Essentially Amsterdam – Sunday, September 27, 2026

Sunday September 27, 2026

Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: an electric taxi pilot launches across the city, Jean-Michel Jarre prepares to open ADE, and a circular bridge is lifted into place in Noord.

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

Vietnamese firm starts electric taxi pilot in Amsterdam: Green SM has rolled out an all-electric fleet across Centrum, West and Zuid. Introductory discounts of 50% are available while the company builds up its driver network.

Jean-Michel Jarre to open 30th Amsterdam Dance Event: The French electronic music pioneer will perform an opening concert at AFAS Live on 21 October. The festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary alongside the 50th year of his album Oxygène.

Two thirds of Amsterdam adults exercise weekly: New figures show local participation has risen significantly since 2016, beating averages in other major Dutch cities. Gym workouts and running remain the most popular choices.

Dutch restaurants multiply around Leidseplein for tourists: Streets near Leidseplein are seeing traditional Dutch menus replace longstanding pizzerias and international spots. Business owners report that visitors increasingly seek local dishes over generic dining options.

History plaques now mark 600 Amsterdam streets: A grassroots initiative adding photos and bios next to city street signs has passed 600 panels. The project began more than twelve years ago in Oud-West.

Hair braiding workshop connects Amsterdam fathers of daughters: An economics teacher launched practical hair styling sessions to help men bond with their daughters. The gatherings combine hands-on practice with discussions on parenting and puberty.

Helmersbuurt faces stricter holiday rental limits: The municipality plans to cut the allowed holiday rental period in the neighbourhood from thirty nights to fifteen per year. Officials say tourist pressure in the area has crossed key thresholds.

Circular bridge lifted into place in Noord: A new crossing for cyclists and pedestrians now spans the Tolhuiskanaal between Asterweg and Grasweg. Work to connect the structure to nearby paths will continue until next summer.

Houthavens exhibition gives platform to Rietveld graduates: Recent art graduates often struggle to find space to show their work after leaving school. A new exhibition in the Houthavens will host pieces by former Rietveld students for a year.

Global Harvest Festival traditions gathered at Wereldmuseum: Displays and activities trace seasonal customs across cultures, from Chinese Moon Festival to Argentine harvest rites. 27 September, Wereldmuseum. 📅 FESTIVAL / FAIR

RUIGE RAKKERS circus skills workshop at Pllek: A traveling circus crew sets up on the wharf so kids can practice juggling and acrobatics. 27 September, 13:00, Pllek. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP

SoundLAB family sound lab at Muziekgebouw: Adults and kids explore custom experimental installations and strange instruments together in a dedicated studio room. 27 September, 13:00, Muziekgebouw. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP

Soil creature open day on the Koeienweide: Guided walks run all afternoon across the meadow, focusing on earthworms, bugs, and underground life. 27 September, 12:00, Koeienweide Vondelpark. 📅 OUTDOOR / ACTIVE

SoWhat Familieconcert in historic Van Houtenkerk: Young children dance, clap, and sing along during an interactive hour of classical tunes and jazz. 27 September, 11:00, Van Houtenkerk. 📅 FAMILY SHOW

Woodworking, music, and jungle theater in Houtje: Two performers blend carpentry, acting, and live sound in an inventive stage production for small children. 27 September, 14:30, Theater De Krakeling. 📅 FAMILY SHOW

Arena dance party at Mega Kids Disco: Large-scale arena entertainment built for primary school kids, parents, and grandparents dancing together for ninety minutes. 27 September, 15:00, AFAS Live. 📅 FAMILY SHOW

Kleuterbios screening of Bumba: Het Circusorkest: Dimmed lighting and softened audio make this clown film gentle for toddlers visiting the cinema room. 27 September, 11:30, Theater De Landing. 📅 FILM

Pop-up Speelboscafé beside the nature playground: Grab drinks and quick snacks at an informal stall parked right alongside the children’s wooded play area. 27 September, 13:00, Noorderpark. 📅 FOOD / MARKETS

