Essentially Amsterdam

A DAILY AMSTERDAM CITY BRIEFING

Good morning, Amsterdam. 🌞 The city is moving on housing this week, empty homes are being targeted and a couple lost their apartments after gaming the social housing system, while Ludovico Einaudi plays Ziggo Dome tonight and summer has a lot of new places to try, from a French bar-bistro on Dapperplein to a beach in the East.

AT A GLANCE

☀️ Weather: Hi 26°C / 79°F (5° warmer than yesterday) · Lo 19°C / 66°F · 5% chance of rain · wind W 22 km/h (12 knots)

🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 05:26 · Sunset 22:03 · Last Quarter · Moonrise 00:19 · Golden hour 21:33–22:03

🌊 Outdoors: Water 24°C / 75°F (swimmable) · Air quality: fair (AQI 25) · grass pollen moderate

💶 Markets: AEX 921 (+0.4%) · S&P 500 6,978 · €1 = $1.14 · $1 = €0.88

NEWS

Amsterdam cracks down on empty homes: The city is targeting owners who leave homes vacant, with fines reaching up to €72,000. Amsterdam, no date given.

Couple evicted after owning seven apartments while in social housing: An Amsterdam couple was removed from their social housing unit after 33 years when authorities discovered they owned seven other apartments. Amsterdam, no date given.

Free energy coaches available for Amsterdam renters: The city is running a program connecting renters with free energy coaches to help manage heat in their homes. Amsterdam, no date given.

Paid internships to become a legal right for all Dutch students: Under new government plans, students in vocational, applied sciences, and university programs would all have a legal right to internship compensation. No date given.

Author and cabaret legend Marjan Berk dies at 93: Marjan Berk, born in 1932, wrote dozens of books and was a longtime columnist and cultural fixture in Amsterdam. Her family announced her death through her publisher. Amsterdam, no date given.

Buyers under 25 taking out more mortgages across the Netherlands: Young Dutch buyers are securing mortgages at significantly higher rates than before, reflecting a broader national shift in who is entering the housing market. Netherlands, no date given.

Verstappen's British Grand Prix ends with mechanical failure: Max Verstappen suffered a mechanical retirement at the British Grand Prix on Sunday, cutting short what had been a competitive race weekend.

FAMILY / CHILDREN

Robot-building and coding camp at the OBA: Kids ages 8–12 spend a week designing, building, and coding robots and tech prototypes at the OBA's Junior Lab. Sessions run in Dutch and English. July 6–10, Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam, Junior Lab. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Free creative summer week for kids at ZID Theater: Part of the MidzomerMokum program, this free week of creative activities runs afternoons at ZID Theater. July 6–10, 13:30–16:30, ZID Theater. · KIDS WORKSHOP

K-pop holiday camp for ages 8–17 at VROG: Three afternoons of K-pop dance, parkour, and freerunning at a trampoline park near Nieuwmarkt. Tickets required. July 6–8, 13:00–16:00, VROG, Nieuwmarkt. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Kids podcast-making course at Speelpark Blijdag: A morning course teaches kids how to plan and record their own podcast, held at the popular play park in Oost. July 6, 09:30–12:30, Speelpark Blijdag. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Best of the West summer camp at Podium Mozaiek: A five-day holiday program at Podium Mozaiek offers arts activities and workshops for kids throughout the week. July 6–10, from 12:00, Podium Mozaiek. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Free drop-in playgroup for babies and toddlers at Tolhuistuin: SPIN hosts a recurring free drop-in session for children ages 0–4 and their caregivers in Amsterdam Noord. Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam Noord. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Summer exchange workshop for kids at Jeugdland: Jeugdland Amsterdam hosts an afternoon workshop as part of its summer exchange program for children. July 6, 14:00, Jeugdland. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Free traffic garden cycling session for ages 5–7: Young children learn road rules and bike safely in a guided traffic garden session run by West Beweegt. July 6, 13:00–15:00, Cruyff Court Bos en Lommer, Amsterdam-West. · OUTDOOR / ACTIVE

Free kids football tournament at Cruyff Court Kolenkit: An open football tournament for children and youth of all ages, free to enter and organized by DOCK jongerenwerk. July 6, 15:00–17:00, Cruyff Court Kolenkit, Amsterdam-West. · OUTDOOR / ACTIVE

Disney family trail through the Rijksmuseum this summer: Explore the Rijksmuseum this summer alongside Woody, Buzz, and Jessie in a Toy Story–themed family trail. Rijksmuseum. · MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL

