Recent editions

Click on an image below to see that day's edition of Essentially Amsterdam.

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Monday 31 August: Borneokade swim jetty, Black Star at Paradiso, Elandsgracht junction Plus a busy Elandsgracht junction skips traffic lights, the Alkmaar night train stays through 2027, and Swapfiets cuts annual losses. AUG 31, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Sunday 30 August: Most student rooms overcharge rent, drought cuts crop harvests, Tata Steel seeks green permit Plus Dutch spinach has the most pesticide residue, staff shortages reduce IJ ferry crossings, and Amazon Web Services buys local startup DuckLabs. AUG 30, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Saturday 29 August: Sting’s The Last Ship extended at Carré, school trips cut due to funds, Droppie opens fifth shop Plus street work begins on the northern Westermarkt, Flowerbikeman faces deportation from the Netherlands, and GVB expands the IJ ferry timetable. AUG 29, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Friday 28 August: Canal shut at night to large ships, country logs hottest summer, cupcake shop reopens for a day Plus tram 26 extends service to Strandeiland, a high speed rail line closes for months, and Kyndryl drops its bid for Solvinity. AUG 28, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Thursday 27 August: Indoor campsite opens, Schiphol fines loud night flights, fake apartment fight goes viral Plus the Indische Buurt Festival returns to Javastraat, a proposed temporary bridge across the IJ, and approval for PostNL to raise stamp prices. AUG 27, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Wednesday 26 August: Night train to Malmö planned, NS discounts near peak train fares, Fringe Festival returns Plus the citywide water sprinkling ban ends, Schiphol temporarily closes a major runway, and flight compensation service EUclaim goes bankrupt. AUG 26, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Tuesday 25 August: Saints & Stars gym fined, Schiphol security guards strike, inheritances widen housing gap Plus a test reduces Weesperstraat to one lane, Jitse Groen backs rival food app Butlaroo, and global outlets cover the last Zandvoort race. AUG 25, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Monday 24 August: Norris wins at Zandvoort, sailing ship delivers cargo, bike accidents jump 20% Plus residents track traffic along the Utrechtsestraat, record bookings for Virgin Voyages cruises, and heavy thunderstorms following a warm week. AUG 24, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Sunday 23 August: City quiets for Lowlands, Berlin trains detour via Hamburg, Netflix build disrupts street Plus record train crowds traveling to Zandvoort, a partial lunar eclipse over the Netherlands, and new ticket resale platforms from Dutch venues. AUG 23, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Saturday 22 August: Fire destroys community center, fans refunded after Ajax stream fails, parents urged to teach biking Plus construction starts on Zuidoost's Eleven Square district, PlayerUnknown Productions closes its Amsterdam studio, and tropical weather might return to the Netherlands. AUG 22, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Friday 21 August: A10 West shut all weekend, Queen musical We Will Rock You at DeLaMar, and Friday-night jazz at Contra Plus starter-mortgage discounts up to 70,000 euros, the last Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, and everything else worth knowing in the city today. AUG 21, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Thursday 20 August: Sleuth links patient to Canada, law firm loses chocolate suit, military helicopters fly drills Plus Dutch households hold record amounts in stocks, airport security staff stage slowdowns at Schiphol, and water officials expand restrictions on spraying groundwater. AUG 20, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Wednesday 19 August: Water ban moves hockey tournament, court blocks squatter eviction, Rijksmuseum gets rare book Plus a campaign celebrating local heroes in Oost, activists urging the city to block a data center, and a food bank volunteer marking five years of service. AUG 19, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Tuesday, August 18: Schiphol taxi drivers weigh a strike, Wilco at Paradiso, acrobats in the Bos Plus Tech Networking Event by Startup Valley. AUG 18, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Monday, August 17: A1 reopens, Hartjesdag on the Zeedijk, the heatwave breaks Sunday's metro meltdown explained, salsa at De Ceuvel, and an open jam night on Leidseplein. AUG 17, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Sunday, August 16: Grachtenfestival finale, community picnic, Beethovenstraat dining shift Plus: free music in Vondelpark, solar battery safety concerns, and an outdoor evening set at Hortus Botanicus. AUG 16, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Saturday, August 15: Reggae Lake Festival, Vondelpark open-air comedy, daytime water ban Plus: Eilandjazz at Muziekgebouw, a Robin Hood play in the forest, and new dining in Oud-West. AUG 15, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Friday, August 14: emergency water pumps, Pitou in Amsterdamse Bos, vinyl and biscuits at Tolhuistuin Plus: new Schiphol entry delays, weather warnings, and local summer parties. AUG 14, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Thursday, August 13: Comedytrain moves to Westergas, Circusbende Festival opens, Daniel Ciobanu at Concertgebouw Plus: drought restrictions introduced, local traffic counts on Utrechtsestraat, and