Friday August 14, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: emergency water pumps are deployed across the city, Pitou plays an open-air show in the Amsterdamse Bos, and Vinyl sets with Southern biscuits come to Tolhuistuin.
At a glance
☀️ Weather: Hi 36°C / 97°F (4° warmer than yesterday) · Lo 23°C / 73°F · 0% chance of rain · wind NW 14 km/h (8 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Great cycling weather all day.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 06:20 · Sunset 21:09 · New Moon · Moonrise 07:02 · Golden hour 20:39–21:09
🌊 Outdoors: Water 23°C / 73°F (swimmable) · Air quality: fair (AQI 38) · grass pollen moderate · Swimming discouraged at Spaarnwoude; warnings at Het Twiske and Strand De Hoge Dijk. The other 7 Amsterdam spots are clear.
💶 Markets: AEX 1,120 (+0.7%) · S&P 500 7,799 (+1.2%) · €1 = $1.15 · $1 = €0.87
🏆 Dutch sport: In swimming, Caspar Corbeau earned silver in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke at the European Championships, while Marrit Steenbergen took silver in the women’s 200-meter freestyle.
Water board installs emergency pumps around Amsterdam: The local water board has deployed extra pumps across waterways in Amsterdam to fight salinization. The emergency measures aim to keep incoming saltwater from damaging local freshwater ecosystems and city parks.
Symbolic wedding venue in Oost opens new season: Trouwen voor 1 Dag on Tweede Oosterparkstraat in Oost has refreshed its space for the season. The concept lets couples, friends, or strangers exchange fun, symbolic vows without any legal paperwork.
New digital entry system doubles Schiphol passport waits: Non-EU passport holders traveling through Schiphol Airport face wait times up to two hours due to the EU’s new digital Entry/Exit System. The biometric logging process is causing significant bottlenecks at border control.
Solar eclipse glasses spark resale prices up to €150: A shortage of solar eclipse viewing glasses has left local stores in Amsterdam sold out ahead of tonight’s event. On Marktplaats, pairs are reselling for up to €150 as people search for safe viewing options.
Scammers target Museum Night with fake TikTok sales: Scammers are using AI deepfake videos of Dutch celebrities on TikTok to sell fake tickets for Amsterdam’s Museum Night in November. The links direct buyers to fraudulent €65 ticket sites before official sales have even opened.
Rain and storms target North Holland this weekend: After a dry period, North Holland is expected to see rain and thunderstorms this Saturday. Meteorologists forecast a mostly dry Sunday, though more persistent wet weather is likely to follow next week.
Booking.com users targeted in internal chat scam: Scammers are targeting travelers using the Booking.com app by gaining access to real reservation details. They are contacting customers directly inside the official chat tool to request fraudulent payments.
New app helps Dutch learners practice spoken conversations: A new interactive app gives Dutch learners a way to practice speaking without people immediately switching to English. The tool lets users hold open-ended spoken conversations at their own pace.
E-bike battery fire forces night evacuation in De Pijp: Homes on Eerste Jan van der Heijdenstraat in De Pijp were evacuated overnight after an electric bicycle battery caught fire in a storage area. Firefighters controlled the blaze, and two people were treated for smoke inhalation.
Coentunnel access roads to close every weekend in August: Drivers near the Coentunnel in Amsterdam should expect weekend delays throughout August. The access roads will close completely every weekend for essential maintenance work.
Van Gogh Museum hosts summer family activities: The Van Gogh Museum is running a lineup of creative and interactive activities tailored for kids and families during the summer break. August 14, Van Gogh Museum. 📅 Museum / Educational
New Mothers Support Group meets in Zuidoost: A casual drop-in group offers new mothers a chance to connect during and after the maternity period. It aims to provide a practical community network for local and international parents. August 14, 10:30–11:45, NoLimit, Amsterdam-Zuidoost. 📅
DOCK hosts neighborhood party at Cremerplein to close summer break: Celebrate the final days of the summer school holidays at this neighborhood block party featuring family activities, games, and live music. August 14, 14:00 – 18:00, Cremerplein. 📅 Festival / Fair
Midwife practice amsterMAM offers mini photo sessions: Photographer Niels van Veen is holding short portrait sessions to capture pregnancy or newborn moments. Each session costs €29 and includes one high-resolution digital image. August 14, 09:30, amsterMAM, Asterweg 173, Amsterdam Noord. 📅
Daniel Lozakovich plays Sibelius at Het Concertgebouw: Violinist Daniel Lozakovich takes the stage to perform Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, followed by Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique Symphony. August 14, 2026, 20:00, Concertgebouw (Main Hall). 📅
The Heart Shaped Aces play Paradiso upstairs: Indie group The Heart Shaped Aces performs an intimate live set in the upstairs room at Paradiso. August 14, Doors: 19:00, Main program: 19:30, Paradiso.