Planets and stars science workshop for kids at Hemlab: Children ages 7–14 can explore planets and space science at Hemlab, Amsterdam's hands-on science lab for kids. Through July 11, multiple time slots, Hemlab. · MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL

Amsterdam in miniature: family visit to the Miniature Museum: Detailed scale models, short films, and a scavenger hunt make this a low-key, engaging outing for families. Miniatuur Museum Amsterdam. · MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL

Vrije Vogel Festival: free theatrical city walk with workshop: A free theatrical route winds through eight locations across the city, ending with a hands-on workshop. July 6, AJTC, Amsterdam. · FESTIVAL / FAIR

Japanese star festival at the Wereldmuseum: The Tanabata Festival brings Japanese star-festival traditions to the Wereldmuseum for a family-friendly afternoon. July 6, from 12:00, Wereldmuseum. · FESTIVAL / FAIR

Vrije Vogel Festival show at Mariotteplein in Amsterdam-Oost: The free kids festival comes to Mariotteplein with a performance of "Jessie and the Wish Ghost" for neighborhood families. July 6, 11:00, Mariotteplein, Amsterdam-Oost. · FESTIVAL / FAIR

SKC summer school for kids in Amsterdam Noord-West: A community-run summer program focused on language development and meaningful activities for children at risk of falling behind during the break. July 6, from 09:30, Wijkcentra Noord-West.

MUSIC

Ludovico Einaudi live at Ziggo Dome: The Italian pianist and composer brings his signature minimalist sound to one of Amsterdam's largest indoor venues. July 6, 20:00, Ziggo Dome.

Orchestra Baobab at Paradiso: The Senegalese legends blend West African rhythms with Cuban influences in a set that's held up for decades. July 6, 20:30, Paradiso.

Jimi Prasad Orchestra ft. Avishai Cohen and Rejoicer: A jazz and electronic world-music crossover featuring two distinct guest voices on the same bill. July 6, 20:30–22:00, Bimhuis.

Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem at the Concertgebouw: One of the great choral works in the classical repertoire, performed at Amsterdam's premier concert hall. July 6, 20:00–21:20, Royal Concertgebouw.

The War and Treaty at Tolhuistuin: American duo Michael and Tanya Trotter deliver a high-energy mix of soul, folk, gospel, and country, drawing on both their musical and personal partnership. July 6, 20:30, Tolhuistuin.

Barbatuques bring Brazilian vocal percussion to Toekomstmuziek: The Brazilian ensemble treats the human voice and body as a full percussion orchestra, rooted in São Paulo street culture. July 6, 17:30, Toekomstmuziek.

Outdoor jazz sessions at H'ART Museum: Afternoon jazz in an outdoor setting at one of Amsterdam's major museums, tickets required. Through July 12, 15:30–17:30, H'ART Museum.

Amsterdam Student Big Band season finale at Crea: The student big band closes its season with a farewell to its founding conductor in what promises to be a celebratory send-off. July 6, 18:45, Crea, Nieuwe Achtergracht 170.

Free open-stage evenings in Amsterdam-Noord: Open Podium Noord runs free live performances across multiple evenings at De Rietwijker. Through July 17, 18:00–22:00, De Rietwijker.

Candlelight concerts at Hotel Arena: The ongoing candlelight concert series continues its July run at Hotel Arena, a converted neo-Gothic church in Oost. July 6, Hotel Arena.

Cool Sound and special guest at Jazz Cafe Alto: A late-night jazz set with a surprise guest at Amsterdam's beloved intimate jazz bar on Korte Leidsedwarsstraat. July 6, 21:30, Jazz Cafe Alto.

Bluegrass night with Hugo en Biko at De Kring: An evening of bluegrass music and dancing at De Kring, the long-running artists' club near Leidseplein. July 6, 20:00, De Kring.

Federica Lorusso Trio at Theater de Roode Bioscoop: Live jazz from the Federica Lorusso Trio at this intimate venue in Amsterdam-West. July 6, 21:00, Theater de Roode Bioscoop.

KOOSJE: Affirmations and Revelations at Theater de Roode Bioscoop: KOOSJE performs an earlier evening set at the same venue, rounding out a full night of live music. July 6, 19:30, Theater de Roode Bioscoop.

