A DAILY AMSTERDAM CITY BRIEFING

Good morning, Amsterdam. 🎶 It's a full Friday: De Amsterdamse Zomer kicks off at Olympisch Stadion, Kwaku Summer Festival fills Nelson Mandelapark, and E.T. comes to life with a live orchestra at the Concertgebouw, plus a packed weekend of food, dance, comedy, and community events. One note before you go: Eurostar to London is suspended through Saturday, and the A10 west–south connection is closed this weekend, so plan ahead.

Eurostar to London suspended through Saturday: Track problems near Rotterdam Stadion are disrupting international rail service: Eurostar cannot reach London at all, while Paris trains are rerouting. Check your passenger rights if you're affected. Through July 4, Amsterdam Centraal / Rotterdam.

Rent rose July 1, your housing allowance may have changed: Rents across the Netherlands increased on July 1, which could affect how much housing allowance you're entitled to. Check whether your new rent qualifies you for a higher benefit.

A10 west–south connection closed this weekend: The link between the A10 West and A10 Zuid will be shut over the weekend for maintenance work on the Schinkelbrug. Plan alternate routes if you're driving through that stretch. July 4–5, A10 West / Schinkelbrug.

PFAS found in all Dutch breast milk samples tested: New research shows one in five breastfed babies in the Netherlands is receiving excessive levels of PFAS chemicals through their mother's milk, with the industrial pollutants detected across every sample tested.

Halsema says King's Day crowd controls worked, more planned for 2027: Mayor Femke Halsema has assessed this year's King's Day crowd management measures as a success and signaled that similar, or expanded, controls will be in place for the 2027 edition. Amsterdam.

KesselsKramer rises from bankruptcy under new ownership: The Amsterdam ad agency behind campaigns for I Amsterdam, Nike, and Het Parool has been acquired by entrepreneur Thijs Boon after being declared bankrupt last month. Amsterdam.

Louis van Gaal steps down from Ajax advisory role: Van Gaal is leaving his position on Ajax's supervisory board, citing the departures of directors Alex Kroes and Marijn Beuker, both of whom he had championed for their roles at the club. Amsterdam.

FAMILY SHOW

Oliver & Friends youth music theater at CREA: A musical theater performance geared toward young audiences, staged at one of Amsterdam's main cultural venues. July 3, 17:30, CREA.

OUTDOOR / ACTIVE

NEMO's free rooftop terrace with harbor views: NEMO's rooftop terrace is open to all at no cost, offering sweeping harbor views alongside films and music. NEMO Science Museum.

Kids water fun at Jeugdland Natuurzwembad: Children can splash around at this natural swimming spot, open for water play every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sport4kidz.

FESTIVAL / FAIR

Kwaku Summer Festival at Nelson Mandelapark: This music and culture festival brings live performances, food, and entertainment to southeast Amsterdam. July 3–4, 14:00–23:00, Nelson Mandelapark.

Festival TREK returns to Amstelpark: A family-friendly festival mixing food, music, and entertainment in a green setting. July 3–5, 16:00–21:30, Amstelpark.

Mother support group meetup at No LIMIT: Moeders Samen Sterker hosts a warm, peer-led gathering for new mothers in Amsterdam during the postpartum period. July 3, 10:30–11:45, No LIMIT.

De Amsterdamse Zomer: Dutch artists, three days at the stadium: Dutch artists take the stage across a three-day open-air concert series at Olympisch Stadion. July 3–5, 12:00–23:00, Olympisch Stadion.

Josylvio live at Paradiso: Dutch rap star Josylvio performs live at one of Amsterdam's most iconic music venues. July 3, 20:00, Paradiso.

Buckshot brings hip-hop history to Paradiso: Brooklyn hip-hop veteran Buckshot, co-founder of Boot Camp Clik, performs live in Amsterdam. July 3, 21:00, Paradiso.

Defunkt brings NYC funk-jazz to Bimhuis: The long-running New York funk-jazz outfit Defunkt plays a late-evening set at Amsterdam's premier jazz venue. July 3, 20:30–22:50, Bimhuis.

Alkistis Misouli Sextet plays Jazz at the Pianola: The Alkistis Misouli Sextet performs an intimate jazz concert inside the atmospheric Geelvinck Pianola Museum. July 3, 20:00–21:30, Geelvinck Pianola Museum, Jordaan.

Traditional Irish session with Fiachra Meek and Paddy O'Brien: Two accomplished Irish musicians bring a live traditional session to Amsterdam's well-known Irish pub. July 3, 21:00, Mulligans.

Don Cameleon Band plays pop and rock covers on the Zoku rooftop: Live pop and rock cover sets from Don Cameleon Band on the rooftop of Zoku Amsterdam. July 3, 20:00, Zoku Amsterdam.

THEATER

The Little Big Things musical at Royal Theater Carré: The stage musical based on Henry Fraser's story of resilience continues its run at one of Amsterdam's grandest theaters. Royal Theater Carré.

COMEDY

Epic Rap Battles of History live at Boom Chicago: The Los Angeles comedy rap series, pitting historical and pop culture figures against each other, brings its live show to Amsterdam. Boom Chicago, Rozengracht 117.

Boom Chicago Comedy Festival: improv spectacular with Ruben van der Meer: Thirty-three years of Boom's ensemble comedy in one fast-moving show, joined by Dutch stand-up veteran Ruben van der Meer, with table service throughout. Boom Chicago, Rozengracht 117.

The Comedy Embassy featuring Nadine Froughi at Boom Chicago: Four comedians take the stage, with Nadine Froughi headlining, her solo show is sold out, making this the place to catch her. Boom Chicago, Rozengracht 117.