Spoegwolf and Jack Parow perform in Amsterdam: South African rock group Spoegwolf shares the stage with rapper Jack Parow for an evening of live music. August 14, 19:00, Melkweg. 📅
Pitou plays open-air show at Amsterdamse Bos: Dutch singer-songwriter Pitou brings her folk-pop melodies and soaring vocal harmonies to the outdoor stage in the forest. August 14, 20:00, Het Amsterdamse Bostheater. 📅
Tiny House Sessions highlights Moluccan musical legacy: This evening celebrates iconic Moluccan artists like Johnny Manuhutu, members of Massada, Richard Loupatty, and Di-Amo Manuhutu. The session pairs live music with specialty food offerings. August 14, 19:00, Pakhuis de Zwijger. 📅
Grachtenfestival hosts Deniz Ispir and Anto Bayram Karamenderes: Violinist Deniz Ispir and pianist Anto Bayram Karamenderes play a classical morning concert together. The performance is part of the citywide Grachtenfestival program. August 14, 11:00–12:00, Yunus Emre Instituut. 📅
Sara Brink-Nielsen Trio plays jazz harp in thrift store: Harpist Sara Brink-Nielsen plays modern jazz accompanied by bass and drums in Amsterdam North. The performance takes place inside a local second-hand shop. August 14, 16:00–17:00, Kringloopwinkel de Lokatie (Buikslotermeerplein). 📅
Michelle Kumara plays lunch concert at Westerkerk: Violinist Michelle Kumara performs a free midday classical set inside the historic Westerkerk as part of the venue’s Young Talent concert series. August 14, 13:00–13:45, Westerkerk. 📅
Soul Bites brings acoustic music to Theater de Roode Bioscoop: Enjoy an evening of acoustic soul music and personal storytelling inside a historic, intimate local theater. August 14, 19:00, Theater de Roode Bioscoop. 📅
Stretch and Fold holds aperitivo hour featuring live music by Eliza: Unwind over drinks and live music by singer Eliza during an early evening aperitivo session. August 14, 17:00, Stretch and Fold. 📅
Vinyl sets and Southern biscuits come to Tolhuistuin: Rob Manga and friends spin an all-vinyl set while Stacks pops up in the garden serving Southern classics like fried chicken and biscuits. August 14, 19:00, Tolhuistuin. 📅 Food / Markets
Lab111 screens Pedro Almodóvar’s Volver: Revisit Almodóvar’s funny and emotional drama starring Penélope Cruz, presented in Spanish with English subtitles. August 14, 20:30, Lab111, Arie Biemondstraat 111. 📅 Film
Documentary highlights local characters at Theater Mascini: Watch Het Hart van Amsterdam, a documentary celebrating the neighborhood stories and distinct personalities of the city. August 14, 20:00, Theater Mascini. 📅 Film
Eye Filmmuseum screens restored classic Jour de fête: Jacques Tati’s classic comedy debut about an efficiency-obsessed French postman returns in a new 4K restoration. August 14, 12:00, Eye Filmmuseum. 📅 Film
Eye Filmmuseum shows classic farce La cage aux folles: Catch the legendary French comedy about a Saint-Tropez nightclub owner trying to hide his lifestyle from conservative in-laws. August 14, 18:45, Eye Filmmuseum. 📅 Film
The Exorcist returns to the screen in 4K: William Friedkin’s classic horror film is back in theaters with a restored 4K print. It is a chance to see the iconic film with updated visual and audio quality. August 13–22, LAB111. 📅 Film
CinéDialoog panel explores psychosis and reality: Six people who have experienced psychosis share their personal stories and discuss how they navigate consciousness and perception. The talk looks at how we distinguish between dreams and waking life. August 14, 19:00, De Balie. 📅 Talks / Ideas
Magician Rico Weeland performs close-up magic: Rico Weeland brings his close-up illusion show to a small theater setting. The evening promises an up-close look at sleight-of-hand magic tricks. August 14, 20:00, Scala Amsterdam. 📅
Athenaeum Boekhandel hosts Pride Art Route: The Spui bookstore presents a special art selection as part of the city’s Pride program. Visitors can stop by to browse the curated works. August 14, 17:00, Athenaeum Boekhandel Spui. 📅 Art / Museums
Polish comedians Sebastian Rejent and Bartosz Zalewski perform at Boom Chicago: Sebastian Rejent and Bartosz Zalewski bring a night of Polish-language stand-up comedy to Boom Chicago. August 14, 19:00, Southend Comedy Club. 📅 Comedy
Community BBQ and DJ set at Monk Amsterdam: Head to Monk’s terrace by the IJ for a Friday hangout. You can bring food for the open grill, listen to local DJs, and watch climbers on the outdoor board. August 14, 18:30, Monk Amsterdam. 📅 Tasting
Young Wine Society hosts garden gathering: Spend an evening trying a selection of wines in a garden setting during this casual social gathering. August 14, 18:00, Wijnhuis.Amsterdam. 📅 Tasting
Guided walking tour explores Amsterdam cinema spots: Walk through the city to visit filming locations from local productions like Baantjer to major international releases. August 14, Prins Hendrikkade 52. 📅 Tour
Wine and Conversation Night comes to Zeeburgerpad: This social meetup includes a glass of wine from Rebel Wines, background music, and conversation prompts to help start discussions. August 14, 19:00–22:00, Join The Wave, Zeeburgerpad 8. 📅 Tasting