EVENTS: WATCH

Comedy night in English at Comedy Cafe: An English-language stand-up night for anyone who wants laughs without the language barrier. July 6, 20:30, Comedy Cafe. · COMEDY

Agatha's Almanac film and festival event at De Balie: A multi-day film and festival program with Uitpas discounts available. Through July 8, various times, De Balie. · FILM

Une Femme Est Une Femme screening series at LAB111: Godard's vibrant 1961 film gets an extended run as part of a festival program. Through July 15, various times, LAB111. · FILM

The Thing film festival at LAB111: Four days of screenings with Uitpas discounts available. Through July 8, LAB111, Oud-West. · FILM

Barbarella returns to the big screen at LAB111: Roger Vadim's 1968 cult classic gets a theatrical revival with multiple screenings. Through July 25, LAB111. · FILM

Pop Art Factory opens at Museum Cobra: A new exhibition and workshop program exploring Pop Art opens in Amstelveen. July 6–September 3, Museum Cobra. · ART / MUSEUMS

ZomerSalon Royaal: Utopia at CBK Zuidoost: A summer group exhibition asking artists and visitors what utopia looks and feels like. Through August 15, CBK Zuidoost. · ART / MUSEUMS

Mind Your Mind exhibition at Bunk Hotel: Dutch public figures share personal mental health stories in this free-to-visit exhibition. Through July 24, Bunk Hotel. · ART / MUSEUMS

Jazz-jaren: people, migration and music in Amsterdam, 1930–1939: An archival exhibition tracing the lives and sounds that shaped Amsterdam's jazz decade. Through September 13, Stadsarchief Amsterdam, Vijzelstraat 32. · ART / MUSEUMS

Technology, the body and how we see ourselves at De Nieuwe Schatkamer: New acquisitions from the DNB art collection explore how technology reshapes bodies and self-perception. Through October 23, De Nieuwe Schatkamer. · ART / MUSEUMS

Wild Waters: dams and deltas after modernism at Framer Framed: Curated by Àngels Miralda, this exhibition treats water as both life source and contested intervention. Through August 30, Framer Framed. · ART / MUSEUMS

Moving Love at Framer Framed: A multi-site presentation across Framer Framed's Oost and Noord locations running through mid-August. Through August 13, 12:00–18:00. · ART / MUSEUMS

(private) or a so-called inevitability at Loods 6: An evening exhibition program inside a monumental harbor warehouse on KNSM-eiland. Through July 26, 17:00–22:00, Loods 6. · ART / MUSEUMS

Rare look at the original Arti library at the Van Gogh Museum: Arti members can tour this rarely seen collection with a curator on hand; spots are limited. July 6, 12:30–16:30, Van Gogh Museum. · ART / MUSEUMS

Mirage dance performance at ITA: A Holland Festival and ITA co-presentation running in the Rabozaal through early September. Through September 6, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, Leidseplein. · ART / MUSEUMS

Honor: an artist lecture by Suzanne Bocanegra at ITA: Part of the Holland Festival and ITA's Perspective program, this lecture-performance runs in the Grote Zaal. Through September 6, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam. · TALKS / IDEAS

Back to Kidal at ITA (Julidans): A dance and film program presented in a Match & Watch format with a 19:45 start. Through July 6, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam. · DANCE / PERFORMANCE

EVENTS: DO

Italian cooking class in the city center: A hands-on Italian cooking meetup with a small group. Sign up in advance to secure your spot. July 6, 18:00 at Club Cuisine, Sint Antoniesbreestraat 46. · WORKSHOP

Make your own jeans, 3-day summer school: A multi-day workshop where you construct a pair of jeans from scratch. Starting July 6, 10:00 at De Hallen. · WORKSHOP

Shut Up & Write!, Monday evening session at the library: A quiet, communal writing session open to any project, fiction, essays, scripts, or work tasks. July 6, 19:15 on the 7th floor of Centrale Bibliotheek Amsterdam, Oosterdokskade 143. · WORKSHOP

Summer school: learn 3D knitting at HvA: A workshop exploring three-dimensional knitting techniques at a university setting. July 6 at Hogeschool van Amsterdam. · WORKSHOP

Yoga Brush summer school, eastern ink and brushwork: A workshop using black ink and Eastern brushes as a practice in attention and mastery. July 6 at NDSM Treehouse, Amsterdam Noord. · WORKSHOP

Artist lunch with Anas Chao at Framer Framed: A midday workshop and conversation with artist Anas Chao at the Framer Framed space in Noord. July 6, 12:00. · WORKSHOP

Workshop: Mapping time and place at De Appel: Participants explore objects in the current exhibition as expressions of different realities, examining how places operate within their own rhythms of time. Through August 14, 14:00–20:00 at De Appel. · WORKSHOP

