Essentially Amsterdam – Monday, September 21, 2026

Monday September 21, 2026

Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: a runner breaks the Dam tot Damloop course record after 39 years, warm weather lifts the grape harvest at an urban vineyard in Sloterdijk, and researchers in the city open a sealed seventeenth-century jug.

The activities listed below are just a curated sample of what’s going on in Amsterdam. Check out our completely redesigned events calendar here.

Dam tot Damloop course record broken after 39 years: Asayech Ayichew finished the 16.1-kilometre race to Zaandam in 50 minutes and 5 seconds. Her late sprint beat a women’s course record that had stood since 1987.

Sealed seventeenth-century jug opened by Amsterdam researchers: A sealed jug recovered from a historic shipwreck has been unstoppered at the heritage laboratory in Amsterdam. The vessel contains an unidentified metallic substance that has left specialists puzzled.

Warmer climate boosts Sloterdijk urban vineyard harvest: The city vineyard at Sloterdijk is harvesting enough grapes to produce around 700 bottles of wine this year. Warmer weather patterns are increasingly favouring local growers while traditional southern European wine regions struggle.

Most Dutch cyclists feel less safe on bike paths: A new survey shows four in five riders feel conditions have worsened alongside faster bikes. Many blame other road users rather than their own riding habits.

New rail operators challenge Eurostar route to Paris: Multiple transport companies are preparing to break the current monopoly on international connections from the Netherlands. The alternative services are set to offer lower fares and different routes.

Weesp pushes for lower tourist tax rate: Local accommodation providers say Amsterdam’s upcoming tax increases should not apply to their rural area. The city council has asked the responsible alderperson to explore possible exceptions.

New Schinkelbrug bridge deck arrives for installation: The inner ring of the A10 Zuid will close overnight next week while three cranes hoist the structure into position. Strong winds could still alter the installation schedule.

Years of dredging restore nature in Ilperveld: Centuries of city rubbish and toxic sludge have been cleared from ditches in the peat meadow area north of Amsterdam. Native plants are now growing back on the old dredge storage sites.

Schiphol chief and Haarlemmermeer mayor swap jobs: Marianne Schuurmans and airport director Pieter van Oord traded places for a day to gain insight into each other’s work. The exchange comes despite ongoing tensions over aircraft noise and local health concerns.

Move Amsterdam updates its interactive children’s exhibition: The mobility centre on Stadionplein has revamped its Move Lab experience for younger visitors. The setup now includes dedicated activities for children aged four to twelve.

Design lab and creative making for children at OBA Osdorp: Children work with hands-on materials and tools during an afternoon creative workshop inside the neighborhood library maker space. 21 September, 15:30, OBA Osdorp – Maakplaats. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP

FilmClub Banne screens afternoon movies for younger audiences: An afternoon film screening takes over the dedicated youth corner inside the local public library branch in Amsterdam-Noord. 21 September, 16:00, OBA Banne – Jeugdhoek Suske en Wiske. 📅 FILM

Weekly acting and movement workshops for children: Children learn foundational acting techniques and expressive physical movement during an afternoon theatre workshop led by Sona. 21 September, 16:00, De kids van Amsterdam. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP

Kids singing and movement class with Tehuta: Young singers explore vocal exercises and rhythmic movement together in a weekly after-school group session. 21 September, 16:00, De kids van Amsterdam. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP

Debut album release for Mr. Ferocious: Four Orkater theatre veterans play steampunk country and murder ballads on guitars, drums, and upright bass. 21 September, 20:15, Theater de Richel. 📅 THEATER

Audition-free singing with The Space Choir: Dutch-language rehearsals open to all singers, working through pop arrangements from Beyoncé, Jungle, and Caroline Polachek. 21 September, 17:30, Tolhuistuin. 📅 CLASS

Allie Sherlock plays Tolhuistuin on her headline tour: The Irish singer-songwriter brings her touring pop show to the main hall on the north bank. 21 September, 19:30, Tolhuistuin. 📅 THEATER

