Amsterdam's June heat record breaks at 38.2°C, a red lemur makes a brief Artis escape, and the Wallen Festival takes over the old city.
At a glance
🌙 Sun & moon: Waxing Gibbous · Moonrise 20:43 · Golden hour 21:36–22:06
🌊 Outdoors: Water 22°C / 72°F (swimmable) · Air quality: fair (AQI 30) · grass pollen high
💶 Markets: AEX 920.5 (+0.8%) · S&P 500 7,354.02 (-0.1%) · €1 = $1.09 · $1 = €0.92
🏆 Dutch sport: Soccer: Netherlands beat Tunisia 3-1 ([skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/football/tunisia-vs-netherlands/report/549825)) · Formula 1: Max Verstappen finished 4th in Austrian Grand Prix Practice 2 ([formula1.com](https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2026/austria)) · Beach handball: Netherlands women beat Croatia 2-0 (26-16, 22-12) ([ihf.info](https://www.ihf.info/competitions/women/307/12th-ihf-womens-beach-handball-world-championships-2026-croatia/268827/news/284883))
Code Red heat alert extended into second day: Meteorologists extended the most severe Code Red weather alert into a second consecutive day for parts of the Netherlands, with thunderstorms expected as the weekend approaches.
Spaarndammertunnel closing for 10-day traffic center connection: The Spaarndammertunnel in Amsterdam West will close for ten days to complete a connection to the traffic center. Exact dates were not confirmed. Location: Spaarndammertunnel, Amsterdam West.
Swimmers warned as drowning deaths rise during heat peak: With temperatures forecast to hit 39°C in parts of the Netherlands, KNMI issued warnings to swimmers as drowning deaths climbed during the extreme heat.
Dutch June temperature record broken at 38.2°C: A new Dutch June temperature record of 38.2°C was officially recorded and confirmed by weather services. Eindhoven, June 26, 2:40 p.m.
Red lemur escapes Artis Zoo, tranquilized and recovered: A red lemur escaped from Artis Zoo and was tranquilized and recovered by staff the same day. Artis Zoo, Amsterdam, June 27, around 12:30 p.m.
Kids Workshop
Science in Hemlab: high towers fall (or don't): Kids ages 7–14 build and test towers in this hands-on workshop at a children's science lab. June 27, 15:00–17:00, Hemlab.
Family Show
Meneer Monster at Openluchttheater: A family performance takes place at the open-air theater in Vondelpark. June 27, Openluchttheater.
GRRRimlach, Teatro Munganga theater play (ages 4+): A theatrical performance for children four and up plays at Teatro Munganga. June 27, Teatro Munganga, Schinkelhavenstraat.
Jörd, HF Lab x DeGasten: A short Holland Festival production for families performs at one of the city's premier concert venues. June 27, 17:00–17:30, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ.
UITKIJKERS: circus show at CC Amstel: A circus-themed performance, Monki Business, plays for families at CC Amstel. June 27, CC Amstel.
KOHA Open Podium: young musicians showcase: The youngest students take their first steps on a large stage in an evening of classical music. June 27, De Duif, Prinsengracht 754.
JTSZO Summer Festival: mixed evening and De Nikswinkel (ages 12+): Youth theater school Zuidoost presents a mixed performance evening including De Nikswinkel for audiences twelve and up. June 27, Bijlmer Park Theater.
Outdoor / Active
Early-bird boat tour: Ankeveense Lakes: A guided morning boat tour departs at dawn for the Ankeveense Lakes, a calm, scenic outing for families and early risers. June 27, 05:30–07:30, Ankeveense IJsclub.
Festival / Fair
Stenen Hoofd neighborhood festival: This free annual block party runs from afternoon into evening with live music, affordable food and drinks, a climbing wall, and a bounce castle for kids. June 27, 14:00–22:30, Het Stenen Hoofd.
Kunstbende Finale: Young artists and performers compete in this national youth arts finale spanning music, dance, theater, and more. June 27, Melkweg.
Kids festival at Kostverlorenhof: A lively festival with games, crafts, and activities for children fills the shopping center's space. June 27, Winkelcentrum Kostverlorenhof.
Toddler and preschooler club: A workshop session for the youngest kids runs at Jeugdland. June 27, Jeugdland.
Mini Mini Art Show: A celebration of creativity made by small hands, this children's art show takes place at the NDSM Treehouse. June 27, NDSM Treehouse.
Digital family game at Rijksmuseum: Families with children seven and up can play a museum-wide interactive game together inside the Rijksmuseum. June 27, Rijksmuseum.
Priemgeval at Theater Bellevue: A show billed for everyone who is eleven or who has ever been eleven runs at Theater Bellevue. June 27, Theater Bellevue.
