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Essentially Amsterdam – Monday, September 7, 2026

Essentially Amsterdam
Monday September 7, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: thousands swim the city canals for ALS research, a boil water notice hits parts of Noord, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performs Dvořák at The Concertgebouw.
At a glance
🌦️ Weather: Hi 26°C / 79°F (4° warmer than yesterday) · Lo 18°C / 64°F · 3% chance of rain · wind SW 21 km/h (11 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Good cycling all day.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 07:01 · Sunset 20:14 · Waning Crescent · Golden hour 19:44 to 20:14
🌊 Outdoors: Air quality fair (AQI 24) · grass pollen low
💶 Markets: AEX 1,114 (+0.8%) · S&P 500 7,719 (-0.4%) · €1 = $1.16 · $1 = €0.86
News
Thousands swim Amsterdam canals for ALS research: More than 3,000 participants took part in the Amsterdam City Swim on Sunday to raise funds for muscular disease research. Swimmers completed a two-kilometre course from the Keizersgracht to the Marineterrein.
Boil water warning issued for parts of Noord: Waternet has warned residents on several streets in Amsterdam-Noord that tap water might be contaminated. Anyone in the affected area must boil water for three minutes before use.
Dispute over advertising flags on Rijnstraat sidewalk: Enforcement officers ordered an erotic massage parlour to remove two sidewalk flags while neighbouring shops kept theirs. The city district has now reversed course after a complaint of selective enforcement.
Free perks for city residents on their birthday: Several chains, eateries, and cultural institutions in Amsterdam offer complimentary treats to people celebrating a birthday. Most offers require advance registration in a customer loyalty program with a recorded birth date.
Twelve apple pie variations across Amsterdam West: Bakeries and cafes across Oud-West, Westerpark, and Bos en Lommer offer distinct takes on the Dutch classic. Options range from traditional family recipes to gluten-free pastries and apple pie gelato.
Community festival returns to Amsterdam Oost in September: Dozens of local organisations will gather on Oranje-Vrijstaatplein to showcase neighbourhood projects, services and activities. Admission to the afternoon programme is free and open to all.
Family / Children
Harvest in the garden and cook at Elixer: Spend the morning picking and mulching before learning to cook your harvest with restaurant chefs, then share dinner. 7 September, Natuurspeeltuin Jeugdland. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP
Josefina Rozic takes aerial acrobatics into coming-of-age theatre: A fifty-minute solo acrobatic show exploring girlhood, growing up, and identity, aimed at audiences aged eight and older. 7 September, 18:15, Theater De Krakeling. 📅 FAMILY SHOW
Building adventure islands at Kraaiennest makerspace: Children combine craft materials with technical tools to design their own miniature island landscapes on a Monday afternoon. 7 September, 15:00, OBA Next Lab Kraaiennest – Makerspace. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP
Music
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra plays Dvořák’s New World Symphony: Manfred Honeck conducts Dvořák’s Ninth, alongside Barber’s violin concerto with soloist Augustin Hadelich and dances by Carlos Simon. 7 September, 20:15 – 22:20, Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam. 📅 CLASSICAL
Dvořák’s Ninth and Samuel Barber with violinist Augustin Hadelich: Guest soloist Augustin Hadelich tackles Barber’s violin concerto before Manfred Honeck leads the visiting orchestra in Dvořák. 7 September, 20:15, The Concertgebouw. 📅 CLASSICAL
Diljit Dosanjh live in the arena: The Punjabi singer and film star brings his stadium-scale touring show to the arena floor. 7 September, Ziggo Dome. 📅 POP / ROCK
Ronnie Wood and The AMMO Band with Imelda May: Guitarist Ronnie Wood brings The AMMO Band and guest singer Imelda May, with posters by Henk Schiffmacher included. 7 September, 20:30, Paradiso. 📅 POP / ROCK
The Internet frontwoman brings smooth R&B to Melkweg: The Los Angeles vocalist and Odd Future alumna plays an evening headline set in the OZ room. 7 September, 19:00, Melkweg. 📅 HIP-HOP / R&B
The Orielles bring indie rock and shoegaze to Toekomstmuziek: Live guitars and shoegaze rhythms fill the hall as the British indie band performs an evening set. 7 September, 19:00, Toekomstmuziek. 📅 POP / ROCK
Sing Beyoncé and Jungle with no audition required: An accessible, audition-free pop community choir gathers to work on contemporary vocal arrangements across North Amsterdam. 7 September, 17:30, Tolhuistuin, IJzaal Zonzij. 📅 CHOIR / VOCAL
Events: Watch
Over two hundred fringe performances across twenty-three city venues: Emerging theatre and dance makers stage experimental works inside bars, warehouses, gardens and established independent stages. 7 September, Multiple times, Various locations. 📅 FESTIVALS
Sixty police officers and sixty citizens share the stage: Direct theatrical encounters and candid conversation about discrimination, built after months of theatre makers embedding with local officers. 7 September, 19:30 – 21:30, Frascati. 📅 THEATER
Stand-up comedy with screen actor Ron Funches: Sitcom actor and animation voice talent Ron Funches takes the comedy club microphone for an English stand-up set. 7 September, 19:00, Boom Chicago. 📅 COMEDY