a pop-up wedding venue in East. AUG 13, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Wednesday, August 12: watch the partial solar eclipse from the NEMO roof terrace, hear Helena Casella perform live at the Zuidas Botanical Garden, and check out a free pop-up print fair at Pakhuis de Zwijger Plus: barbecues banned in Amsterdamse Bos, K-pop group LUN8 at Q-Factory, and a 4K restoration of Minoes. AUG 12, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Tuesday, August 11: Pllek open-air cinema, KLM ends free snacks, Bosfest in the forest Plus: IJshoeve Sloten named best ice cream, Race Planet to close, and Current Joys plays Paradiso tonight. AUG 11, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Monday, August 10: heatwave forecast, Thomas Beijer at Concertgebouw, outdoor workouts on De Boelelaan Plus: drought grounds houseboats, country line dancing takes off in Amsterdam, and free nature play in Westerpark. AUG 10, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Sunday, August 9: heatwave hits Amsterdam, Hoofddorpplein amphitheater opens, De Parade returns Plus: free historic ferry trips to northern villages, open-air classical sets, and a soil safari at De Ceuvel. AUG 9, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Saturday, August 8: warm weekend arrives, Loveland Festival in Sloterpark, Anthony Hamilton at Paradiso Plus: IJ-Hallen market returns, open-air films in Amsterdamse Bos, and De Parade kids' shows. AUG 8, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Friday, August 7: Amsterdam Museum centenary festival, Peaches at Melkweg, WorldPride Village opens Plus: roller disco at De Hallen, forest cinema, warm weather returns, and treetop climbing in the Bos. AUG 7, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Thursday, August 6: partial solar eclipse, Canal Festival opens, Wedding Party XXL at Museumplein Plus: H'ART Museum outdoor cinema, bank accounts before BSN, new openings on Leidseplein, and umami tasting. AUG 6, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Wednesday, August 5: World Pride village on Museumplein, outdoor cinema at H'ART Museum, children's theater at De Parade Plus: West End musical at Carré, silent roller disco on Museumplein, and Korean rice wine workshops. AUG 5, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Tuesday, August 4: heat alert issued, giant parakeet sculpture at IJ, Ashton Brothers at De Parade Plus: Schiphol train disruption, R&B group Change at Paradiso, outdoor listening at Jeugdland, and new spots in town. AUG 4, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Monday, August 3: De Parade youth theater opens, Gary Numan at Paradiso, free games at Karel Doormanplein Plus: fat bike restrictions lower Vondelpark speeds, free Dutch-language advice at the central library, and the national heat plan in effect. AUG 3, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Sunday, August 2: PM Rob Jetten sails the Pride Canal Parade, Sunday Market at Westergas, John Grant in the forest Plus: extra GVB ferry captains, a terrace piano concert at Muziekgebouw, and Pride plastic fishing at the Maritime Museum. AUG 2, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Saturday, August 1: Canal Parade sunshine, street orchestra in West, Sierra Ferrell at Paradiso Plus: WorldPride transit detours, a kids studio at H'ART Museum, and an outdoor Mario Kart session on Museumplein. AUG 1, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Friday, July 31: WorldPride across the city, final Houthavens canal fills, new waterside dining in Noord JUL 31, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Thursday, July 30: Dekmantel Festival begins, children's theater in the forest, mango sticky rice ice cream pop-up Plus: swim warnings during the heat, TicketSwap changes discount rules, and a free harp concert at Moses and Aaron. JUL 30, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Wednesday, July 29: 35°C heat forecast, Thievery Corporation at Paradiso, open-air film at Mercatorplein Plus: Canal Parade weather, Schiphol strike warning, new local spots, and sunset yoga. JUL 29, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Tuesday, July 28: otter and giant catfish spotted, Thievery Corporation at Paradiso, outdoor Totoro screening Plus: new parking spot cuts, twilight sitting returns, and an egg-focused breakfast spot opens in Kolenkit. JUL 28, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Monday, July 27: Daniela Mercury at Melkweg, Mano Bakery opens, moped helmet study results Plus: Kwaku Festival continues, a papercutting workshop at KunstRUIM, and mid-week temperatures could near 36°C. JUL 27, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Sunday, July 26: Kwaku Summer Festival, Ukrainian youth orchestra at Concertgebouw, open-air Mario Kart Plus: Midsummer at Pllek, a soil safari for kids at De Ceuvel, and sunshine returns to the city. JUL 26, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Saturday, July 25: suspected meteorite spotted, Terrassen Festival in Rembrandtpark, Pabllo Vittar at Melkweg Plus: GVB tests hands-free metro check-ins, IJ-Hallen market returns, and a heatwave is forecast for next week. JUL 25, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Friday, July 24: De Parade returns, Alice Phoebe Lou at Bostheater, A9 highway closure Plus: new fines for loud music on the Amstel, Milkshake Festival at Westerpark, and Bar How opens in Noord. JUL 24, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Thursday, July 23: Chef'Special in the forest, Terrace Festival opens, hands-free ticket gates tested Plus: Kwaku to change format after 2026, a free