Tuesday August 25, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: the Labor Inspectorate fines gym Saints & Stars, family animation workshops at NEMO Science Museum, and early Andy Warhol fabric prints at Museum Cobra.
At a glance
🌦️ Weather: Hi 25°C / 77°F (4° warmer than yesterday) · Lo 15°C / 59°F · 0% chance of rain · wind E 20 km/h (11 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Good cycling all day.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 06:39 · Sunset 20:44 · Waxing Gibbous · Moonrise 19:56 · Golden hour 20:14 to 20:44
🌊 Outdoors: Air quality fair (AQI 28) · grass pollen low
💶 Markets: AEX 1,110 (+0.4%) · S&P 500 7,661 (-0.2%) · €1 = $1.17 · $1 = €0.86
Labor Inspectorate fines Amsterdam gym Saints & Stars: The Labor Inspectorate has fined Amsterdam gym Saints & Stars 316,875 euros for employing staff without valid permits. The company also received two warnings and faces temporary closure if violations continue.
Schiphol security guards begin walkouts over workload: Security staff at Schiphol Airport will stage multiple 15-minute walkouts on Tuesday and Wednesday to protest high workloads. The industrial action is expected to cause longer wait times at passenger checkpoints.
Looming inheritance wave to widen housing divide: A projected €300 billion wave of gifts and inheritances will widen inequality across the Dutch housing market over the next decade. Mortgage advisor Van Bruggen warns the transfers will let recipients outbid first-time buyers.
Weesperstraat narrows to single lane for trial: Night work begins on 31 August to reduce Weesperstraat to a single lane in each direction. The two-month trial also lowers the speed limit to 30 km/h ahead of a permanent redesign.
Jitse Groen invests in rival food platform Butlaroo: Just Eat Takeaway founder Jitse Groen has invested in Butlaroo, an ordering platform founded by Daniël and Lucas Duwaer. The business expects its annual revenue to double within the next year.
International media reacts to final Zandvoort Grand Prix: The Dutch Grand Prix completed its final race at Zandvoort this weekend after organisers decided not to renew their contract. Local favourite Max Verstappen crashed out on the opening lap before Lando Norris claimed victory.
Average earners can afford seven Amsterdam homes: A buyer on an average income can afford just seven of the thousands of properties currently listed in Amsterdam. Across the entire country, only one thousand homes meet that same affordability threshold.
New demountable timber library opens in Zuidoost: The Public Library of Amsterdam has completed OBA Next Lab on a previously vacant square in Zuidoost. Built from modular timber units, the temporary community hub is designed to be dismantled after seven years.
Family workshops exploring early animation and optics at NEMO Science Museum: Hands-on family workshops exploring nineteenth-century communications, early animation and optical mirror projections. NEMO Science Museum. KIDS WORKSHOP
Free trial music lessons and workshops for children across Amsterdam: Free trial music sessions for children up to twelve, spanning instrument tasters, group singing, and pop or orchestral ensembles. 25 August, 09:00 – 20:00, Diverse Locaties / Various locations. KIDS WORKSHOP
Island science and gardening workshops for children at Forteiland Pampus: Island workshops for primary school children testing solar cooking, water purification and vegetable garden harvesting. 11:00 – 16:00, Forteiland Pampus. KIDS WORKSHOP
English storytelling and toddler crafts at OBA Roelof Hartplein: Free drop-in picture book reading and simple craft making for toddlers aged two to four. 25 August, 10:00, OBA Roelof Hartplein – Jeugdhoek Jip en Janneke. STORY / READING
Summer scavenger hunt for kids at Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam: A scavenger card hunt across the botanical grounds for kids spotting thorny plants, bright flowers and insects. 25 August, Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam. OUTDOOR / ACTIVE
Historic organ concerts fill the gothic hall of De Nieuwe Kerk: Hear the monumental historic instruments played from the gallery of the gothic hall on Dam Square. 19:30 – 20:30, De Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam.
The Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester plays Mahler at The Concertgebouw: Philippe Jordan returns to conduct the youth orchestra through the sweeping movements and festive finale of Mahler’s Seventh Symphony. 25 August, 20:00, The Concertgebouw.
Brooklyn jazz rap trio Digable Planets plays Amsterdamse Bostheater: The Brooklyn jazz-rap trio bring their early-nineties cuts to the open-air theatre stage in the woods. 25 August, 18:00, Amsterdamse Bostheater.
South African artist Booshle G brings his debut to Tolhuistuin: South African multi-instrumentalist Booshle G tours his debut album, mixing folk, pop, and rock built around themes of resilience. 25 August, 20:30, Tolhuistuin.
Dream pop singer Rachel Rhea headlines an intimate night at Cinetol: Canadian singer-songwriter Rachel Rhea brings her intimate, soul-tinged dream pop to the stage alongside Mary Ember and Leonoor. 25 August, 20:30 – 23:30, Stichting Kunst- en Cultuurhuis Cinetol.
Melancholic pop star Joji brings his arena tour to Ziggo Dome: Downbeat R&B and melancholic pop from the Japanese-Australian songwriter, best known for slow-burning ballads like Slow Dancing in the Dark. 25 August, 20:00, Ziggo Dome.
