Essentially Amsterdam — Friday, July 31, 2026

Friday July 31, 2026

Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: WorldPride events continue across the city, water fills the final canal in the Houthavens, and a new waterside restaurant opens on a boat in Noord.

Track defect reduces Sprinter trains between Hoofddorp and Centraal: NS has reduced sprinter train services on the route connecting Hoofddorp and Amsterdam Centraal due to a track defect. The disruption and adjusted schedule are expected to last through the end of August.

Water fills the final canal in the Houthavens: Workers breached a temporary steel dam to let water from the IJ flow into the final dry canal bed in the Houthavens. The breach completes the multi-year waterfront transformation for neighborhood residents.

NS summer train pass automatically renews if not canceled: Passholders who bought the discounted €49 Dal Vrij summer pass need to cancel before it expires in August. If left active, the pass automatically converts into a standard monthly subscription costing €127.95.

Amsterdam home listings increase as sales prices dip: More residential properties are going up for sale across Amsterdam, leading to higher transaction numbers. While average purchase prices have edged down slightly, market analysts suggest conditions could change soon.

Middenmeer heating cooperative secures €30 million subsidy: The resident-led MeerEnergie cooperative has secured €30 million in government funding to build its district heating network in Middenmeer, East Amsterdam. The money allows construction to move forward on the sustainable neighborhood energy grid.

Scammers target Amsterdam apartment hunters on social media: Fraudulent housing posts are increasing on TikTok and Facebook ahead of the upcoming university semester. Scammers copy legitimate photos of Amsterdam apartments, offer lower rent, and demand advance security deposits.

IJmuiden sees passenger boost from Amsterdam cruise restrictions: As Amsterdam limits the number of ocean cruise ships docking near the city center, nearby IJmuiden is taking on more passenger arrivals. Local businesses and port authorities report a steady uptick in visitor traffic.

One in eight Dutch home sellers cut asking prices: Around 12.5 percent of sellers across the Netherlands lowered their asking prices in the second quarter. The average discount exceeded €41,500, marking the highest rate of price cuts in two years.

Court backs city refusal of social housing priority: The Council of State ruled that Amsterdam properly denied an emergency housing permit to a mother living in a 32-square-meter apartment with three children. The decision highlights the extreme shortage of available social housing.

ING expects record Dutch home sales this year: A new forecast from ING projects that total home sales in the Netherlands will reach a record high in 2026. The bank expects overall price growth to slow down compared to previous years.

OBA hosts toddler storytime session in Central Library: Parents can bring children aged two and up for a cozy reading session designed to encourage an early interest in books. July 31, 10:00, OBA. 📅 Story / Reading

Authors present new children’s book at OBA: Polly Levens and Irma Brul are holding a book launch and live reading session for young readers. They will introduce their story about Puwema and a parakeet named Krikri. July 31, 15:00, OBA. 📅 Story / Reading

Jeugdland hosts free nature club for kids on Zeeburgereiland: Children ages six and up can join an outdoor workshop featuring pond dipping, bug hunting, plant tasting, and outdoor cooking. No pre-registration is required. July 31, 14:00, Jeugdland, Zeeburgereiland. 📅 Outdoor / Active

Children can draw their own Toy Story adventure at the Rijksmuseum: Toy Story drawing workshop: Kids four and up can draw their own Toy Story adventure during a workshop held in the museum’s Great Hall. On July 31 at the Rijksmuseum. Kids Workshop

Kabaalmakers hosts a video workshop focused on the planet: Climate vlogging workshop: Children can learn to make their own vlog, reel, short, or climate news report at this media workshop. On July 31 at Kabaalmakers. Kids Workshop

World Pride Music Festival lands at AFAS Live: A large-scale music festival celebrating LGBTQ+ pride culture brings a lineup of multiple artists to the main stage in Zuidoost. July 31, AFAS Live. 📅

Third World plays reggae fusion at Paradiso: Jamaican reggae fusion group Third World performs their classic hits in the main hall. July 31, 20:30, Paradiso. 📅

Son Rompe Pera brings marimba punk to Tolhuistuin: The Mexican band performs their high-energy blend of traditional marimba, punk, and cumbia in Amsterdam North. July 31, 20:30, Tolhuistuin. 📅

Dekmantel Festival returns to the Amsterdamse Bos: The electronic music festival returns to the woods for three days of house, techno, and electro. July 31–August 2, 17:00, Amsterdamse Bos. 📅

Mykki Blanco brings experimental hip-hop to Melkweg: Musician and artist Mykki Blanco plays a live show combining experimental textures, noise, and trap beats. The performance highlights a genre-bending catalog built over years of prominent collaborations. July 31, 19:30, Melkweg. 📅