Houston R&B singer Josh Levi performs in Paradiso’s Upstairs Room: Upstairs in the intimate room, the Houston singer and former child actor plays a set for the Tones series. 21 September, 22:00, Paradiso. 📅 DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Lush Oregon indie pop from New Constellations: The American songwriting duo shares vocal-driven melodies from their recent debut album in an intimate upstairs room. 21 September, 19:30, Paradiso. 📅 DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Amsterdam Cringe Festival brings awkward shame to the stage: Writers and comedians share their most embarrassing stories live on stage for an evening dedicated entirely to awkwardness. 21 September, 20:15, De Kleine Komedie. 📅 THEATER

Huib Modderkolk on state hackers and cyber espionage: An investigative journalist spends an hour and three quarters detailing how digital attacks infiltrate public infrastructure. 21 September, 20:00 – 21:45, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA). 📅 TALKS / IDEAS

Film screening, knitting club, and vegan dinner: Knitting needles and yarn upstairs, a curated film screening downstairs, followed by a DJ set late into the evening. 21 September, 20:30, De Nieuwe Anita. 📅 FILM

Music-inspired seasonal cocktail tasting at Law & Order: Sample autumn drinks blended around soul, funk and hip-hop grooves during an early-evening bar launch on Voetboogstraat. 21 September, 18:00 – 20:00, Law & Order. 📅 RESTAURANT

Eight stand-ups test new material over craft beers: English-language comedy in a working brewery taproom, pairing emerging local talents alongside seasoned touring performers. 21 September, 19:45, Two Chefs Taproom. 📅 THEATER

English standup sets and bar drinks at Monday Night Laughs: Four comics take turns on the brewery microphone after forty-five minutes of informal socialising over drinks. 21 September, 19:15 – 22:15. 📅 THEATER

HartBeat: Francis van Broekhuizen in conversation and song: Opera singer Francis van Broekhuizen shares career stories with journalist Jan van Galen, breaking for live vocal performances. 21 September, 19:00, De Kring. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS

Porsche racing simulators open at Move Amsterdam: Visitors can test their skills on virtual laps around Circuit Zandvoort on weekends. Five simulators are set up for drop-in sessions and guided workshops.

Practice speaking conversational Dutch at Het Vrije Taalcafé: Informal small groups gather over coffee to practice everyday Dutch conversation in a relaxed neighborhood setting open to all levels. 21 September, 19:00, Huis Vrederiks. 📅 CLASS

Free student freerunning trial session with Fit Earth: Students learn basic vaults, jumps, and obstacle navigation either out on the street or inside a dedicated movement gym. 21 September, 19:00 – 20:00, fé freerunning (Fit Earth). 📅 SPORTS (ACTIVE)

Drop-in Dutch language practice at OBA Oosterdok: People looking to improve their Dutch skills meet on the fifth floor of the central library. 21 September, 14:00, OBA Oosterdok – Glazenzaal 5de etage. 📅 CLASS

Outdoor mindful movement and breathwork beside the Vondelpark Rosarium: Bring a mat and warm layers for an outdoor evening session focused on slow yoga poses, breathwork, and guided meditation. 21 September, 18:00, Next to Rosarium. 📅 CLASS

Cross-border tax advice for American expats: Financial advisors break down tax strategies and investment rules for United States citizens residing in the Netherlands. 21 September, 18:30 – 21:30, De Bazel. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS

European Life Science Informatics Forum at Beurs van Berlage: Researchers and industry specialists examine practical uses, hurdles and case studies of artificial intelligence in wet laboratory environments. 21 September, Beurs Van Berlage. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS

Cafe Restaurant Metro: Located in Amsterdam Noord next to NXT Museum, this spot features its own bakery and serves lunch and dinner. You can enjoy drinks and snacks at the bar before ordering dishes from the changing menu.

Helling 7: Built from reclaimed shipyard materials on the NDSM site in Noord, this restaurant serves lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy their meals alongside open views over the IJ River.

Pepito: Located on Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat in Oud-West, this classic bar serves authentic tapas. Visitors will find dishes prepared by Spanish chefs in an unfussy neighborhood setting.

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