Early Andy Warhol textile and fabric prints at Museum Cobra: Playful 1950s commercial fabric prints of pretzels, lemons and ice cream sundaes from before the artist’s Pop Art fame. 10:00 – 17:00, Museum Cobra. ART / MUSEUMS
Open air cinema festival Pluk de Nacht returns to Het Stenen Hoofd: Beach chairs on the IJ waterfront showing unreleased festival features, documentaries and shorts under the open sky. 19:00 – 00:00, Het Stenen Hoofd. FILM
Open-air film screening by the waterfront at Pllek: Open-air film screening on the artificial beach, with deckchairs looking out over the water. 25 August, 21:10, Pllek. FILM
Linda Hayford brings science fiction popping dance to ITA: Seven dancers move through popping techniques and science-fiction imagery, shifting between controlled isolations and fluid ensemble work. 25 August, 21:30 – 22:20, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA). DANCE / PERFORMANCE
Headphone cinema among the trees at Proeflokaal ‘t Blauwe Theehuis: An open-air headphone screening tucked among the trees at the park’s circular pavilion. 25 August, Proeflokaal ‘t Blauwe Theehuis. FILM
Nicoline van Harskamp stages a South Indian epic with live actors: Nicoline van Harskamp stages a South Indian epic with live actors, an oud player and a synthetic performer. 25 August, 13:30, Nieuwe Doelenstraat 16. THEATER
Free self-guided audio walk exploring the history of city drinking water: A free self-guided audio tour tracking the city’s long struggle for clean drinking water across 25 locations. Haarlemmerpoort. TOUR
Beginner drawing and painting course at Amsterdam House of Arts and Crafts: Step-by-step studio instruction designed for complete beginners who want to learn basic drawing and painting techniques. 25 August, 19:00, Amsterdam House of Arts & Crafts. CLASS
Hands-on AI workshop to set up Claude and ChatGPT for daily work: Hands-on setup time to configure Claude and ChatGPT for daily work tasks without needing any coding skills. 25 August, 17:30, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. WORKSHOP
ADHD dating workshop on navigating modern romance at House of Watt: ADHD specialist Kate D’Anvers breaks down six common relationship hurdles and practical ways to navigate modern romance. 25 August, 18:30, House of Watt, James Wattstraat 73. WORKSHOP
Beginner road cycling clinic covering group riding skills and mechanics: Road cycling fundamentals covering group riding, cornering techniques and basic roadside mechanics in a beginner-friendly pack. 25 August, 18:00, Tour de Amsterdam. SPORTS (ACTIVE)
Casual after-work drinks for international residents at Oaxaca: Informal after-work gathering for international residents over drinks at the central Mexican restaurant. 25 August, 19:00, Oaxaca, Spuistraat 279.
Social bouldering evening for all skill levels at Monk Bouldergym: An open climbing evening for all skill levels, with routes marked out for first-timers. 25 August, 19:30, Monk Bouldergym. SPORTS (ACTIVE)
Fyka: The team behind FYR has opened a bakery and lunch room on the Singel, serving sandwiches, patisserie, and viennoiserie. BAR / CAFÉ
Mr. Watson: A botanical roast room serving cocktails and mushrooms prepared over an open fire, entirely without meat or fish. RESTAURANT
The Art Cafe: A cafe in West built around making things, designed for anyone who likes to sit down and craft. BAR / CAFÉ
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: Danny Go! (Netflix), Vessel (Prime Video), Geitenmeid (HBO Max), Futurama (Disney+)
New on the big screen: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – part 1 returns Sunday to Filmhallen and Vue Amsterdam, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 to Filmhallen and Vue Amsterdam, and Harry Potter Marathon (deel 5 t/m 8) opens Sunday at Pathé Amsterdam Noord and Pathé Arena. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: A post asking what has changed in Amsterdam over the past twenty years drew replies pointing to the surge in crowds, the rise of fatbikes and dangerous cargo bikes, and a city center dominated by chain stores and English speakers.
Today’s supermarket deals: Ben & Jerry’s Cookie dough (2+3 free) from Albert Heijn, Lay’s Max, Hamka’s, Doritos, Bugles, Cheetos (2 for €4.50) from Jumbo
Did you know? The British detective series Van der Valk is built around Amsterdam as a modern crime-drama setting, not just a pretty backdrop.
56 years ago today: On August 25th, 1970, sailors and marines swept the Dam clear of Damslapers, escalating the clash over sleeping at the National Monument.
Adoptable pet of the day: Meet Duplo, a 4-year-old European Shorthair at Dierenopvang Amsterdam. Take a look →In case you missed it
Our three most clicked-on items from yesterday’s newsletter.
In tomorrow’s edition: Farm chores and animal feeding at Hoeve Ravenstein in Baarn, the musical We Will Rock You at DeLaMar Theater in Amsterdam, and a slime and stress ball making workshop at Hemlab in Zaandam.
Running something in Amsterdam? Tell us about it and we will take a look.
Have a great Tuesday, and make sure to stay hydrated today.
Want to make sure you never miss a day of Essentially Amsterdam? Subscribe here.