Aerial acrobatics meet shadow play in sensory circus: Judy Young combines aerial hoop work, live sound, and shadow theatre to explore fear through physical performance. 7 September, CC Amstel. 📅 DANCE / PERFORMANCE
A vegetarian dinner, psychosis documentary and director conversation: A communal meal followed by a documentary exploring firsthand experiences of psychosis, ending with an open floor discussion. 7 September, 18:30 – 21:00, Theater de Roode Bioscoop. 📅 FILM
Margaret Lansink opens mixed-media photo show at Bildhalle: Prints on delicate Japanese washi paper meet collage and acrylic paint in an opening gathering with the artist. 7 September, 18:00, Bildhalle. 📅 ART / MUSEUMS
Rum specialist Ian Burrell steps behind the bar at Dutch Courage: A three-hour evening guest shift pouring specialty rums ahead of the Perfect Serve Barshow on Zeedijk. 7 September, 20:00 – 23:00, Dutch Courage. 📅 FOOD / MARKETS
Neighbourhood grants for energy-saving projects in Amsterdam-West: Local resident groups can apply for grants from 500 to 10,000 euros for community energy-saving initiatives. 7 September, Buurtbespaarfonds West. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS
Flatmate friction reimagined through comedy and shadow puppetry: Ratri Notosudirdjo turns domestic household tensions and unspoken excuses into a half-hour shadow play with live sound. 7 September, Vlaams Cultuurhuis de Brakke Grond. 📅 ART / MUSEUMS
Circus cabaret on a Monday night in the Jordaan: An intimate stage hosts physical acts, variety routines and cabaret performance close to the canal. 7 September, 20:30, Theater Mascini. 📅 THEATER
Events: Do
Quiet reading and book swapping aboard an evening canal cruise: Bring a favourite title to trade, grab a welcome drink, and read quietly on deck while cruising. 7 September, 18:00 – 20:00, Amstel 51. 📅 SOCIAL / DRINKS
A Paris chef serves lunch on handcrafted Karatsu pottery: Twelve seats per sitting, a traditional ichijū-sansai meal, and guests take home ceramic pieces used at the table. 7 September, 11:30, TIME & STYLE. 📅 TASTING
Three days drafting, cutting and stitching bespoke denim trousers: A master tailor walks small groups through drafting patterns, cutting heavy cloth and running industrial sewing machines. 7 September, 10:00 – 16:00, Denim City, De Hallen. 📅 WORKSHOP
Polish your conversational Dutch through theatrical improvisation: Eight intermediate speakers use theatre games, role plays and unscripted short scenes to build spoken fluency without overthinking. 7 September, 18:00, Language Corner Amsterdam. 📅 WORKSHOP
Singing classic Dutch levenslied together at Studio de Kat: Drop in without experience to sing Hazes and Shaffy classics, starting off with gentle warm-ups and vocal exercises. 7 September, 20:00 – 21:00, Marineterrein. 📅 SOCIAL / DRINKS
Sing or play along with an international neighbourhood orchestra: Musicians and vocalists meet in Danie Theronstraat to practice songs from around the world together. 7 September, 15:30 – 17:30, Boost. 📅 WORKSHOP
Board games, ink painting, and free food for newcomers: Drop into an open lounge with Mario Kart, collage making, and ping pong, aimed at students starting the year. 7 September, 16:00 – 22:00, VOX-POP. 📅 SOCIAL / DRINKS
New in Town
Utage Sake Bar: Decorated with sand-colored plasterwork and traditional curtains, this Japanese bar serves sharing dishes and tapas paired with a selection of premium sake.
Poppy: Located at Papaverhoek 39 in Amsterdam-Noord, this lively venue offers crisp pizzas and drinks. Guests will find ample space for large groups alongside weekend DJ sets.
Brunchdale: Recently opened in Amsterdam-Noord, this cozy spot serves classic brunch dishes like eggs Benedict alongside homemade banana bread and sweet treats. Families will also find a dedicated children’s menu.
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: Gone Girl (Prime Video), Say Yes To The Dress Benelux (HBO Max), Casper (Disney+), Fatale (SkyShowtime)
New on the big screen: The Death of Robin Hood is now showing at 10 cinemas, and Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger opens Thursday at 9 cinemas. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: A post asking where to offload used university books drew suggestions to leave them at local street libraries or thrift stores, though commenters quickly got sidetracked arguing over an Elon Musk biography in the stack and debating whether it belonged in the trash.
Today’s supermarket deals: AH Fresh American spicy salami pizza (2 for €12.00) from Albert Heijn, All Rummo pasta (1+1 free) from Jumbo.
Did you know? Paradiso opened in 1968 as the Cosmic Relaxation Centre Paradiso, turning a former religious building into one of Amsterdam’s most famous pop venues.
146 years ago today: On September 7th, 1880, Amsterdam granted the Bell Telephone company its city concession, clearing the way for the capital’s first public telephone network.
Adoptable pet of the dayAdoptable pet of the day: Meet Peaches, a 3-year-old cat at De Poezenboot. Take a look →
In case you missed it
Our three most clicked-on items from yesterday’s newsletter.
In tomorrow’s edition: Dr. Joy DeGruy speaks on intergenerational trauma at Pakhuis de Zwijger, and a textile workshop on Dutch slavery history meets at SHEBANG Amsterdam.
Have a great Monday.
Running something in Amsterdam? Tell us about it and we will take a look.
The early September mornings are turning crisp, so bundle up if you are heading out early.
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