Essentially Amsterdam – Thursday, October 22, 2026

Thursday October 22, 2026

Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: the IJtunnel is set to close to drivers for about 18 months, border checks delay Eurostar trains from Amsterdam Centraal, and the Concertgebouw Orchestra plays Beethoven’s Fifth.

IJtunnel to close to drivers for about 18 months: The IJtunnel will shut to all drivers from July 2027 so that its outdated safety systems can be replaced. Drivers who heard about the plans questioned why the work will take so long.

Het Parool seeks Americans in Amsterdam for midterm election panel: An Amsterdam newspaper is putting together a panel of American residents to talk about the US midterm elections on November 3. It wants voters with a wide range of political views who are willing to be photographed.

Border checks delay Eurostar trains from Amsterdam Centraal: Up to two thirds of London-bound Eurostar trains have left Amsterdam Centraal late since new EU border checks began. Rail passengers also pay for their own checks, while Schiphol air travellers do not.

Last weekend for Betondorp history exhibition in Watergraafsmeer: Betondorp’s new museum, founded in May without a building of its own, is showing an exhibition on how the neighbourhood came to be. It closes this weekend, with historic films and a lecture.

Rokin closed to cyclists leaving the centre for another month: The cycle path by the Dam is shut to cyclists leaving the centre while tram tracks are replaced. Trams 4 and 14 will also be cut short in November.

Amsterdam initiatives win 2026 Omarmprijs awards: Raad is Daad was named the overall winner at the 12th Omarmprijs ceremony in Hal West. Groene Kans and Noordjes Schrijflab also received awards.

A Geuzenveld shop makes room for neighbours: The Salvation Army’s Ontmoetingswinkel at Lambertus Zijlplein sells secondhand goods and offers visitors coffee, conversation and ways to get involved. Sales and donations support the organisation’s help for people in need.

Westerpark’s Nassaukerk offers old wooden benches: The church is renovating one of its balconies and has no room for around ten benches measuring five to seven metres long. The wooden benches have folding seats and are available for a reasonable offer.

Strandeiland soup evenings end for now as funding remains uncertain: The Soep Salon held six Thursday evening cooking sessions at De Basket, the first meeting place on Strandeiland. Its latest gathering was the series’ provisional finale.

Five visions for new Meervaart on show at Sloterplas: Five architect teams have drawn up ideas for a new Meervaart and its surroundings in Nieuw-West. Residents can view the plans and respond until 29 October.

Nolly and Zarrie are fixtures in Amsterdam’s centre: Nolly Vittali has washed windows in central Amsterdam for 40 years, with his bobtail Zarrie beside him. Hundreds of passers-by stop to pet the dog, while tourists photograph or film him.

Volkscafé Reve takes over Bar aan de Kade in Amsterdam Oost: The former Bar aan de Kade is now run by Eva Posthuma de Boer, Frank Lammers and Rolf Jan Rutten. They plan meals, drinks and events for local residents.

Amsterdam studies ban on disposable packaging: A legal review says a local ban on takeaway cups and containers is legally possible. The city is weighing deposit and reusable return systems, and plans to study models used elsewhere.

Critics say Amsterdam’s 30 km/h limit has not made streets safer: The city introduced the limit on 80% of roads at the end of 2023. But speeding remains common, while crashes involving cyclists and pedestrians rose in 2025.

Amsterdam council documents taken offline over PHP security risk: The platform used by the city was taken offline after a PHP security warning. A fix was expected at 16.00, while residents and journalists lost online access to council papers and meetings.

NS train fares to rise 4.7% in 2027 as off-peak discounts grow: NS will raise average ticket prices by 4.7% in 2027, while offering off-peak travellers discounts of up to 80%. The new same-day deals will benefit occasional passengers, but not season-ticket holders.

Autumn holiday art activities for children at Museum Cobra: Children can make a Mini-Suga, try marble painting or help build a large marble run in the museum’s daily holiday activities. 22 October, Museum Cobra. KIDS WORKSHOP

Autumn forest safari with Amsterdamse Bos rangers: A forest ranger leads children on an autumn walk, spotting mushrooms, leaves, animal tracks and signs of wildlife preparing for winter. 22 October, 14:00, De Boswinkel. OUTDOOR / ACTIVE

CONTROLE combines breakdance, comedy and live music: A moving floor gives the breakdancers an unstable stage, alongside physical comedy and live music, for audiences aged 12 and over. 22 October, Theater De Krakeling. THEATER

Collect autumn leaves and make a herbarium at the Hortus: Young pupils collect differently shaped and coloured leaves, then paste them into a personal herbarium booklet during this 75-minute garden lesson. 22 October, Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam. MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL

Music and movement for babies aged six to eighteen months: Babies aged six to eighteen months have a movement session at Muziekgebouw, with the listing giving no further activity details. 22 October, 09:30, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ. FAMILY SHOW

