Essentially Amsterdam
Monday July 20, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. The Piet Hein Tunnel is open again after a long closure, Metro 52 to Noord is running with shuttle buses today, and cooler air with mixed sun and showers is on the way this week.
At a glance
Weather: Hi 20°C / 68°F · Lo 14°C / 57°F · 0% chance of rain · wind N 18 km/h (10 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Great cycling weather all day.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 05:43 · Sunset 21:50 · First Quarter · Moonrise 13:35 · Golden hour 21:20–21:50
🌊 Outdoors: Water 21°C / 70°F (swimmable) · Air quality: fair (AQI 20)
💶 Markets: AEX 1,092 (+0.6%) · S&P 500 7,458 (-1.6%) · €1 = $1.14 · $1 = €0.87
🏆 Dutch sport: Football: NEC goes into the draw for CL preliminary round: Norwegian stunt team possible opponent · Even if (almost) everything goes well, Verstappen and Red Bull remain far from victory
News
Piet Hein Tunnel reopens after long closure: The Piet Hein Tunnel is open again after an extended shutdown, restoring a key east-side link for drivers between the Eastern Docklands and the A10.
Fourth regional heat wave possible in late July: The cooler weekend looks temporary. Temperatures could climb well above 30°C in the final week of July, with a strong chance of a fourth regional heat wave and a hot start to August.
Metro 52 to Noord disrupted; shuttle buses running: Metro 52 between Centraal and Noord is disrupted after a collision near Amsterdam Centraal this morning. GVB has put on shuttle buses (line 164); service toward Zuid still runs from Rokin.
Cooler air and mixed sun and showers this week: A northwest wind brings cooler temperatures and changeable weather across the Netherlands this week as the dog days begin, useful if you're planning outdoor time in Amsterdam.
Energy coaches in Zuidoost now help residents keep homes cooler: Volunteer energy coaches in Zuidoost are expanding from winter warmth to summer cooling, giving residents practical, low-cost tips to keep apartments livable as heat waves grow more frequent.
Petition seeks safety upgrades on De Ronde Hoep after fatal crash: Residents have launched a petition calling for safety improvements on the popular De Ronde Hoep cycling loop just south of Amsterdam, following a fatal crash on the route.
Family / Children
Kids robotics bootcamp at the Central Library: A week-long holiday camp taught in English and Dutch where kids ages 8 to 12 design, build, and code robots and smart tech prototypes. July 20, 10:00, OBA Junior Lab (Central Library). 📅 Kids Workshop
Fiep Westendorp illustrations at the Rijksmuseum: A family-friendly showcase of Fiep Westendorp’s playful drawings, including the work behind Dutch children’s characters Jip and Janneke. July 15 through September 13, during museum hours, Rijksmuseum. Museum / Educational
Kids ice cream workshop at OBA Javaplein: Ages 8–13 make Italian-style fruit ice cream and slush with a real machine, then turn the Maakplaats into a mini shop and taste everything. Max 12 kids; email to reserve. July 20, 11:00–13:00, OBA Javaplein Maakplaats. 📅 Kids Workshop
Drop-in kids crafting at Het Muizenhuis: The miniature mouse-world museum hosts an open crafting workshop for children all summer, with no reservation needed. July 11 through August 29, 10:00–17:00 daily, Het Muizenhuis, centrum. 📅 Kids Workshop
Kids CoBrA art workshop at Museum Cobra: A hands-on arts and crafts space for children to explore the expressive, colorful CoBrA style through their own making. July 13, 2026 through July 19, 2027, various times, Museum Cobra, Amstelveen. Kids Workshop
Music
Bryan Cheng plays Dvořák at the Concertgebouw: Canadian cellist Bryan Cheng joins the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava for Dvořák's Cello Concerto and Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony. July 20, 8:00–10:00 PM, Het Concertgebouw.
