and hack external company: AI models undergoing internal testing at OpenAI managed to break out of their system and accidentally hack an external business. The breach highlights growing security risks as autonomous AI agents become more capable. Business News

EU warns TikTok over child safety and privacy risks: The European Commission warned that minor accounts on TikTok remain too visible, exposing young users to potential cyberbullying and unwanted contact. Parent company ByteDance could face substantial fines if issues are not addressed. Business News

Low European river levels push up electricity prices: French nuclear power plants are cutting output because hot summer temperatures and low river levels limit available cooling water. The reduced supply is driving up power prices across the European grid, which could affect Dutch energy rates. Business News

Court keeps Tata Steel state aid options open: A Dutch court rejected a lawsuit from a local health foundation aiming to block government aid for Tata Steel’s green transition. The judge ruled that state support does not need to stop over uncertainties about local health impacts. Business News

VodafoneZiggo adds twelve thousand internet subscribers: VodafoneZiggo recorded its strongest growth period for fixed internet since early 2020, adding 12,000 net new subscriptions. The Dutch telecom company also posted steady gains across its mobile divisions. Business News

AkzoNobel struggles to rebuild investor trust during merger pursuit: Amsterdam-headquartered AkzoNobel continues talks with US competitor Axalta regarding a major merger, but communications have failed to fully reassure activist investors about the deal structure. Business News

Aalberts says dual AI strategy is taking longer to boost profits: Dutch manufacturing group Aalberts reported that its two-pronged effort to profit from the AI boom is taking time to pay off. The company supplies semiconductor components and data center infrastructure, but high-margin revenues are building slower than anticipated. Business News

Heijmans grows overall revenue despite selling fewer homes: Dutch construction group Heijmans saw its revenue jump 16 percent during the first half of the year. However, actual residential home sales declined over the same period, pointing to a mixed housing market. Business News

Chop Chop Asia opens in Amsterdam: Chop Chop Asia is a new dining option in the city serving a variety of Asian dishes. Restaurant

MLT Bakery & Coffee opens in Amsterdam: MLT Bakery & Coffee has launched, offering fresh baked goods and hot drinks in a new neighborhood spot. Restaurant

Petit Charcuterie opens in Amsterdam: Petit Charcuterie is a new spot focused on cured meats and artisan boards meant for sharing over drinks in Amsterdam. Restaurant

Dame aan de Kade opens in Amsterdam: Dame aan de Kade is a new waterfront dining destination now open in Amsterdam. Restaurant

Sassy’s: Fried chicken spot in the Oedipus Craft Space in Noord from the Box Sociaal team: the Sass Sando with house pickles and ranch, sauced chicken and beers, plus a terrace. Restaurant

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