Keroncong Anemoia brings Indonesian-Dutch music to Muziekgebouw terrace: Duo Madeline Saputra and Apollon Kalamenios perform a theatrical recital exploring keroncong, the traditional Indonesian-Dutch musical genre. The outdoor show combines live music with performance art. July 31, 20:00, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Terrace. 📅

NAECO Vogue plays live set at Bitterzoet: Musician NAECO Vogue takes the stage for a live concert in central Amsterdam. The show offers a chance to see the artist in an intimate venue setting. July 31, 17:00, Bitterzoet, Amsterdam. 📅

Rooftop Latin Night plays Zoku Amsterdam: The Amsterdam Latin Project performs a live set of Spanish-language music on the roof terrace. An early happy hour precedes the music. July 31, 20:00, Zoku Amsterdam. 📅

Niamh McCrystal plays free acoustic set at Concerto: Irish singer-songwriter Niamh McCrystal performs a short, free acoustic gig inside the downtown record shop. July 31, 16:30, Concerto. Free 📅

Janey plays live outdoor set at Noorderlicht: Catch a live performance by Janey at the waterfront greenhouse venue on NDSM wharf. July 31, 18:00, Noorderlicht. 📅

WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 brings two weeks of events: The Netherlands hosts its first WorldPride event, featuring cultural programming, festivals, and celebrations for the LGBTQIA+ community across the city. July 25–August 9, 12:00–23:59, Multiple venues. 📅 Festivals

Gershwin Bonevacia brings spoken word and theater to De Parade: Former Amsterdam Poet Laureate Gershwin Bonevacia presents a performance combining spoken word, poetry, and theater. July 31, Various times, De Parade, Martin Luther Kingpark. Theater

Storytelling show Echt Gebeurd plays at De Parade: The storytelling team brings personal, funny, and true stories to the stage under the title "On Uncharted Territory." July 31, Various times, De Parade, Martin Luther Kingpark. Theater

Sweetie Darling Blockparty runs at The Social Hub: An outdoor community gathering featuring music, food, and drinks as part of the broader WorldPride program. July 31, 16:00–23:30, The Social Hub. 📅 Festivals

Local chefs serve forest menu at Amsterdamse Bos: Chefs in the Forest brings together local culinary talent for a dining experience surrounded by trees. Visitors can sample unique dishes crafted specifically for the outdoor setting. July 31, Amsterdamse Bos. 📅 Food / Markets

Hokjesdenker performs original production at De Parade: Theater group Hokjesdenker presents "We Have Nothing to Celebrate" as part of the traveling festival program in Zuid. The piece explores societal labels, identity, and personal boundaries. July 31, Various times, Theaterfestival de Parade. Theater

H’ART Museum pairs live jazz with late art hours: The museum hosts Friday late afternoons combining gallery access with live jazz performances. July 31, 15:30 – 18:30, H’ART Museum. 📅 Art / Museums

Wachten op Marsha staged at ITA: Raymi Sambo Maakt brings a new theater production exploring dynamic personal relationships and modern social expectations to the stage. July 31, 20:00, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam. 📅 Theater

Filmhuis Cavia hosts outdoor cinema nights at Westergas: Filmhuis Cavia is holding outdoor movie screenings on the market square near the Radio Radio kiosk. July 31 to August 1, Marktplein, Westergas. 📅 Film

Concerto hosts Ariana Grande album listening session: Listen to the newest release from Ariana Grande at a group listening session inside the city center record store. July 31, 10:00, Concerto. 📅

Offline craft session offers screen-free evening at Buurtboerderij: Put away your phone for a quiet evening of creative work on the farm. You can bring your own project like knitting or painting, try optional craft activities, and meet other locals. July 31, 19:00, Buurtboerderij Centraal. 📅 Workshop

Amsterdamse Bos hosts outdoor volunteer workday: Volunteers can spend the morning helping maintain paths, flora, and grounds inside the city’s largest park. The session is open to anyone looking to do practical outdoor work. July 31, 10:00, Amsterdamse Bos. 📅 Volunteering

Pedro Ricardo Henry leads Vondelpark dance workshop: Dancer and choreographer Pedro Ricardo Henry hosts an expressive open-air movement session in the park. Participants of all levels can join to get moving outdoors. July 31, 20:30, Vondelpark Openluchttheater. 📅 Class

Cultopia holds informal jazz and funk jam session: Musicians and listeners can join an unscripted evening of live jazz and funk. Feel free to bring an instrument or simply watch the session unfold. July 31, 19:00 – 23:00, Podium Genieten. 📅

Landmarkt hosts evening wine tasting with local sommelier: Sommelier Robert Schuurman guides guests through a selection of wines while discussing flavor pairings. July 31, 18:30, Landmarkt. 📅 Tasting

