Essentially Amsterdam
Friday August 7, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: the Amsterdam Museum launches a 100-day festival for its centenary, Peaches performs at Melkweg, and WorldPride Village opens on Museumplein.
At a glance
Weather: Hi 22°C / 72°F (same as yesterday) · Lo 17°C / 63°F · 18% chance of rain · wind NW 13 km/h (7 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Great cycling weather all day.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 06:10 · Sunset 21:21 · Last Quarter · Moonrise -:- · Golden hour 20:51–21:21
🌊 Outdoors: Water 22°C / 72°F (swimmable) · Air quality: fair (AQI 21)
💶 Markets: AEX 1,112 (+1.2%) · S&P 500 7,710 (+3.7%) · €1 = $1.15 · $1 = €0.87
News
De Bijenkorf warns customers about third-party data breach: Department store De Bijenkorf is notifying shoppers in Amsterdam that their personal details may have been exposed. A cyber incident at an external logistics partner affected customer names, contact information, and past order histories.
Regulator warns district heating bills may increase: Around half of Dutch households connected to district heating networks could soon see higher energy bills. Energy regulators caution that costs will rise as current price caps tied to natural gas rates are phased out.
Amsterdam Kruidvat worker goes viral with dance clips: A dance student working part-time at an Amsterdam drugstore has picked up a large online following. She films short, routine dance clips in the store's staff breakroom during work shifts.
Amsterdam Museum marks centenary with 100-day festival: The Amsterdam Museum is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a 100-day festival. The program includes local historical exhibitions, community storytelling sessions, and cultural events highlighting city history.
Roadworks confuse drivers and pedestrians near Marnixstraat and Rozengracht: Temporary detours, road markings, and outdated map apps are causing traffic issues around the Marnixstraat and Rozengracht intersection. Anyone walking or driving through the area should exercise extra caution.
Hot weather returns as temperatures head back toward 30 degrees: The brief break from recent high temperatures is ending across the Netherlands. Weather forecasts show heat building up again over the weekend, with temperatures expected to hit 30 degrees Celsius by Sunday.
Family / Children
Robin Hood performance plays in the forest: Het Kleine Theater presents a lively, open-air adaptation of Robin Hood designed for children aged four and up. The outdoor show features acrobatics, music, and physical comedy. August 7, various times, Bostheater, Amsterdamse Bos. Family Show
Van Gogh Museum hosts summer family activities: Families visiting the Van Gogh Museum during the summer holiday can participate in a range of hands-on workshops and interactive gallery tours designed for kids. August 7, Van Gogh Museum. 📅 Museum / Educational
ÁMÀL Ensemble opens Junior Grachtenfestival: The ÁMÀL Ensemble launches the Junior Grachtenfestival with an accessible classical concert tailored for young listeners and families. August 7, 15:00 - 16:00, Plein '40-'45. 📅 Family Show
Hortus Botanicus offers summer nature bingo for families: Children can explore the botanical garden using a themed bingo card to spot plant species, trees, and summer flowers. August 7, Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam. 📅 Museum / Educational
Fun Forest opens treetop climbing courses in the Amsterdamse Bos: Active outdoor obstacle courses in the trees give kids a chance to scramble and climb during the summer break. August 7, Fun Forest Amsterdam, Amsterdamse Bos. 📅 Outdoor / Active
Music
Black Pride Ball collaborates with Amsterdam Sinfonietta: Ballroom culture meets classical music in a joint performance featuring the Black Pride Ball and the string orchestra Amsterdam Sinfonietta. August 7, 20:00 - 21:30, The Concertgebouw. 📅
Sonido Gallo Negro performs live at Toekomstmuziek: Mexico City band Sonido Gallo Negro brings its combination of 1960s Peruvian cumbia, organ riffs, and theremin sounds to the stage. August 7, doors at 19:30, main program at 20:30, Toekomstmuziek.
