Essentially Amsterdam — Friday, June 26, 2026

Friday June 26, 2026

The Netherlands hits a historic Code Red heat warning, Studio Drift opens its own museum, and World Pride kicks off at EYE.

Code red heat warning issued for the Netherlands for the first time: Eight Dutch provinces have been placed under code red due to extreme heat, the highest possible weather warning and the first time it has ever been triggered. Nationwide, including the Amsterdam area.

Code orange alert as Amsterdam faces extreme heat: Amsterdam is entering a heat wave, with the national weather service issuing a code orange warning and temperatures forecast to reach 37°C by Friday. June 26, Amsterdam. 📅

NS cuts trains and hands out water during heat wave: Dutch rail is running fewer trains and taking other precautions to manage the effects of extreme heat on tracks and passengers. Check NS for current schedules before traveling.

No trains between Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Haarlem after track incident: Service between Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Haarlem was suspended due to a track incident, with disruptions expected until at least 12:30. Check for updates before traveling.

Most Amsterdam children exempted from school on religious grounds must return next year: The city’s education alderman Esmah Lahlah has informed the council that nearly all exemptions from compulsory schooling on religious or belief grounds will no longer be granted from the next academic year.

City audit finds two-thirds of Amsterdam bus and tram stops are not accessible: A review by the city’s audit office found that over two-thirds of bus and tram stops fail accessibility standards, sharply contradicting the municipality’s own figure of 41 percent compliance. Amsterdam.

New accessible beach opens at Gaasperplas: The city has opened a new beach at Gaasperplas designed with accessibility in mind, giving more residents easier access to outdoor swimming. June 25, Gaasperplas, Amsterdam Zuidoost. 📅

Free outdoor swimming available with the City Pass: Amsterdam City Pass holders can swim for free at multiple outdoor pools across the city this summer. June 23, various locations, Amsterdam. 📅

Anniek de Ruijter appointed rector of the University of Amsterdam: Professor Anniek de Ruijter has been appointed as the new rector of the University of Amsterdam. University of Amsterdam.

Opera Sibilles brings neighborhood dreams to the Nassaukerk stage: Director Miranda Lakerveld has woven residents’ hopes and visions for the Staatsliedenbuurt into a community opera asking what the neighborhood could look like in 100 years. June 27, Nassaukerk, Staatsliedenbuurt. 📅

Whispering boat cruise in Amsterdamse Bos: Quiet electric boat tours run through the Amsterdamse Bos across multiple departure times. A calm, family-friendly way to see the forest from the water. June 24–September 30, Amsterdamse Bos. 📅 Outdoor / Active

Neighborhood camping returns to Nieuw West parks: City parks in Nieuw West are hosting community camping nights again, giving families a low-key outdoor experience close to home. Nieuw West. Festival / Fair

Drop-in crafting workshop at Het Muizenhuis: Kids can stop by Het Muizenhuis any time during opening hours to take part in a hands-on crafting session at this charming miniature museum. June 20–August 29, 10:00–17:00, Het Muizenhuis. 📅

Bright Eyes in Amsterdamse Bos: The beloved indie-folk band plays an outdoor show in the green expanse of Amsterdamse Bos. No specific date confirmed. Amsterdamse Bos.

Jazz concert and jam session at Brokers Bar: Red Light Arts & Culture brings local contemporary jazz to Brokers Bar, tucked inside the historic Beurs van Berlage, followed by an open jam session. June 26, 20:30 (concert), 22:30 (jam session); Beurs van Berlage, Oudebrugsteeg 9. 📅

Rooftop live music: Theo Jackson Trio and Any Weird Stuff: Soul, funk, and jazz take over the Zoku Amsterdam rooftop in a curated evening presented with the Amsterdam Music Project. June 26; Zoku Amsterdam rooftop. 📅

Lexa Gates at Melkweg: The R&B and rap artist returns to Amsterdam with her signature mix of soft beats, sharp production, and lyrics that shift from humor to raw self-reflection. June 26; Melkweg. 📅

Koepelfestival: Musical tasting with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra: The Netherlands Philharmonic and Netherlands Chamber Orchestra open the NedPhO-Koepel for a summer festival kicking off the season. June 26; NedPhO-Koepel, Indische Buurt. 📅

Hervé Samb at Bimhuis: The Senegalese guitarist blends West African jazz with sabar rhythms in an intimate Bimhuis setting. June 26, 20:30; Bimhuis. 📅

The music of Game of Thrones and more by Mystery Ensemble: Mystery Ensemble performs sweeping cinematic and classical scores, including music from Game of Thrones, inside the atmospheric Posthoornkerk. June 26, 20:00–21:15; Posthoornkerk. 📅

Eline Verkuijl: Broken World: A multi-date run combining classical music and live performance at Scala in Westerpark. June 25–July 11; Scala, Westerpark. 📅

Vocal Group Buzzz: Inhoudsloos, interactive music: The vocal ensemble presents an interactive performance designed to be felt as much as heard, inviting the audience into the experience. June 26, 20:00–21:15; Polanen Theater. 📅

Amsterdam Gala Orchestra: A compact early-evening classical concert in the elegant surroundings of De Engelse Kerk in the city center. June 26, 17:30–18:30; De Engelse Kerk, City Center. 📅

De Baarsjescoop: free outdoor film festival: A free three-day outdoor film festival returns to Erasmuspark. Bring a blanket and enjoy screenings in the open air. June 26–28, 1:00–8:00 p.m., Erasmuspark. 📅 Film