Waterside summer barbecue planned along the IJ: Bring your own food to grill by the river, with background DJ music and outdoor games arranged by the host. July 31, 18:30, Monk Amsterdam, Aambeeldstraat 26. 📅 Tasting

KunstRuim Gallery hosts free afternoon paper-cutting workshop: Stop by the gallery in Amsterdam Oost for a casual, drop-in paper-cutting session open to all visitors. July 31, 13:00 – 16:00, KunstRuim Gallery, Amsterdam Oost. 📅 Workshop

OBA hosts casual Japanese mahjong session: Meet up with other players for a relaxed afternoon of Riichi Mahjong on the library’s seventh floor. You should already know the basics, including Yaku rules and hand building. July 31, 18:45, OBA Oosterdok. 📅 Games / Hobbies

Museum Het Schip holds enamel workshop: Learn the traditional technique of cloisonné enameling inspired by artist Marie Kuyken during a hands-on session. An expert instructor leads the practical class. July 31, 13:00, Museum Het Schip. 📅 Workshop

OBA Javaplein offers free morning workshop: Spend a morning making art during a drop-in creative session in East Amsterdam. All skill levels are welcome to join. July 31, 10:30, OBA Javaplein. 📅 Workshop

Air France-KLM scales back short-haul flights over fuel costs: Air France-KLM plans to reduce its short- and medium-haul European flight schedule later this year. High jet fuel expenses are driving the cuts, which could impact regional travel out of Schiphol Airport. Business News

KLM posts quarterly profit by passing on fuel costs: Dutch airline KLM reported higher second-quarter earnings at Schiphol Airport after passing rising fuel prices to passengers. The results contrast with parent company Air France, which saw its quarterly operating profit drop. Business News

DSM-Firmenich plans 1,000 global job cuts to reduce costs: Health and nutrition company dsm-firmenich is cutting about 1,000 positions over the next two years. The restructuring aims to save €100 million across its global operations. Business News

AEX index hits new record close: Strong quarterly earnings reports pushed the Amsterdam stock index to a fresh high. Semiconductor companies and DSM-Firmenich led the gains locally, alongside positive global tech market trends. Business News

Dutch beer sales continue to drop: Breweries across the Netherlands are facing ongoing financial pressure after reporting another decline in sales for the first half of the year. Industry leaders point to rising production costs and changing drinking habits. Business News

Amsterdam court dismisses Shell and Repsol lawsuit: The Amsterdam District Court has rejected multi-million euro damage claims brought by oil companies Shell and Repsol against chemical manufacturer Orbia. The suit had alleged historical ethylene cartel pricing practices. Business News

Van Oord sets up port base: Maritime contractor Van Oord has established a long-term operational hub in the Port of Amsterdam through a partnership with TMA Logistics, expanding its regional supply chain operations. Business News

Dow files major ethylene cartel lawsuit in Amsterdam court: Chemical manufacturer Dow has submitted a 1.1 billion euro damages claim following earlier cartel rulings involving Shell and Repsol. Business News

Exolum acquires stake in planned Port of Amsterdam CO2 terminal: Exolum has bought a minority stake in the planned SeaSeaS terminal in the Port of Amsterdam. The facility aims to collect and export up to 3.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year by 2030. Business News

FIFA considers selling minority stake in new commercial unit: World soccer governing body FIFA is weighing the sale of a minority stake in a new commercial arm. The entity’s total value is estimated at around 20 billion dollars. Business News

Spicy Indonesian restaurant from The Hague moves to De Baarsjes: A popular Indonesian restaurant known for its spicy dishes is expanding from The Hague to West Amsterdam. The new location is currently preparing to open its doors in De Baarsjes. Restaurant

Omoka opens waterside dining on Amsterdam Noord boat: A new venue on a boat in Noord serves Caribbean and West African plates paired with natural wines. The space also features pop-up DJ sessions by the water. Friday 17:00-0:00, Saturday 16:00-0:00, Ms. van Riemsdijkweg, Noord. Restaurant

PepeNero brings cheese wheels and aperitivo to Oost: This new Italian spot inside The Manor Hotel serves pasta prepared in large cheese wheels alongside multi-tiered aperitivo platters. Open Tuesday through Sunday. Restaurant

Viral Japanese Bakery at PAINDEMIE: A Japanese bakery pop-up on Kinkerstraat with fluffy shokupan milk bread, matcha treats, ice cream sandos and the viral honey butter toast, plus Sakura ice cream sodas. Shop / Store

Le Petit Bouillon d’Amsterdam: The Bouillon family’s newest French restaurant has opened on Stadionweg in Zuid: classic French dishes in an intimate setting, with a sunny no-reservations terrace serving snacks and bites. Restaurant

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