Homemade instruments and visuals in VANALLESWAT: Storytelling, eccentric sound gear, and projections come together in an intimate performance built for all ages. 27 September, 13:00, Splendor. 📅 DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Coffee, Croissant, Concert! with solo viola works: A conservatory student introduces Bach and leads an improvisation on Georgian themes inside the library branch. 27 September, 11:30, Café Belcampo / OBA De Hallen. 📅 FESTIVALS

The Pussycat Dolls return to Ziggo Dome: Nicole Scherzinger leads the American pop group through their biggest radio hits on an arena stage. 27 September, 18:00, Ziggo Dome. 📅 DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Mystery Ensemble plays The Best of Adele: Instrumental piano and string arrangements reinterpret anthems like Skyfall inside the brick arches of Posthoornkerk. 27 September, 19:00, Posthoornkerk. 📅 DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Peer Gynt on folk fiddle with Tchaikovsky: Hardanger fiddle virtuosity meets orchestral romance in an hour-long midday concert with drinks included in your seat. 27 September, 11:00 – 12:00, The Concertgebouw, Main Hall. 📅 DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Sober Clubbing: Sober techno party at Parallel. 27 September, 13:00, Parallel. 📅 ELECTRONIC / DANCE

Flemming brings Dutch pop to Amsterdamse Bostheater: Two sold-out open-air performances wrap up the live summer season within the wooded amphitheatre. 27 September, Multiple times, Amsterdamse Bostheater. 📅 POP / ROCK

Amsterdam Vinyl Club Sunday Sessions spin at Cafe de Knoop: Local collectors play soul and funk wax sets while visitors browse crates of records for sale. 27 September, 14:00 – 20:00, Cafe de Knoop. 📅 GAMES / HOBBIES

Buren Block Party terrace gathering by Cafe de With: Mark National Neighbours Day on the pavement terrace with freshly baked pizza, sharing plates, and live tunes. 27 September, 12:00, Buurman de With. 📅 FOOD / MARKETS

Voces del Sur participatory flamenco choir session: Sing along with a newly launched community choir meeting inside the Buitenveldert neighbourhood centre. 27 September, Huis van de Wijk Buitenveldert. 📅 WORKSHOP

Cantata BWV 114 at Bach in de buurt: Choir, organ, and solo traverso flute fill the church during a free community morning service. 27 September, 10:30 – 11:45, Westerkerk Amsterdam. 📅 DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Nederlandse Bachvereniging explores early European baroque: A curated concert contrasting different regional traditions and styles across seventeenth-century European composition. 27 September, 15:00, Muziekgebouw. 📅 DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Feest op zondag: Oogstfeest: Celebrate global harvest traditions at Wereldmuseum Amsterdam by dropping into the museum shop to craft your own decorative fruit garland inspired by Sukkot. 27 September. 📅 FESTIVALS

Sneakerness Amsterdam: Browse rare sneaker grails, curated streetwear and trading cards at the Kromhouthal, featuring live auctions, basketball showcases, DJ sets and Patta Academy talks. 27 September. 📅 FESTIVALS

BUNKA-SAI brings Japanese school festival traditions: Retro games, street snacks like takoyaki, calligraphy workshops, and live acts fill a former school gym. 27 September, SAKB KunstLokaal. 📅 FESTIVAL / FAIR

Dog Day at Museum of Illusions Amsterdam: Bring your leashed dog along to wander sixty interactive visual exhibits during a special pet evening. 27 September, 17:00, Museum of Illusions Amsterdam. 📅 ART / MUSEUMS

Risographs and independent zines at Print Market: Local illustrators and screenprinters display posters and self-published artwork to backdrop tunes by a live DJ. 27 September, 12:00 – 18:00, Werkplaats, Volkshotel. 📅 FESTIVAL / FAIR

Linden-wood puppets stage Mozart’s De Impresario: Five puppeteers work ornate carved figures to a recorded comic opera soundtrack in an intimate salon. 27 September, 14:30, Amsterdams Marionetten Theater. 📅 THEATER

IJburg Strand Obstacle Run through sand and water: Swimmers tackle beachfront challenges and water hurdles across tiered waves arranged for families and adults. 27 September, 13:00, IJburg Strand. 📅 SPORTS (ACTIVE)