Eye(s) Open: new perspectives on colonial film heritage: Eleven artists respond to EYE’s collection of roughly 2,000 colonial films from Indonesia and Suriname, presenting ten new works in dialogue with that archive. April 3–September 6, EYE Film Museum, Amsterdam Noord. 📅 Art / Museums

In memoriam Lieke Marsman: The Poet and the Devil: De Balie hosts an evening honoring poet Lieke Marsman (1990–2026), whose work and voice shaped contemporary Dutch literature. June 26, De Balie. 📅 Talks / Ideas

Stuck in the Middle?: festival, sculpture park, and theater: A combined outdoor festival, sculpture park, and theater program takes over Het Krugerplein. From May 16, Het Krugerplein. 📅 Festivals

Fragile Traces: Iranian experimental shorts at LAB111: Leftbank and LAB111 present a program of Iranian experimental short films focused on cinematic form and human experience. June 26, LAB111. 📅 Film

Club Imagine: Fantastic Film Festival summer weekend: LAB111 hosts a three-day genre film festival with screenings across the weekend. June 26–28, LAB111. 📅 Film

Mire Lee: site-specific installation at Oude Kerk: Korean artist Mire Lee presents a new site-specific installation inside the Oude Kerk, one of Amsterdam’s oldest buildings. From April 24, Oude Kerk. 📅 Art / Museums

Koepelfestival: musical tasting and open house at NedPhO-Koepel: The NedPhO-Koepel opens its doors for a festival weekend of musical performances and public programming. June 26 at 20:00 and June 27 at 12:30, NedPhO-Koepel. 📅 Festivals

Greg Shapiro live at Scala Amsterdam: American comedian Greg Shapiro, a long-running favorite among Amsterdam’s international community, performs his English-language stand-up. June 26, Scala Amsterdam. 📅 Comedy

Ed van der Elsken: Up Close at the Rijksmuseum: The Rijksmuseum presents a close look at Dutch photographer Ed van der Elsken, whose raw images captured postwar Amsterdam and global street life. Rijksmuseum. Art / Museums

Hand block printing workshop at Kota Cafe: Learn the centuries-old Indian textile technique using hand-carved wooden blocks in a small, personal group setting. June 26, 17:00–19:30, KOTA Cafe, Staalstraat 14H, Amsterdam-Centrum. 📅 Workshop

Canalfront painting workshop at Vessel Amsterdam: Paint a summer cocktail scene on acrylic canvas with a sweeping city view as your backdrop. June 26, Vessel Amsterdam, Revaleiland 500. 📅 Workshop

Wine and socializing at Rebel Wines: Four wines, snacks, and speed friending in a room full of curious people, a low-key evening built around meeting new faces. June 26, Rebel Wines. 📅 Games / Hobbies

Free mini-meetup: connect with Amsterdam through a local: A free, small weekly session (max three attendees) for newer residents who want to understand the city more deeply, guided by someone who knows it well. June 26, Kanarie Club, Foodhallen. 📅 Tour

Walk-in workshop alongside the Martin Parr exhibition at FOAM: Drop in for a hands-on workshop tied to the Martin Parr exhibition, running through August 9. FOAM Photography Museum. Workshop

Indigo dyeing workshop at Zaanse Schans: A three-hour workshop exploring the traditional craft of indigo dyeing, held at one of Amsterdam’s most storied outdoor sites. June 26, 13:00–16:00, Zaanse Schans. 📅 Workshop

Mahjong night with Red Dragon Social Club: Red Dragon Social Club brings tiles, strategy, and new faces to Pakhuis de Zwijger for an open evening of play. June 26, Pakhuis de Zwijger, Piet Heinkade. 📅 Games / Hobbies

SMEG pasta workshop: An afternoon of hands-on pasta making at the SMEG showroom, expect good food, practical tips, and a convivial atmosphere. June 26, SMEG Showroom, Withoedenveem. 📅 Workshop

Offline Craft Club: phone-free creative hangout: Lock your phone away and spend an evening doing arts and crafts, meeting like-minded people, and genuinely unplugging. June 26, 19:00–22:00, Buurtboerderij Centraal. 📅 Workshop

Wine tasting with sommelier Robert Schuurman: House sommelier Robert Schuurman leads a guided tasting at Landmarkt’s distinctive food and wine destination. June 26, Landmarkt. 📅 Tasting

OMEK Bicultural Summit: The Power Within: A full-day summit for bicultural professionals to build connections, access opportunity, and celebrate their strengths. June 26, 09:30–23:00, CRCL Park, Marineterrein. 📅 Conference

Loopbaanverhalen live meet and greet: The first live event from the Loopbaanverhalen podcast, with host Henna Texel and a drinks networking session for ambitious professionals. June 26, Melia Venue, Paltrokstraat. 📅

Studio Drift opens its own museum in Amsterdam: The Amsterdam-based art duo Studio Drift now has a dedicated museum space to show its large-scale kinetic and light works. No opening date has been confirmed. Venue / Space

Aperitivo bar Ilario opens in De Pijp: A new Italian-style aperitivo bar called Ilario has opened in De Pijp, adding to the neighborhood’s growing drink-and-snack scene. De Pijp, Amsterdam. Bar / Café

Lutmaak brings new artist studio space to De Pijp: Lutmaak is a new shared studio space for artists and makers opening in De Pijp. It adds working room to a neighborhood better known for its cafes and markets. De Pijp, Amsterdam. Venue / Space

Neni expands with a second Amsterdam location: The Mediterranean-Middle Eastern restaurant Neni has opened a second Amsterdam outpost inside the Kimpton De Witt hotel in the city center. Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam. Restaurant