FILM

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial live in concert at Het Koninklijk Concertgebouw: Spielberg's classic screens while a live orchestra performs John Williams's score. A reliable crowd-pleaser done right. July 3–4, 20:00, Het Koninklijk Concertgebouw.

ART / MUSEUMS

Free outdoor art market at the Spui: Artists sell original work directly from stalls at this long-running open-air market in the city center. Through July 26, 11:00–18:00, Spui.

FOOD / MARKETS

Festival TREK, traveling food festival at Amstelpark: Billed as the Netherlands' largest traveling food festival, TREK sets up in Amstelpark for a long weekend of vendors and outdoor eating. July 3–5, Amstelpark.

TALKS / IDEAS

Mezrab Friday Night Storytelling: The weekly storytelling night at one of Amsterdam's most intimate venues, live narrators, mixed formats, walk-in friendly. July 3, 20:00, Mezrab.

FESTIVALS

Buurtcamping Oosterpark, community camping in the park: Part of Oosterpark turns into a neighborhood campsite for the weekend, a beloved Amsterdam East tradition. July 3–5, Oosterpark.

Batik, Beats & Bumbu Indonesian culture festival at De Balie: A multi-day festival celebrating Indonesian culture through film, music, and food. Tickets required; Uitpas discounts available. July 3–8, De Balie, Leidseplein.

SPORTS (SPECTATOR)

FIFA World Cup 2026 matches live at Waterhole: Catch the tournament on screen with a crowd at this reliable sports-viewing venue. July 3, 20:00, Waterhole.

World Cup on the big screen at De Foodhallen: Every match of the tournament shown on a large screen inside De Foodhallen, with food stalls on hand. Through July 19, 10:00–21:00, De Foodhallen.

DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Dansers van Morgen 2026, Het Nationale Ballet's rising stars showcase: Het Nationale Ballet presents its annual showcase of emerging dancers, a focused evening of contemporary and classical work. July 3, 20:00, Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten.

Julidans free outdoor dance at Vondelpark: The Julidans festival brings free contemporary dance to the open-air theater for an evening performance. July 3, 20:30, Vondelpark Open-Air Theater, Vondelpark 5a.

Vondelpark Open-Air Theater, free performances all summer: Amsterdam's beloved open-air stage has offered free programming for over 50 years, with shows running through the summer. Vondelpark.

WORKSHOP

Wayang Kulit shadow puppet performance, lecture and workshop: The Wayang Women brings Indonesian shadow puppetry to Felix Meritis with a lecture and hands-on workshop alongside the performance. July 3, 19:30, Felix Meritis.

KZ's Big 5: jazz workshops, dinner and live music: Kompaszaal marks its fifth anniversary with a jazz-focused evening of workshops, a sit-down dinner, and live music. July 3, 18:00, Kompaszaal Amsterdam.

Adults' cloisonné workshop at Museum Het Schip: Try the intricate enamel-and-wire art technique of cloisonné in a hands-on workshop for adults at the Art Nouveau landmark. July 3, 13:00, Museum Het Schip.

Paint and sip in central Amsterdam: A guided painting session paired with wine in a central Amsterdam art studio, ticket purchase required before RSVPing. July 3, 19:15, Art Studio Amsterdam.

Kompaszaal turns 5: dance workshops, live music and dinner: A three-day birthday weekend at Kompaszaal featuring dance workshops, live performances, and a dinner across the full run. July 3–5, from 17:00, Kompaszaal Amsterdam.

Herb school workshop at Het Groene Veld: De Kruidenschool offers a morning workshop on herbs, identification, uses, and more, at Het Groene Veld. July 3, 09:00, Het Groene Veld.

TOUR

Free tip-based walking tour of Amsterdam: A guided city walk starting at the National Monument, tip-based, so pay what you feel it's worth. Advance booking online is required. July 3, 10:30, Dam Square.

VOLUNTEERING

No Butts Day cigarette filter cleanup, then drinks at The Grand: Join a city cleanup targeting cigarette filters, the world's most littered plastic, followed by drinks at Sofitel Legend The Grand. July 3, 14:30, Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197.

Campfire karaoke all summer at Camping Zeeburg: Sing around the fire at Camping Zeeburg every Thursday evening through late August, free entry, outdoor, and open to all. July 3–August 28, 19:00–21:00, Camping Zeeburg, IJburg.

Bounce summer BBQ at BounceSpace: The annual Bounce community BBQ returns with food, drinks, music, and games for a summer Friday evening. July 3, BounceSpace Coffee & Coworking.

Turkish Tech Amsterdam summer picnic in Vondelpark: A casual outdoor meetup for Amsterdam's Turkish tech community, bring a blanket, snacks, or a drink and enjoy the summer. July 3, 19:00, Vondelpark.

CONFERENCE

Advances in Modal Logic 2026: AiML is a leading conference series showcasing current research in modal logic and its applications. Through July 3, Amsterdam.

European Quantum Technology Summer School: A workshop bringing together participants to explore quantum technology developments at the European level. July 3, Hogeschool van Amsterdam.

World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics: The 23rd IAGG World Congress gathers global experts in aging research and geriatric care for a week of sessions. July 3–8, RAI Amsterdam.

RESTAURANT

Vermouth: Barts Boekje June roundup: the place on JP Heijestraat is open, focused on drinks.

BAR / CAFÉ

Pure Wines: Barts Boekje June roundup: Pure Wines opened its own bar at Ruyterkade 143.

SHOP / STORE

Dille & Kamille Middenweg: Fourth Amsterdam shop, on Middenweg, opened June 26; first location in Amsterdam-Oost.

In tomorrow’s edition: Bruno Mars brings the romance to the ArenA, E.T. phones home with a live orchestra at the Concertgebouw, and Julidans kicks off its international dance takeover across the city.

Have a good one, and maybe take the train somewhere that isn't London this weekend.