The Greatest Swan Lake in the World at Carré: A large-scale staging of the classic ballet comes to the historic theater along the Amstel river. 27 September, 20:00, Koninklijk Theater Carré. 📅 DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Story sessions and puppet making at Verhalen festival: Listen to spoken tales, craft handmade puppets, and buy warm food around the community arts pavilion. 27 September, 13:00 – 18:00, Roze Tanker, Noorderpark. 📅 FAMILY SHOW

Art Safari tour of Residual Aesthetics Streetwise: A guided gallery walk walks visitors through urban aesthetics and raw street work across the warehouse. 27 September, 16:00, NDSM FUSE. 📅 TOUR

Try sledge hockey on the Jaap Edenbaan ice: Settle into an adaptive ice sled and test your puck-handling skills during an open sports-week session. 27 September, 13:15, Jaap Edenbaan. 📅 SPORTS (ACTIVE)

Flea market rummaging and vinyl records at QRU: Undercover outdoor stalls hold vintage clothing, books, and bric-a-brac while an organizer spins song requests. 27 September, 10:00, QRU. 📅 FOOD / MARKETS

ZAR THE STAR headlines Southend Comedy Club: An evening of English-language stand-up comedy unfolding live on stage in the city center. 27 September, 20:00, Comedy Cafe. 📅 THEATER

Readings and cinema in The Frame Cannot Hold the Ghosts: Three participating artists share experimental spoken readings alongside projected moving images in the gallery. 27 September, 16:00, w139.nl. 📅 ART / MUSEUMS

Free household goods on the Gratis Spullen Route: Canal-ring neighbours place unwanted clothes, books, and homeware on their stoops for anyone to take. 27 September, 11:00, STADSDORP BUURT 7. 📅 GAMES / HOBBIES

Behind-the-scenes architectural walk through Muziekgebouw: A walking tour takes you through hidden backstage corridors and backstage tech inside the waterfront hall. 27 September, 13:00, Muziekgebouw. 📅 TOUR

English stand-up sets at Cocktails & Comedy: A lineup of comics performs English routines while bartenders shake mixed drinks inside the comedy basement. 27 September, 20:30, Comedy Cafe. 📅 COMEDY

Finissage discussion for Forum 27an (Amsterdam Editie): Artists and visitors gather to reflect on residency research and discuss future plans for Klazien-o-theek. 27 September, 15:00, De Poorthuisjes. 📅 ART / MUSEUMS

End of Summer Wine Tasting with natural bottles: Sample four newly bottled low-intervention wines alongside oysters, cheese, and cured meats in a shared studio. 27 September, 16:00, Already Made Studios. 📅 TASTING

Cut your own flowers at Boekettendag: Wander the community garden paths to cut fresh blossoms, buy homemade apple jelly, and take home cuttings. 27 September, 12:00, Bloementuin van Darwin. 📅 OUTDOOR / ACTIVE

Untutored Life Drawing session in the cultural compound: Sketch from a live model in a relaxed studio setting inside the former film school building. 27 September, 13:30, OT301 (4bid Gallery). 📅 WORKSHOP

Craft a bag from museum banners with Studio Fiep: Learn eyelet fastening methods to build a crossbody bag from salvaged exhibition vinyl without using needle or thread. 27 September, 13:00, Van Eesteren Museum. 📅 WORKSHOP

Adrenaline Book Club opens with Viktor Frankl: Readers gather in person for a two-hour guided group discussion exploring Man’s Search for Meaning. 27 September, 15:00, The Pulse of Amsterdam. 📅 WORKSHOP

Interactive jams at the Music Improvisation Workshop: Bring your instrument for theatrical warm-ups, listening practice, and collaborative playing using provided backline gear. 27 September, 15:00, Q-Factory Amsterdam. 📅 WORKSHOP

Self-guided craft experiments at Open atelier: Pick among mosaic, beading, ceramics, and upcycling with provided tools during a two-hour studio slot. 27 September, 13:00, Amsterdam House of Arts & Crafts. 📅 WORKSHOP

Uncommon Ground hosts an open pop-up makerspace: Bring your own sketchbook, laptop, or sewing kit to work alongside other creators with no set agenda. 27 September, 08:00, COWO (Commandantswoning). 📅 WORKSHOP

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