Essentially Amsterdam – Thursday, October 15, 2026

Thursday October 15, 2026

Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: more than 50,000 people sign a petition to save the over-65 travel discount, the Oude Kerk marks 300 years of its organ with a marathon, and Liars bring late-night experimental rock to Paradiso.

Amsterdam plans to open an unhealthy restaurant, then block it: The city plans to open an unhealthy restaurant with a research partner and then refuse its own permit. A judge will then decide whether health can be grounds for saying no.

Oostbrug to Noord faces €169.5 million funding gap: The planned cycling and walking bridge from the Eastern Docklands to Noord is still at least €169.5 million short. An opening in 2034 now looks unlikely, and more clarity is expected in spring 2027.

A student recalls five months in a cell at Amsterdam’s Bijlmerbajes: A former international student has described renting a 10m2 cell with barred windows in the converted prison for €550 a month. The complex has since been demolished to make way for around 1,350 homes.

Plantage Middenlaan cycle paths to become wide pavements: Roadworks began on the Plantage Middenlaan in Amsterdam on 13 October as part of a full redesign of the street. Cyclists will move onto the roadway, and the work should finish in April 2027.

Amsterdam’s E. coli-hit fountains expected back on around April 2027: Six of the nineteen fountains Amsterdam switched off over E. coli contamination are in West. Investigation results are due in November, and a restart is expected around April 2027.

Over 50,000 sign petition to save over-65 travel discount: Groups representing older people gave MPs a petition while parliament debated ending the 34% senior discount on regional transport. The government plans to make travel free for primary school children instead.

Oud-West gets Amsterdam’s first crumble bakery: Julia and Janek opened Krush as a temporary pop-up on Jacob van Lennepstraat on 3 October. Their Polish-style apple crumble comes warm with vanilla custard, and the pair are testing other flavours.

De Hallen funds seven Amsterdam West neighbourhood projects: De Hallen has set aside €10,000 through Mensen Maken Amsterdam for local projects. One recipient, De Fanclub, starts free gatherings in De Baarsjes on 2 November.

Harry Styles concerts in Amsterdam pushed up Dutch inflation in May: The ten-concert run at the Johan Cruijff Arena helped push prices higher in May, according to De Nederlandsche Bank. Hotel stays and concert tickets saw especially sharp increases.

Oude Kerk marks 300 years of its organ with a marathon: The celebrations include an evening concert of newly written music alongside the daytime marathon. The church says it will keep the organ in its own programme rather than rent it to outside users.

Autumn holiday experiments and fort stories on Pampus: Families can make sauerkraut, test clean water, experiment with energy and craft recycled-material lanterns in the fort’s lab. 15 October, 11:00 – 16:00, Forteiland Pampus. MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL

A family dusk walk in search of bats and owls: A guide leads families with children aged eight to fourteen in search of bats, owls, mice and moths at dusk. 15 October, 18:15 – 20:15, Bezoekerscentrum Gooi en Vechtstreek. OUTDOOR / ACTIVE

Free children’s Bioblitz explores Sloterpark wildlife: Children explore Sloterpark’s plants and animals, from water creatures and birds to insects, mushrooms, trees and wildflowers. 15 October, 13:30 – 16:30, De Natuurkamer. KIDS WORKSHOP

A missing cat sparks a children’s music-theatre search: Tee, Ee and Jee search for their missing cat in a music-theatre story about meeting and saying goodbye. 15 October, 15:00, Bijlmer Parktheater. FAMILY SHOW

Anansi outwits a greedy tiger in children’s theatre: A greedy tiger empties the fridge, and Anansi uses a clever plan to outwit him in this musical show for children. 15 October, 11:00, Theater De Krakeling. FAMILY SHOW

A family archive escape game with five codes to crack: Teams of up to five solve clues and crack five codes in the archive’s treasure room, with teamwork required. 15 October, 15:00, Stadsarchief Amsterdam – De Bazel. KIDS WORKSHOP

Niall Horan’s solo pop songs, including “Slow Hands”: The Irish singer performs solo pop songs, including “Slow Hands,” after first reaching audiences with One Direction. 15 October, 18:00, Ziggo Dome. POP / ROCK

Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings film music: Mystery Ensemble plays Howard Shore’s music from the Lord of the Rings films as a tribute to the composer. 15 October, all day, Zuiderkerk. DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Queen Sing-a-long turns the crowd into the chorus: The audience sings along to Queen songs, with the room joining familiar rock choruses throughout the performance. 15 October, 20:30, Theater de Omval. POP / ROCK

Liars bring late-night experimental rock to Paradiso: Angus Andrew’s long-running project features a live ensemble of collaborators, with Clara Croft performing earlier in the evening. 15 October, 23:00, Paradiso. POP / ROCK

Candlelight: Hans Zimmer film scores by string quartet: A string quartet plays Hans Zimmer film scores by candlelight in a 60-minute concert, with seating assigned by zone. 15 October, 18:30, Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski. CLASSICAL

Ora The Molecule opens for Young The Giant: Young The Giant shares the bill with Ora The Molecule, whose support set precedes the band’s main programme. 15 October, 19:30, Paradiso. POP / ROCK