KI/KI Live, a concert at Ziggo Dome: KI/KI plays a concert at Ziggo Dome, though the available listing gives no further programme or set information. 22 October, 20:00, Ziggo Dome. DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Beethoven’s Fifth with the Concertgebouw Orchestra: The programme pairs Beethoven’s Fifth with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25, Emilie Mayer’s Dutch-premiere overture, and pianist Mao Fujita. 22 October, 20:15, The Concertgebouw. DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Paul Kalkbrenner LIVE x Loveland at ADE: Paul Kalkbrenner plays a live set at Theater Amsterdam as part of ADE, billed alongside Loveland. 22 October, 19:00, Theater Amsterdam. DANCE / PERFORMANCE

10 Years of STMPD RCRDS, the ADE label night: Martin Garrix’s label marks ten years with a large-scale show, featuring its roster and the label’s live visuals. 22 October, 17:00 – 00:00, AFAS Live. DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Free screening: Jeff Mills’ Interpretation of Rembrandt’s De Nachtwacht: This 50-minute seated film, made inside the Rijksmuseum, combines electronic music, dance and visual art; admission includes museum entry. 22 October, 12:00, Teekenschool. FILM

Hernan Cattaneo B2B Nick Warren, six hours at ADE: Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren play a six-hour back-to-back DJ set, with the event listed as sold out. 22 October, 20:00 – 03:00, De Wester De Liefde. DANCE / PERFORMANCE

50:HERTZ x SPACE TAKEOFF, a sunset train showcase: SPACE 92 headlines a TAKEOFF-label sunset showcase aboard a club train, with trance-leaning techno, distorted percussion and acid influences. 22 October, 18:00 – 22:00, Amsterdam Centraal Station (CLUB TRAIN). DANCE / PERFORMANCE

ADE’s Vibrating Music Hammocks, listening through vibration: Suspended hammocks carry low frequencies and spatial sound through the body, with solo or couple sessions and occasional live performances. 22 October, 11:00, The Stargate. ART / MUSEUMS

ADE Spritz & Beatz Boat, hop-on music between venues: Passengers can hop on and off between ADE venues, with an onboard DJ, a bar and sets from six listed artists. 22 October, 15:00 – 23:30, Canal Tours Amsterdam. DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Cabaret, the Kit Kat Club musical in 1930s Berlin: This Dutch musical follows Sally Bowles at Berlin’s Kit Kat Club, where fascism begins to enter the club’s world. 22 October, 20:00, DeLaMar Theater. THEATER

EarthSonic Premiere with Orbital and Paranoid London: Two immersive music installations anchor the evening, alongside live sets, an interactive sound station and a discussion with participating artists. 22 October, 17:00 – 21:00, Nxt Museum. ART / MUSEUMS

Jean-Michel Jarre signs Machines: A History of Electronic Music: Fifty ticket holders can meet Jarre and have Machines: A History of Electronic Music signed; tickets include the book. 22 October, 12:30, The American Book Center. STORY / READING

EINDER by Boris Acket at the Centrale Markthal: See Boris Acket’s EINDER at the Centrale Markthal during ADE, a chance to encounter the artist’s work as part of the festival. 22 October, Centrale Markthal. ART / MUSEUMS

Myriam Boulos exhibition opening, free at Foam: The free opening invites visitors to see Myriam Boulos’s exhibition; Foam asks guests to RSVP online. 22 October, Foam. ART / MUSEUMS

Deep Seeing Currents, Olafur Eliasson’s Aquarium installation: Olafur Eliasson’s installation combines underwater sounds, body-felt vibrations and descending lights inside the Aquarium; access requires a valid ARTIS Park ticket. 22 October, ARTIS-Aquarium. ART / MUSEUMS

Ajax face Atalanta in a football match: Ajax and Atalanta meet for a football match at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, with no further match details supplied. 22 October, all day, Johan Cruijff ArenA. SPORTS (SPECTATOR)

NEXT Game Night at the Rijksmuseum, games and workshops: The Rijksmuseum opens its youth-club night to everyone, with a pop-up escape room, camel race, life-size guessing game, workshops, snacks and music. 22 October, 19:30 – 23:00, Teekenschool. GAMES / HOBBIES

Wobbles & Waffles, the ADE Bakery Rave: Wobbles & Waffles is listed as a bakery rave within ADE, but the event page provides no further programme details. 22 October, 15:00, Amsterdam Dance Event. DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Amsterdam Bar Magic Show, close-up tricks and mind-reading: Audience members sit close for sleight of hand, mind-reading and close-up tricks, then can talk with the magicians at the bar. 22 October, 20:00 – 22:00, Cafe De Buurvrouw. THEATER

Wils Café: Chef Joris Bijdendijk has opened a new café in Amsterdam. Details about the concept and location are limited.

De Blauwe Parade: De Blauwe Parade is among Amsterdam’s nominees for Best new cocktail bar, though specifics about its drinks or location remain unclear.

Nido: Nido is among Amsterdam’s nominees for Best new cocktail bar, though specifics about its drinks or location remain unclear.

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