Improv Your Dutch masterclass for non-beginners: A one-hour session using improv techniques to practice Dutch in a low-pressure, playful setting. July 6, 18:00–19:00 at Language Corner Amsterdam, Frederik Hendrikplantsoen 98h. · CLASS

Julidans: Moving Mornings dance workshops at ITA: Daily morning movement workshops running as part of the Julidans festival. Through July 12, 11:00–12:30 at Internationaal Theater Amsterdam. · CLASS

Bachata for improvers, weekly class in de Pijp: A weekly partner-dance class aimed at those past the beginner stage, focusing on rhythm and connection. July 6, 20:30–21:30 at Leeslo Dance, de Pijp. · CLASS

Free walking tour of Amsterdam: A guided walk through the city center departing twice daily. July 6 at 10:30 and 16:00 from the National Monument, Dam Square. · TOUR

Movie night and knitting at De Nieuwe Anita: Cinemanita and Fiber Factory team up for a relaxed evening of film and yarn. July 6, 20:30 at De Nieuwe Anita. · GAMES / HOBBIES

Free food, ping-pong and board games every Monday in Noord: A casual weekly gathering with free food followed by games; donations of time or money are welcome. Mondays, 17:00–19:00 at Groene Veld, Amsterdam Noord. · GAMES / HOBBIES

Open jam session with Amsterdam Jam Collective: A live open-stage jam night welcoming musicians of all styles to join in or listen. July 6, 20:30 at Waterhole.

De Tuinen Van yard sale: A recurring seasonal marketplace event at a venue in the Houthavens area. Multiple dates through December 6 at De Tuinen Van, Amsterdam West. · FOOD / MARKETS

WORK / BUSINESS

Modefabriek fashion trade fair at Taets: The bi-annual Modefabriek trade fair brings together fashion buyers, brands, and industry professionals in Amsterdam Noord. July 6, Taets, Amsterdam Noord. · CONFERENCE

Free pop music industry Q&A with George O. Janssen: Music professional George O. Janssen answers questions about working in the pop industry in this free public session at the OBA. July 6, 2:00 PM, OBA. · SEMINAR / TALK

AABC Independence Day celebration on the Nassaukade: The Amsterdam American Business Club hosts its 2026 Independence Day event with only five spots remaining. July 6, 6:00–9:00 PM, Nassaukade 108. · SOCIAL / DRINKS

OPENINGS & CLOSINGS

Toscanini gets a sister restaurant: The beloved Italian on Lindengracht is expanding with a second spot. No further details confirmed yet. · RESTAURANT

Bouillon d'Amsterdam comes to the city center: A new bouillon-style restaurant is opening in Amsterdam Centrum. Further details are still to be confirmed. · RESTAURANT

Café Publiek: French-style bar-bistro on Dapperplein: This relaxed neighborhood spot in Oost brings a large terrace, stylish interior, and an extensive wine list. Open Wednesday through Sunday from afternoon into the night. Dapperplein 23, Oost. · BAR / CAFÉ

Strand van Oost opens in Amsterdam-East: A new outdoor venue called Strand van Oost is opening in Amsterdam-East. Further details are still to be confirmed. · BAR / CAFÉ

MOCA Amsterdam opens: A Museum of Contemporary Art is opening in Amsterdam, marking a significant addition to the city's cultural landscape. Details on location and program are still to be confirmed. · VENUE / SPACE

Ceintuur Theater opens in De Pijp: A new theater is arriving in De Pijp. Details on programming and opening dates are still to be confirmed. · VENUE / SPACE

GOOD TO KNOW

New on Dutch streaming: House of the Dragon S3 (HBO Max), Nosferatu (Netflix), Dirty Dancing (Disney+) and Five Nights at Freddy's 2 (SkyShowtime) have landed on streaming 🎬🐉

Overheard on Reddit: A post about Pet's Place opening next to a beloved mother-daughter pet shop sparked debate, with most locals vowing to vote with their wallets, though some doubted they actually would.

Today’s 2-for-1 deals: Sun lemon dishwasher tablets (2 for €29.95) from Albert Heijn.

Did you know? Paradiso opened in 1968 as the “Cosmic Relaxation Centre Paradiso,” turning a former religious building into one of Amsterdam’s most famous pop venues.

374 years ago today: On July 6th, 1652, Amsterdam’s old Town Hall on Dam Square burned down overnight, taking much of the city archive down with it.

In tomorrow’s edition: Bruno Mars serenades the ArenA, Kent Nagano raises Dvořák's New World at the Concertgebouw, and Julidans takes over the city with its international dance festival.

Have a good Monday, take it easy out there.

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