Theater
Aladdin the Musical (ages 4+): A stage production of the classic story runs at DeLaMar, suited for children four and up. June 27, DeLaMar.
VriendenLoterij Summer Concerts at Concertgebouw: A full day of classical and pop programming kicks off this annual summer series. June 27, 12:00–23:00, Concertgebouw.
Spice: Dancehall queen at Tolhuistuin: Jamrock brings reggae, dancehall, and soca back to Tolhuistuin with Spice, one of the genre's most recognized headliners, topping the bill. June 27, Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam-Noord.
fakemink: A Terrible Beauty – The Tour: Underground rap act fakemink takes the main stage at Paradiso. Doors 19:00, support 19:30, main program 20:30. June 27, Paradiso.
Amsterdam 2026 Music Festival: ZSS, Korolova, Âme, HUGEL, and Innellea headline this electronic music festival. June 27.
RAVE-L at Muziekgebouw: Les Apaches! and Parrish Smith perform as part of the Holland Festival program. June 27, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, Grote Zaal.
Jjerome87 (Joe Newman of Alt-J) in-store: Alt-J's Joe Newman appears at Concerto under his solo alias Jjerome87. June 27, Concerto, Utrechtsestraat 52–60.
Free sing-along concert at Westerkerk: A free, participatory concert open to all at one of Amsterdam's most iconic church venues. June 27, 14:00–15:30, Westerkerk.
Hodn and Sol Band's Netherlands debut: Hodn plays Amsterdam for the first time, joined by Sol Band making their first-ever Netherlands appearance. June 27, A Beautiful Mess, Oosterdokskade.
Afro-Brazilian jazz with Dandara Modesto and Edwin Correia: A live music evening blending Afro-Brazilian traditions and jazz. June 27, Munganga Theater.
Les Apaches: ! / Tatyana Jane – Rave-L: Les Apaches! and Tatyana Jane perform in this Holland Festival evening of contemporary music and dance. June 27, 20:30–22:20, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ.
SLAPFUNK × MARIMBA at BRET: A music night combining the energy of SLAPFUNK with marimba. June 27, BRET.
Bohemian Balkan night with Nadara Transylvanian Gypsy Band: Nadara Transylvanian Gypsy Band brings high-energy Balkan folk music to an intimate Amsterdam venue. June 27, Mezrab.
Jjerome87 (Joe Newman of Alt-J) in-store at Concerto: Alt-J's Joe Newman performs in-store as his solo project Jjerome87. June 27, Concerto.
Member concert: Miro Petkov Trio and guests: Trumpeter Miro Petkov leads a spirited evening of songs, rhythms, and improvisation with Felix Schlarmann, River Adomeit, Peter Prommel, and secret guests. June 27, Splendor.
La Época: Homenaje a Cali (1960s–70s): A music and dance celebration honoring the golden era of Cali-style salsa from the 1960s and 70s. June 27, Hotel Arena.
Food / Markets
Italian supper club in a hidden garden: Coravin and RIVVIA host a seasonal Italian dinner with curated wines in a tucked-away Amsterdam garden. June 27, RIVVIA, Keizersgracht.
IJ-Hallen flea market at NDSM: Amsterdam's large flea market returns to NDSM with stalls full of secondhand clothing, curiosities, and more. June 27, 09:00–16:30, NDSM.
Talks / Ideas
Curious walk through hidden Amsterdam: A relaxed group walk for people who enjoy cities and conversation, starting at Beursplein and heading beyond the obvious tourist spots. June 27, meet at Beursplein.
Festivals
Wallen Festival: Residents, entrepreneurs, and cultural makers curate this two-day neighborhood festival across the Wallen and Nieuwmarkt area, with music, DJs, and free entry. June 27–28, various locations.
Wallen Festival cleanup and coffee: Join a neighborhood cleanup as part of the Wallen Festival, then wind down with drinks at De Haven van Texel, Sint Olofssteeg 11. June 27.
Wallen Festival across the neighborhood: Free entry, music, DJs, and indoor and outdoor programming spread across the Wallen and Nieuwmarkt for two full days. June 27–28, 12:00–22:00, various locations.
Wallenfestival at Brakke Grond: De Brakke Grond hosts programming as part of the broader Wallen Festival running across the neighborhood. June 27, Brakke Grond.
Block party: Marimba invites Slapfunk: An outdoor block party at Cultuurpark Westergas running from afternoon into evening. June 27, 14:00–22:00, Cultuurpark Westergas.
Jong Talent Summer Festival at Conservatorium van Amsterdam: The three young-talent departments of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam close out the year together with performances across two days. June 27, 15:00–19:00; June 28, 13:00–18:00.