Oche pairs social darts with DJ beats: Mingle and play at a social evening featuring house beats from a live DJ alongside food, drinks, and competitive interactive darts. August 14, 20:00, Oche, Utrechtsestraat 11. 📅 Games / Hobbies
De Bonte Zwaan hosts Hungarian wine tasting: Sip and learn about a selection of Hungarian wines during a cozy tasting evening hosted at the houseboat venue Dek West. August 14, 20:00, De Bonte Zwaan, Haparandadam. 📅 Tasting
Kompaszaal holds waterfront summer swing dance night: Enjoy a terrace session by the water starting with swing dance clinics for all skill levels, followed by a social party with live DJs. August 14, 21:30, Kompaszaal. 📅 Class
De VerbroederIJ offers outdoor Chi Kung sessions: Start your morning with a free outdoor movement class by the waterfront in Amsterdam North. The mindful Chi Kung session focuses on gentle movement and relaxation. August 14, 08:30, De VerbroederIJ. 📅 Class
Zeehoeve garden hosts weekly community gardening sessions on IJburg: Join neighbors every Friday morning to tend, harvest, and maintain the community vegetable garden on IJburg. No previous experience is required. August 14–October 30, 09:30 – 12:30, Zeehoeve Moestuin, IJburg. 📅 Volunteering
BREEN holds personal storytelling workshop: Participate in a guided creative workshop focused on exploring personal narratives, sharing stories, and exchanging perspectives. August 14, 11:00, BREEN. 📅 Workshop
Dutch pension funds gain ground on AI investments: Major Dutch pension funds operating under the updated system recorded positive second-quarter returns, largely driven by AI holdings. The gains offer early hopes of modest payout increases for future retirees. Business News
IND doubles job search window for work permit holders: The Immigration and Naturalisation Service has extended the job search period for work permit holders in the Netherlands who lose their jobs. International professionals now have twice as much time to secure new employment and maintain residency. Business News
ABN Amro mandates office presence and cuts jobs: ABN Amro is requiring employees in Amsterdam to spend at least 50% of their workweek in the office. The bank also confirmed 2,750 planned redundancies as part of a broader company reorganization. Business News
Adyen plans major data infrastructure expansion worldwide: Amsterdam-based payment company Adyen announced plans to invest €3 billion in proprietary data infrastructure over the next decade. The investment will build out new facilities across three continents to support its global network from Amsterdam. Business News
VU researchers design compact AI for offline robots: Researchers at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam have created ‘TeNet’, a framework that translates spoken instructions into compact neural networks. The system allows robots to process verbal commands instantly without needing a constant internet connection. Business News
Third of Dutch builders report staff shortages: A third of construction firms in the Netherlands are dealing with worker shortages, according to new industry data. The lack of qualified personnel threatens to delay major homebuilding projects and infrastructure work nationwide. Business News
Eetcafé Edita Restaurant
Restaurante Dona Restaurant
Vanoost Restaurant
sushi ikigai Restaurant
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: Gravity (Netflix), The Housemaid (HBO Max), Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S4 (SkyShowtime), Trying S5 (Apple TV+) 🎬
New on the big screen: Insidious: Out of the Further opens Thursday at Kinepolis Hoofddorp and Vue Amsterdam, Trainspotting returns Thursday to De Uitkijk and LAB111, and Awarapan 2 is now showing at Vue Amsterdam. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: A post asking where to catch crayfish from Amsterdam’s drying waterways drew debate over whether it’s legal, with commenters split on fishing permits, the risk of harvesting native species by mistake, and whether the Netherlands should just let people eat an invasive species.
Today’s supermarket deals: Hertog three chocolates ice cream (2 for €5.99) from Albert Heijn, Pampers diapers (2+2 free) from Jumbo.
Did you know? Claude Monet painted Amsterdam’s De Groenburgwal and Zuiderkerk in the late 19th century while visiting the city.
126 years ago today: On August 14th, 1900, Amsterdam’s first electric tram, also the first in the Netherlands, ran from Leidseplein to Haarlemmerplein.
Adoptable pet of the day: Meet Lola, a 7-year-old Labrador Retriever at Dierenopvang Amsterdam. Take a look →In tomorrow’s edition: Robin Hood (4+) premieres at the Amsterdamse Bostheater, a free Techlab workshop launches at Marineterrein, and the Colourful Noord Festival and mural unveiling begins at Tolhuistuin.
Have a great Friday, and pack an umbrella just in case.
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