Essentially Amsterdam – Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Tuesday September 8, 2026

Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: the search begins for a new night mayor, an edible garden founder receives city honours in Oud-West, and Boom Chicago marks thirty years on stage.

Kinkerbuurt residents fight on against longstay hotel: The Council of State cleared the development to proceed after years of legal disputes. Neighbours now plan to contest the operating licence and point to upcoming rental law changes.

Oasis hints at future Amsterdam concert: A cryptic video posted to social media points toward an upcoming show in the city. The Johan Cruijff Arena was also named in a leaked schedule published by British media.

Employers tackle Tuesday and Thursday office peaks: Offices, roads and trains face extreme congestion on Tuesdays and Thursdays while other days remain quiet. Employers and transport operators are now testing incentives and schedule changes to spread attendance across the week.

Boom Chicago, the Amsterdam improv theatre, gets the 60 Minutes treatment: CBS flagship 60 Minutes has profiled the Leidseplein comedy troupe that launched Seth Meyers, Jordan Peele and the creators of Ted Lasso. Correspondent Jon Wertheim reports on thirty years of American improv performed for Dutch crowds.

Amsterdam seeks new night mayor to succeed Freek Wallagh: The city is looking for its next nightlife representative, with applications now open to the public. Final voting takes place at the Melkweg venue in November.

City honours founder of Oud-West edible garden: Lea Witmondt received the Andreaspenning as Het Eetbare Plantsoen marked ten years in the Borgerbuurt. Deputy mayor Lian Heinhuis presented the honour for her community work.

NYC Garbage brings packaged street litter to Amsterdam: Artist Justin Gignac celebrated twenty-five years of selling trash cubes by launching an Amsterdam series. His limited edition of 174 boxes sold for up to 100 euros each.

IJburg cloud sightings to inspire neighborhood artwork: Residents are being invited to photograph shapes they spot in the sky above the district. Their submissions will help shape a new public art installation by Yasser Ballemans.

People mover proposed for the IJtunnel: An advocacy group has proposed installing automated shuttles in the tunnel to carry cyclists and pedestrians between Noord and the city centre. The system would use one car lane per tube.

Police broadcast voice of key Odido hack suspect: Investigators are broadcasting an audio recording of a caller involved in the massive data breach at telecom provider Odido. The man tricked customer support staff into giving him internal system access.

Community harvesting and shared dining at Stichting Jeugdland: Gather seasonal produce alongside a chef, cook together, and sit down at shared tables for dinner. 8 September, 17:00 – 20:30, Jeugdland. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP

Illustrations by Charlotte Dematons at WG Kunst: Original picture-book artwork fills the gallery walls for this autumn exhibition aimed at young readers and families. 8 September, WG Kunst. 📅 MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL

A theatrical children’s performance inside the central library theater: Young children sit in the library theater for an afternoon stage production centered on moving letters. 8 September, 15:30, OBA Oosterdok – OBA Theater. 📅 FAMILY SHOW

Aerial circus meets coming-of-age storytelling for older children: Josefina Rozic weaves fairy-tale imagery through fifty minutes of solo aerial work exploring feminine identity, aimed at audiences aged eight plus. 8 September, 18:15, 19:30, Theater De Krakeling. 📅 FAMILY SHOW

Attachment-focused sleep circles for new mothers: New mothers meet in a two-hour circle led by a sleep consultant to tackle nighttime routines. 8 September, 09:30, Hygiëastraat 8. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP

Peggy Lee theatrical jazz tribute in an intimate cinema: Live jazz and theatrical storytelling trace the life and repertoire of singer Peggy Lee on stage. 8 September, 20:00, Roode Bioscoop. 📅 JAZZ / BLUES

Morning chamber music and apple pie in Tuindorp Oostzaan: An hour of chamber pieces combining erhu, harp, strings, and clarinet, followed by fresh apple pie and tea. 8 September, 10:30, t Zonnehuis. 📅 CLASSICAL

Short acoustic sets and toy instruments in Oud-West: A three-act acoustic bill featuring a one-man band playing household junk, toys, cassette decks, and old record players. 8 September, 20:30, De Nieuwe Anita. 📅 WORLD / FOLK

Ronnie Wood and Imelda May in the Main Hall: An added rock set featuring guest vocals, with a commemorative poster by tattooist Henk Schiffmacher included. 8 September, 20:30, Paradiso. 📅 POP / ROCK

Baby Keem’s arena hip-hop tour arrives in Zuidoost: DJ Bridgeway opens at eight before the American rapper takes over to tour his second studio album. 8 September, AFAS Live. 📅 HIP-HOP / R&B

Free midday classical chamber music in Zuidas: Half an hour of seventeenth-century baroque songs played on cello, violin and guitar with countertenor vocals. 8 September, De Thomas. 📅 CLASSICAL

Jaguar Sun brings Canadian dream pop to Noord: Solo multi-instrumentalist Chris Minielly takes the stage for an evening of warm melodies and textured guitars. 8 September, 20:15, Tolhuistuin. 📅 POP / ROCK

Unscripted open-floor storytelling and dance on the Veemkade: Tellers mix unscripted spoken tales with live movement and impromptu staging in front of a listening crowd. 8 September, 20:00, Mezrab, Veemkade 576, 1019BL Amsterdam. 📅 THEATER

Explore eleven days of jury-picked Dutch theater productions: Selected productions run across eleven city stages, offering seven language-no-problem performances alongside free evening salon talks. 8 September, 19:00 – 23:00, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA). 📅 THEATER