Candlelight pairs Coldplay and Imagine Dragons songs: A string quartet performs Coldplay and Imagine Dragons songs by candlelight in a 60-minute concert, with seating allocated by zone. 15 October, 21:00, Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski. POP / ROCK

Gretchen Parlato Quartet explores Brazilian songs and Bach: The quartet combines songs from Parlato’s new album with Brazilian composers and a Bach cello suite. 15 October, 20:30 – 22:00, Bimhuis. JAZZ / BLUES

Martin Fröst and Roland Pöntinen play French chamber music: Clarinetist Martin Fröst and pianist Roland Pöntinen play French works by Chausson, Debussy, Saint-Saëns and Messiaen, with an interval. 15 October, 20:15, The Concertgebouw. CLASSICAL

Free Bands & Bites brings live music to De Hallen: A new musician plays each month, with bites and drinks available in the Foodhallen and free entry for listeners. 15 October, 17:00 – 19:00, De Hallen. DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Jazz, club rhythms and soul in corto.alto’s live set: Glasgow-based multi-instrumentalist Liam Shortall switches between bass, synths and trombone, leading a collective through jazz, club, hip-hop and soul. 15 October, 20:30, Tolhuistuin. JAZZ / BLUES

Creatives Connect: quick introductions, then open networking: Quick table-to-table conversations help artists and other creatives exchange contacts before an open networking session. 15 October, 19:00 – 22:00, Zoku Amsterdam. NETWORKING

Externalities and System-Level Investing: Bridging Research and Practice: Investors examine how portfolio externalities can be understood and acted on through an interactive discussion and brainstorming, under Chatham House rules. 15 October, 10:30 – 12:30, nhow Amsterdam RAI. SEMINAR / TALK

Free Wervelwind opens Tetterode’s 45th-anniversary festival: Free Wervelwind opens Tetterode’s 45th-anniversary weekend with an exhibition, followed by talks, open studios, films, workshops and performances. 15 October, Woonwerkpand Tetterode. FESTIVALS

Swan Lake follows a prince and a woman cursed as a swan: Tchaikovsky’s ballet follows Prince Siegfried and Odette, cursed to become a swan, in a production with two intervals. 15 October, 19:30, Nationale Opera & Ballet, Grote Zaal. DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Marathon Expo Amsterdam gathers running gear and sports brands: Across three days, brands present running shoes, sportswear, performance products, health, nutrition and lifestyle goods for runners and other sports fans. 15 October, 15 Oct 13:00 – 20:00; 16 Oct 1, RAI Amsterdam, Entrance K. SPORTS

In the Name of the Father, with Dutch subtitles: The 1993 film follows Gerry Conlon, coerced into confessing to an IRA bombing, and is screened in English with Dutch subtitles. 15 October, 18:00 – 21:00, FilmHallen. FILM

STRAAT by NIGHT: graffiti culture after hours: The evening programme centres on ART IS NOT A CRIME, an exhibition documenting graffiti culture through Henry Chalfant’s work. 15 October, 10:00, STRAAT Museum. ART / MUSEUMS

The Hilarious Deep Amazing Amsterdam Comedy Show with Gilli Apter: South African comedian Gilli Apter performs a 16-plus stand-up show, with possible appearances from guest comedians. 15 October, 20:00, Theater De Richel. THEATER

Creative writing exercises for stories, poems, blogs and lyrics: This sold-out session uses easy exercises and plenty of writing to help people begin stories, blogs, poems or lyrics. 15 October, 19:00 – 21:00, Zoku Amsterdam. WORKSHOP

Free English practice with stories, speeches and peer feedback: This free English-language meetup has participants deliver short stories or speeches, then receive feedback from others. 15 October, 18:30, Buurtkamer Rijn 58 Dynamo. WORKSHOP

Bachata for absolute beginners, no partner required: This English-language course teaches absolute beginners the Dominican partner dance, and participants can attend without a partner or prior experience. 15 October, 20:00 – 21:00, BB Studios. CLASS

Thursday Dinner starts with drinks before a two-course meal: Dinner begins with drinks at the bar, followed by a simple starter and main course, with advance booking advised. 15 October, 18:30, Societeit De Kring. SOCIAL / DRINKS

Free Girls Keep Moving mixes sports and creative activities: Girls Keep Moving turns De Edelsteen into a drop-in mix of yoga, bootcamp, silent disco and creative workshops, with a pastel theme and free entry. 15 October, 16:00 – 18:30, De Edelsteen. SPORTS (ACTIVE)

Speed dating and social games for Amsterdam singles: Speed dating rounds use quick introductions before open mingling, drinks, icebreakers and social games for singles aged 24 to 46. 15 October, 19:00 – 22:00, Bar Blij. SOCIAL / DRINKS

Two Story: A combined coffee shop, gallery and design store in one space. Browse art and design while you drink.

Hagen: Danish pastries served at this central location of the London Espresso Bar chain.

Yusu at Contra: Yusu’s food and drinks available during the day at the Contra venue.

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