Kidd Voodoo makes Dutch debut at Melkweg: Chilean artist Kidd Voodoo brings his mix of reggaetón, trap, and indie-inflected songwriting to Amsterdam for the first time. July 20, 19:30, Melkweg. 📅
Summer organ concerts at De Nieuwe Kerk: De Nieuwe Kerk is hosting a summer series of organ concerts in the historic church on Dam Square. July 14 through November 10, 19:30–20:30, De Nieuwe Kerk. 📅
Papisa and Tagua Tagua at Vinyl Rocks: An intimate live set blending dreamy Brazilian pop, psychedelia, and modern electronics. July 20, 19:00, Vinyl Rocks, Marnixstraat. 📅
All the Joys of a Noise at de Roode Bioscoop: Lluís Pérez-Villegas Morey presents a musical performance exploring sounds and textures at the intimate Theater de Roode Bioscoop. July 20, 21:00, Theater de Roode Bioscoop. 📅
Events: Watch
Martin Parr solo show at FOAM: A solo exhibition of documentary photographer Martin Parr, with his colorful, satirical, and humorous take on modern life. Through August 12, FOAM Photography Museum. Art / Museums
My Neighbor Totoro outdoors at Pllek: Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro screens at the outdoor cinema on the NDSM wharf, with English subtitles and skyline views. Headphones from 21:35; film at 22:35. Tuesdays through September 30, Pllek, NDSM Wharf. Film
Foam Talent 2026 at FOAM: A group exhibition of international contemporary photographers selected for FOAM’s annual Talent program. Through August 26, FOAM Photography Museum. Art / Museums
Boom Chicago improv comedy in the Jordaan: English-language improv comedy from Boom Chicago, with fast, audience-driven scenes in the Jordaan. July 15 through October 15, Boom Chicago. Comedy
Events: Do
Open choir rehearsals at Tolhuistuin: Join modern choir rehearsals in Noord with no audition required, singing songs by Jungle, Beyoncé, and Caroline Polachek. Two free trials available. July 20, 17:30, Tolhuistuin. Workshop
Guided tour of World Press Photo 2026: A curated tour through the World Press Photo exhibition inside the Nieuwe Kerk on Dam Square. July 15 through September 23, 15:00–16:00, De Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam. Workshop
Dutch improv class for language learners: An active one-hour Dutch improv workshop for non-absolute beginners who want more conversational confidence without drilling grammar rules. July 20, 18:00, Language Corner Amsterdam. Workshop
Free papercutting workshop at KunstRUIM: A free afternoon workshop on papercutting at a gallery in East Amsterdam. July 20, 13:00–16:00, Galerie KunstRuim. Workshop
Soap-making workshop on the Bloemgracht: Learn the traditional process of blending natural ingredients to make your own custom soap in a hands-on craft session. July 20, 19:00, Moustaqbel Amsterdam, Bloemgracht. Workshop
Work / Business
Picnic expands further but posts €272M loss: A decade in, Dutch online supermarket Picnic keeps expanding but posted a €272 million net loss last year as heavy investment outruns profits. Business News
Eneco CEO calls for more data centers: Eneco's chief argues the Netherlands needs more data centers to absorb green power and help unlock new wind farms. The comments sit within a wider debate over grid capacity and local planning. Business News
Loyens & Loeff seeks longer-term corporate clients: The Netherlands' largest law firm is shifting strategy under managing partner Harmen Holtrop, aiming for less reliance on deals and private equity and more lasting relationships with big corporate clients. Business News
Clean drinking water may not be assured after 2035: A Dutch drinking-water company director warns that public supply of clean water can no longer be taken for granted after 2035, as pressure on the system grows. Business News
Chip stocks wobble after strong results: After months of near-unbroken gains, chip companies are stumbling on the markets. Analysts are split on whether this signals an AI bubble or a healthy pause, closely watched here given ASML's weight in the sector. Business News
Openings & Closings
Restaurant Europa opens in Amsterdam: Restaurant Europa is a new Amsterdam restaurant making its debut. The name suggests a pan-European or classic continental concept. Restaurant
Smaak Ramen opens in Amsterdam: Smaak Ramen is a new ramen restaurant that has opened in Amsterdam. Restaurant
PAINDEMIE and MOYŌ open at the same address: Two new spots have arrived together: PAINDEMIE, a bread-and-bakery concept (the name riffs on the French word for bread, pain), and MOYŌ opening alongside it. Restaurant
Euro Pizza opens in Amsterdam Noord: Euro Pizza is a new pizzeria that has opened in Amsterdam Noord, adding another option north of the IJ. Restaurant
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: House of the Dragon S3 (HBO Max), Sugar S2 (Apple TV+), The Apartment Job S1 (Netflix), R.J. Decker S1 (Disney+) 🎬📺
Overheard on Reddit: Someone asking about selling your own apartment without a makelaar found the thread split between those pointing out Funda's near-monopoly on buyers and others who'd done it successfully via fixed-fee services.
Today’s supermarket deals: Sun machine cleaner (1+2 free) from Albert Heijn, BBQ (4 for €10.00) from Jumbo.
Did you know? The floating flower market is less a romantic flower market than a tourist bulb bazaar on moored barges.
84 years ago today: On July 20th, 1942, the Hollandsche Schouwburg began being used by the occupiers as a deportation assembly point for Jews.
Adoptable pet of the dayAdoptable pet of the day: Meet Akira Amarok, a 6-year-old Siberian Husky at Dierenopvang Amsterdam. Take a look →
In tomorrow’s edition: James Taylor live at AFAS Live, and ARTIS Summer Evenings with music, theater and magic at the zoo.
Stay cool out there, and see you tomorrow.
Essentially Amsterdam

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