Kunstbende Young Creators Festival finale: Melkweg is taken over by national finalists aged 13–19 who won provincial heats earlier this year, showing work across disciplines. June 27, Melkweg.
1-hour reading rave at NEMO: Bring a book and join a free, calm hour of social reading on NEMO's rooftop, no screens, no sweat. June 27, 11:00–12:00, NEMO Science Museum rooftop, Oosterdokskade.
Special Social Club summer party: This inclusive club night at Tolhuistuin welcomes everyone, dance, chat, or just enjoy the atmosphere. Ages 18+. June 27, 19:00–22:30, Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam-Noord.
Sprezzatura: fake Italians, real disco: A quirky themed disco night at Huis van Iemand Anders with a consistent Italian-pretense concept and solid dancefloor energy. June 27, 22:00–03:00.
Chess, coffee, and house music at Westerperk: Better Than Acid throws a summer party mixing board games, coffee, and house music in a casual afternoon-into-evening format. June 27, from 16:00, Westerperk Café, Kostverlorenstraat 11H.
Amsterdam Time Machine at Wallen Festival: The University of Amsterdam brings interactive history and future-focused stages to the Wallen Festival, including the Amsterdam Time Machine at De Brakke Grond. June 27, Wallen area.
Summer ball with Multiple Horses at Q-Factory: Part concert, part dance floor, part open jam, watch, dance, or bring an instrument to this easy-going summer evening. June 27, 19:30–22:00, Q-Factory Amsterdam.
Workshop
Create-á-thon drop-in craft sessions at Wallen Festival: Amsterdam House of Arts & Crafts opens its doors for free open making sessions during the Wallen Festival. All skill levels welcome, no sign-up needed. June 27, 15:00–17:00, Oudeschans 21.
Collective workshop: opening the makers' space of GROND: GROND opens its makers' space for a hands-on collective workshop. June 27, GROND, Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Origami Club meetup: A free, friendly folding session open to all experience levels, beginners very welcome. June 27, 15:00–17:00, Amsterdam.
Adult workshop: cloisonné with Marie Kuyken: Museum Het Schip hosts a hands-on adult workshop in the decorative cloisonné technique. June 27, Museum Het Schip.
Tasting
Sake for wine lovers: summer tasting: The fifth edition of this tasting series focuses on light, fresh sakes suited to warm weather, ideal for wine drinkers curious about the style. June 27, Amsterdam Wine Academy, Gerard Doustraat.
Free food tour of Amsterdam: A guided tasting walk covering Dutch snacks and local food culture, finishing with a glass of jenever. Booking required via the organizer's website. Starts at the National Monument, Dam Square.
Sports (Active)
Amsterdam 10,000 Steps Walk: A casual group walk through the city open to all, bring your dog, an instrument, or just yourself. Meets at Amsterdam Central Station.
Amsterdam Social Kickball League opening day: The summer league kicks off with an afternoon of social kickball, free to join and open to all. June 27, 15:00–17:00, Rembrandtpark, Postjesweg.
Beginner padel group: A welcoming group for newcomers to padel, whether you want to try the sport, build skills, or meet people. Playershome 2, Amsterdam.
Games / Hobbies
Backgammon and chat at Café Conrad: A casual, no-entry-fee meetup for players of all levels, from first-timers to tournament regulars. Bring a board if you have one. Café Conrad, Amsterdam.
AMS Chapters June book club: A monthly outdoor book club gathering for readers who want good conversation in a relaxed setting. June 27, 15:00–17:00, Vondelpark.
Social / Drinks
20s–30s global social meetup at Café van Wou: A weekly Saturday gathering for international residents in their twenties and thirties to relax and connect over drinks. Saturdays, 19:30, Café van Wou.
Restaurant
Taiko names Lars Drost head chef: Former Bocuse d'Or winner Lars Drost takes over as Chef de Cuisine at Taiko, bringing a sharp focus on Japanese technique, product, and presentation alongside refreshed omakase experiences. Taiko, Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium.
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: Enola Holmes 3 (Netflix), Moonlight (Netflix), Community S1 (Netflix), and Cape Fear S1 (Apple TV+) have landed on streaming this week 🎬📺
Overheard on Reddit: A 1955 photo of an Amsterdam herring stand closed for 23-degree heat sparked debate over whether old warmth counts when heatwaves now strike fifteen times more often. Link
Today’s 2-for-1 deals: Biodermal sunscreen spray (2 for €39.99) from Albert Heijn, coffee pads (2 for €5.79) from Jumbo.
Did you know? One Amsterdam gable stone showed a man reaching his hand into another person's mouth, marking a dentist's home.
Stay hydrated, find shade, and maybe don't swim unsupervised, see you tomorrow.