Peaches performs at Melkweg: Canadian musician and performance artist Peaches brings her live tour to Amsterdam for an evening concert. August 7, 19:00, Melkweg. 📅
Pitou plays chamber pop show at Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ: Amsterdam-born singer-songwriter Pitou performs a live set featuring detailed vocal arrangements and classical backing instrumentation. August 7, 20:00, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ. 📅
Rock 'n Rose plays rooftop blues at Zoku: Local blues-rock trio Rock 'n Rose brings classic rock covers inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and John Mayer to Zoku's rooftop terrace. August 7, 19:30, Zoku Amsterdam. 📅
Events: Watch
Outdoor screening of Italian drama in the forest: Cinetree hosts an open-air film night featuring the popular Italian drama 'C’è ancora domani' set under the canopy. August 7, 21:30, Amsterdamse Bostheater. 📅 Film
WorldPride Village opens on Museumplein: Museumplein hosts the Friday gathering for WorldPride Village, featuring information booths from community groups, outdoor food and drink stalls, and music stages. August 7, 12:00-23:59, Museumplein. 📅 Festivals
Subali Traveling Cinema hosts free screening at Camping Zeeburg: The mobile cinema pop-up is setting up on the campsite terrace to project two curated programs of short films under the stars. Free entry. August 7, 21:30, Camping Zeeburg. 📅 Film
FOAM hosts communal dinner with Stacks Diner and Salon Vin Naturel: The photography museum is putting on a joint dinner event in partnership with local food and wine pop-ups. August 7, 18:00, FOAM Photography Museum, Keizersgracht 609. 📅 Food / Markets
Skatecafe hosts summer barbecue and happy hour in Noord: An open-door evening gathering featuring grilled food and drink specials. Entry is free. August 7, 18:00, Skatecafe. Free 📅 Food / Markets
Events: Do
De Hallen Studios hosts evening roller disco: Visitors can lace up roller skates and head onto the floor as De Hallen Studios turns its indoor venue into a retro skating rink with music. August 7, 20:00 – 00:00, De Hallen Amsterdam. 📅 Sports (Active)
Draw Amsterdam hosts guided sketching walk along the Amstel: Local artist Ellie leads a sunset drawing stroll designed for all skill levels. The session includes quick exercises along the canal and comes with an A5 sketchbook and materials. August 7, 19:00, Magere Brug. 📅 Tour
BodyBalance session comes to Museumplein sports zone: Join an outdoor movement session combining elements of yoga, tai chi, and Pilates. The class is designed for a gentle full-body stretch and active recovery. August 7, 20:00, Skatepark Museumplein. 📅 Sports (Active)
Forest ranger leads evening walk through Amsterdamse Bos: Take a guided sunset walk through the local woods alongside an experienced forest ranger. The tour highlights hidden paths and active evening wildlife. August 7, 20:00, Amsterdamse Bos. 📅 Tour
Luce Lips hosts karaoke night at Oedipus: Drop by for an informal, free-entry community karaoke evening hosted by Luce Lips in East Amsterdam. August 7, 20:00, Oedipus Brewing. Free 📅
Work / Business
Babboe parent company files for payment suspension: Accell, the Dutch bicycle group that owns cargo bike brand Babboe, has filed for suspension of payments across the Netherlands. The company reached the decision after failing to secure a long-term financial solution for its debt. Business News
ABN AMRO partners with Mistral AI for financial technology: Amsterdam-based bank ABN AMRO has partnered with French startup Mistral AI to build new artificial intelligence tools. It is the firm's first major partnership with a Dutch financial institution. Business News
Supermarkets face higher costs from youth wage increase: A study by Rabobank shows retail and hospitality businesses face rising labor expenses next year as the statutory minimum wage for 17- to 19-year-olds increases by 25 percent. Analysts expect companies may pass some costs on to consumers. Business News
Dutch government nears full recovery of ABN Amro bailout costs: The Dutch state is close to recovering the €22 billion spent during its 2008 nationalization of Amsterdam-headquartered bank ABN Amro. Financial returns from recent share sales have nearly offset the original bailout expenses. Business News
UvA researchers design non-addictive social media features: Researchers at the University of Amsterdam are working with young users on the Scrollternatives project. The team aims to build feed interfaces that replace endless scrolling and automatic video playback with intentional design choices. Business News
Building permits rise while Dutch housing construction lags behind: ING Research reports a significant rise in municipal building permits across the Netherlands, but ongoing construction delays mean new home completions remain slow. Business News
Openings & Closings
Sterre der Zee bookstore closes briefly in West: Neighborhood bookstore Sterre der Zee in Amsterdam West will close on August 15. The owners plan to open in a new format next year. 📅 Shop / Store
Leauf Centrum: The generously topped focaccia specialist adds a city-centre location. Restaurant
Layers Centrum: The French bakery and deli opens a central branch. Shop / Store
Zuiver Wijnen: A long-standing supplier to Amsterdam restaurants opens its own natural wine shop and bar, a few doors from its old corner. Shop / Store
La Brutal Taquería: Mexico City style street tacos with tortillas pressed fresh each day, on the Albert Cuyp. Restaurant
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: Inception (Netflix), The Matrix (HBO Max), Mission: Impossible - Fallout (Netflix), Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi (Disney+) 🎬🍿
New on the big screen: On a String opens Thursday 13 August at 3 cinemas, El Gawahergy at Cinema De Vlugt, and Moss & Freud at Theater De Omval. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: A local expat posted about a Hobbit MTG prerelease night at Wanakam in Oost on 13 August, and comments suggest most people are interested but saving themselves for the upcoming commander night instead.
Today’s supermarket deals:  Biodermal sun gel-cream SPF50+ (2 for €44.99) from Albert Heijn, BBQ (4 for €10.00) from Jumbo.
Did you know? The Catboat idea started because if people could live on Amsterdam houseboats, cats could too.
126 years ago today: On August 7th, 1900, the diamond workers’ union under Henri Polak called a strike from its new building in the Plantage area.
Adoptable pet of the dayAdoptable pet of the day: Meet Brioche, a 1-year-old rabbit at Dierenopvang Amsterdam. Take a look →
In tomorrow’s edition: The IJ-Hallen flea market returns to the NDSM Wharf, Museum Het Schip hosts a family workshop to design decorative tiles, and Cinetree screens 'I Swear' at the Amsterdamse Bostheater.
Enjoy your Friday and stay cool out there.
Essentially Amsterdam
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