rooftop concert at NEMO, and Amstelveen paddling pools reopen. JUL 23, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Wednesday, July 22: teen puppeteer on Dam Square, High Heels Hurray opens, toddler theater in the Bos Plus: free tote-bag workshop at Hortus, De Appel opens its archive, a new listening café in Oud-West JUL 22, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Tuesday, July 21: James Taylor at AFAS Live, ARTIS Aquarium restored, cruise-ship limits Plus: tiny studio for €1,300, oysters under €2.50, De Boelelaan closed, new spots opening JUL 21, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Monday, July 20: Piet Hein Tunnel reopens, Metro 52 disrupted, cooler air this week Plus: energy coaches in Zuidoost, kids robotics at the library, Bryan Cheng at the Concertgebouw, new restaurants around town JUL 20, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Sunday, July 19: underwater concert at Marnixbad, €49 train ticket, free Vondelpark classical Plus: ARTIS summer evenings, Marineterrein family picnic, Georgie's Wundergarten, Rialto cinema plans JUL 19, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Saturday, July 18: ARTIS deep-sea design, parakeet statue in Noord, De Pijp open gardens Plus: butterfly spotting at the Bos, neighbors sharing solar in Oost, Children's Summer Festival, and more JUL 18, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Friday, July 17: The Weeknd: After Hours Til Dawn Tour, Bach Meets Tango: Carel Kraayenhof, Kwaku Summer Festival Day Ticket The Weeknd: After Hours Til Dawn Tour, Bach Meets Tango: Carel Kraayenhof & Friends, Kwaku Summer Festival Day Ticket JUL 17, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Thursday, July 16: The Weeknd at the ArenA, 20% tourist tax, direct train to London Plus: film scores at the Concertgebouw, Bakkerij Mama opens, Tanabata festival & more JUL 16, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Wednesday, July 15: Hayato Sumino at Concertgebouw, tawny owls returning, free teen paddleboarding Plus: Miles Davis film at Kompaszaal, The Terminator at Pllek, World Press Photo tour, Chef Centraal opens in West, and more. JUL 15, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Tuesday, July 14: Goudstikker painting found in trash, Tuschinski ceiling restored, Yebba at Paradiso tonight Plus: heat and storms ahead, Mississippi River Brass Band in Vondelpark, free laser tag, water party at Oosterdok, and more. JUL 14, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Monday, July 13: Amsterdam ice cream rankings out, free puppet theater at ARTIS, Sharon Eyal in Amsterdam Plus: denim summer school, Vietnamese pop-up at NDSM, Ilana Glazer at Meervaart, edible forest in Noord, and more. JUL 13, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Sunday, July 12: Bulgarian choir at Concertgebouw, Pure Markt returns, free puppet theater at ARTIS Plus: open beekeeping in Oost, E.T. at EYE, Roda de Samba at Bimhuis, new Airbnb rules, and much more. JUL 12, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Saturday, July 11: Free puppet theatre at ARTIS, Julidans final weekend, Luke Combs at the ArenA Plus: Amsterdam's first chess festival, NGHIA Vietnamese pop-up at NDSM, Roxeanne Hazes at the Concertgebouw, and ferry delays to know about. JUL 11, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Friday, July 10: Museumplein paddling pool returns, free Vondelpark shows open, Unicorn Boat Parade at Sloterplas Plus: Canal vocal feast at Mediamatic, accordion revival at Westerkerk, new ramen bar opens, Noord WWII bomb sites become public art. JUL 10, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Thursday, July 9: free rooftop gig at NEMO, Julidans ignites, kids ride free Plus: asbestos toy monkey recall, Jewish bakery heritage in Oost, Latin nights return to Westergas, and a full city of events. JUL 9, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Wednesday, July 8: third heatwave looming, Canal Parade turns 30, Reggie Watts tonight Plus: no-swimming advisory citywide, Sloterdijk–Zaandam tunnel fault, Kevin Morby at Paradiso, free kids tech lab, and more. JUL 8, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Tuesday, July 7: heatwave returns, Madness live at AFAS, city tackles illegal rents Plus: Dvořák at the Concertgebouw, World Cup on the big screen, Julidans at Bijlmer, southbound trains back, and more. JUL 7, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Monday, July 6: Amsterdam cracks down on empty homes, Couple evicted after owning seven apartments while in social housing, Free energy coaches available for Amsterdam renters Plus: Paid internships to become a legal right for all Dutch students, Author and cabaret legend Marjan Berk dies at 93, Buyers under 25 taking out more mortgages across the Netherlands & more. JUL 6, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Sunday, July 5: Daley Blind in talks for Ajax return, Bruno Mars at the ArenA, free family Sunday Plus: Osdorp power outage, road tunnels closing more often, €1 oysters, Tanabata Festival, Shakespeare outdoors & more. JUL 5, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Saturday, July 4: major road closures stack up, Ajax sign ter Stegen, traffic fines ruled unlawful Plus: Schiphol warns of 5-hr waits, avoid open water til Wednesday, Bruno Mars tonight, MidzomerMokum kicks off. JUL 4, 2026

☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Thursday, July 2: tropical summer warning, Eurostar cancels Amsterdam trains, Julidans opens tonight Plus: drought alert, summer train pass flying off shelves, fireworks ban confirmed, Bruno Mars, free rooftop music & more. JUL 2, 2026