Experimental theater and dance across twenty-three Amsterdam locations: Over two hundred independent shows take over neighbourhood bars, community gardens, warehouses, and black-box theaters. 8 September, Multiple times, Various locations. 📅 FESTIVALS

Robert Carsen directs a reversed verismo opera double bill: Staged inside the theater world, this Italian double bill swaps the usual sequence and opens with Pagliacci. 8 September, 19:30, Nationale Opera & Ballet, Grote Zaal. 📅 THEATER

Gijs Scholten van Aschat performs Jeroen Brouwers’s novel: A solo monologue staged with live musical accompaniment brings Jeroen Brouwers’s final novel to the main stage. 8 September, 19:30 – 21:00, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA). 📅 THEATER

Into the woods on a surreal gnome expedition: Audiences head straight out into the trees to observe a mythical gnome colony in an intense outdoor production. 8 September, 15:00 – 16:15, Amsterdamse Bostheater. 📅 THEATER

Cri(s)p explores dance through non-visual senses at Frascati: Created for both sighted and visually impaired visitors, this performance translates movement through sound, touch, and imagination. 8 September, 20:30, Frascati. 📅 THEATER

Former ASML head Peter Wennink discusses classroom artificial intelligence: Panelists gather in Amsterdam to discuss the direct impacts of artificial intelligence on schools and universities. 8 September, 16:30, Amsterdam. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS

Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope screened on the city beach: Headphones, bean bags and blankets are handed out on the sand before the Italian drama screens at sunset. 8 September, Pllek. 📅 FILM

Future food supplies debated in the Grote Zaal: Speakers and audiences unpack coming shifts in agriculture and global food production during an evening discussion. 8 September, 20:00, Pakhuis de Zwijger. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS

Build confidence in open water with small-group adult swimming: Coaches lead forty-five minutes of stroke practice in small groups for adults who want to feel safer around water. 8 September, 20:00 – 20:45, Zuiderbad. 📅 SPORTS (ACTIVE)

Book an evening haircut session inside De Nieuwe Anita: Musician and hairdresser Timm trims clean, pre-washed locks by appointment across an easygoing evening inside the westside living-room venue. 8 September, 19:30, De Nieuwe Anita. 📅 SOCIAL / DRINKS

Free textile crafting and sharing circle for mothers: Mothers gather over craft supplies and conversation, with childcare on hand so everyone can focus on stitching. 8 September, 10:00, Lola lokaal 432. 📅 WORKSHOP

Try your hand at lacrosse with the Amsterdam Lions: Wear sport shoes and run basic drills outdoors on the turf, open to completely fresh beginners. 8 September, 20:00 – 22:00, Zeeburgia Fields. 📅 SPORTS

Learn Dutch spirit history through an open jenever tasting: Bartenders pour two regional styles and explain traditional distillation methods alongside refills during an informal hour. 8 September, 17:00 – 18:00, Prins & Aap, Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht. 📅 TASTING

Informal multilingual conversation tables by the marina dock: Grab a sticker showing your languages and join small dockside tables practicing Spanish, Dutch, French, or Japanese. 8 September, 18:30, I-Dock. 📅 SOCIAL / DRINKS

Drop-in doodling and free-flow drawing at LOLA Lieven: Paper and pens are laid out for anyone wanting two low-key hours of sketching over drinks. 8 September, 18:30 – 20:30, LOLA Lieven. 📅 WORKSHOP

Learn 1950s rock ‘n’ roll footwork then stay to dance: Beginners and returning dancers learn classic fifties steps across tiered classes before an open social practice with drinks. 8 September, 19:30 – 23:00, KZ Kompaszaal. 📅 CLASS

Practice conversational Dutch alongside shared community kitchen plates: Language learners practice everyday Dutch conversation, while local volunteers help at tables before dinner is served. 8 September, 19:00 – 20:00, De Sering. 📅 VOLUNTEERING

Cocktail industry trade fair and spirits tasting: Over fifteen hundred square meters of stalls, educational talks, and tastings covering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic spirits. 8 September, 12:00 – 19:00, WestWeelde. 📅 CONFERENCE

Trade seminars and tastings at the annual cocktail expo: Bartenders and brand owners meet for industry seminars, product booths, and an evening floor afterparty. 8 September, Westweelde en de Wester. 📅 CONFERENCE

Rooftop drinks for startup operators and tech founders: Founders and investors share a three-hour rooftop gathering with no formal speeches, scheduled pitches, or presentations. 8 September, 19:00, Hugo de Grootplein 6. 📅 NETWORKING

Group facilitation workshop using Nonviolent Communication tools: Participants learn practical methods to guide challenging workplace meetings, calm group friction, and balance dominant voices. 8 September, 09:30, The School of Life Amsterdam. 📅 WORKSHOP / TRAINING

CAFÉ a Côté Amsterdam: This unpretentious wine bar in Amsterdam provides a relaxed setting for an easy start to the evening. Guests will find an approachable wine list to enjoy in a warm, welcoming space.

t Heemelrijck: Located in De Pijp, this cozy dining room features 1960s decor. Visitors can enjoy traditional Dutch recipes, including comforting stamppotten, sole, and classic French toast in a nostalgic setting.

Mastro Suppli: This Roman street food spot on Bilderdijkstraat serves suppli, a snack between a croquette and arancini. Each order is fried fresh with fillings like classic ragu, spicy nduja, or a vegan option.

Looking ahead: what’s on in Amsterdam this week →

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