Saturday August 1, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: the Pride Canal Parade floats through the city in warm sunshine, Ricciotti Street Orchestra plays free outdoor shows across West, and Sierra Ferrell takes the stage at Paradiso.
At a glance
☀️ Weather: Hi 24°C / 75°F (same as yesterday) · Lo 17°C / 63°F · 16% chance of rain · wind NW 16 km/h (9 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Great cycling weather all day.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 06:00 · Sunset 21:32 · Waning Gibbous · Moonrise 22:28 · Golden hour 21:02–21:32
🌊 Outdoors: Water 22°C / 72°F (swimmable) · Air quality: good (AQI 18)
💶 Markets: AEX 1,099 (+1.7%) · S&P 500 7,490 (+1.0%) · €1 = $1.15 · $1 = €0.87
🏆 Dutch sport: In women's football, PSV defeated Twente 3-0 to win the Supercup, while in diving, the Dutch mixed team finished eighth at the European Championships in Paris.
Nationwide public transport strike set for September 9: Trade union FNV has announced a 24-hour strike that will affect public transit across the Netherlands. Trains, trams, buses, and metros nationwide are expected to be impacted throughout the day.
WorldPride brings traffic and transit detours to Amsterdam: The city is rolling out major road closures and public transportation adjustments across Amsterdam to manage WorldPride crowds. Travelers should check updated routes beforehand to navigate around the planned detours.
Staff shortages reduce IJ ferry service on Pride Saturday: GVB could not fill its staff rosters for Saturday, August 1, leading to reduced ferry service across the IJ. Only two ferries instead of three will run on the routes from Centraal Station to Buiksloterweg and NDSM-werf during peak afternoon and evening hours.
Warm and sunny weather forecast for Canal Parade: Amsterdam weather is expected to remain pleasant over the weekend. Forecasts show clear skies and temperatures around 24 degrees Celsius in time for Saturday's parade.
Homeshare program pairs Dutch university students with seniors: An initiative matching university students with senior citizens is helping tackle high housing costs and social isolation across the Netherlands. Students pay around €781.50 per year in rent in exchange for providing companionship and light assistance around the house.
Amsterdam steps up security for WorldPride celebrations: City officials have placed Amsterdam on heightened alert following recent incidents in Berlin. Venue operators report long lines across the city as WorldPride events begin.
Culturele Noordspelen at Tolhuistuin: A free open-air arts program for children in Amsterdam-Noord, featuring workshops and creative activities in dance, theater, visual art, and music. 📅 Festival / Fair
Summer family program opens at Maritime Museum: The National Maritime Museum hosts a summer series featuring indoor and outdoor activities for families. Visitors can take part in creative workshops, water yoga, plastic-fishing boat trips, and museum exhibits. Through August 30, 10:00–17:00, Het Scheepvaartmuseum. 📅 Museum / Educational
Kids creative studio at H'ART Museum: Families can drop by the museum studio for a hands-on art workshop centered on playful, Dutch-inspired themes. August 1, 14:00, HART Museum. 📅 Kids Workshop
Expecting parents meetup at OBA Oosterdok: Parents expecting babies this autumn or winter are invited to connect over coffee at the central library's top-floor café. It offers a low-key setting to share experiences and meet neighbors. August 1, 10:30, OBA Oosterdok. 📅
Tragicomedy theater show for kids at De Parade: Performer Johanna Hagen presents a bittersweet theater piece about a Shetland pony trying to find the courage to jump over a fence. The show is suitable for ages seven and up. August 1, various times, De Parade, Martin Luther Kingpark. Family Show
Freddie Ballentine and Kunal Lahiry perform at Concertgebouw: Tenor Freddie Ballentine and pianist Kunal Lahiry share a program dedicated to celebrating Black composers and musicians. August 1, 20:00, Concertgebouw. 📅
Sierra Ferrell plays Paradiso on Heavy Petal Tour: American roots and country artist Sierra Ferrell performs in the main hall, joined by support act The Brudi Brothers. August 1, doors 19:00, Paradiso, Main Hall.
Willem performs new solo material at Tolhuistuin: Willem, former member of Dutch hip-hop group The Opposites, hosts a try-out show for his solo project. August 1, doors: 19:00, Main programme: 20:30, Tolhuistuin.
Boi Akih plays outdoor terrace concert at Bimhuis: Musical duo Boi Akih performs an outdoor set blending jazz, improvisation, and traditional Moluccan music. August 1, 20:00, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ. 📅
Tolhuistuin hosts free outdoor dub sessions: Spend an outdoor afternoon and evening in the garden listening to deep bass and relaxing live dub rhythms. Entry is free. August 1, 2026, 18:00, Tolhuistuin. Free 📅
Arts and cultural events set for Dam Square: Dam Square hosts a multi-day Pride program centered on arts and culture. The schedule includes live performances, exhibitions, and community gatherings right in the city center. Through August 2, 16:00–23:59, Dam Square. 📅 Festivals
Alok Vaid-Menon brings poetry and comedy to ITA: Writer and performance artist Alok Vaid-Menon takes the main stage for an evening combining poetry and comedy. August 1, 19:00, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam. 📅 Theater
Ricciotti Street Orchestra performs across Amsterdam West: The Ricciotti street orchestra brings an accessible program of symphonic music directly to public squares and neighborhood centers in West and Nieuw-West. August 1, 2026, Various public squares, Amsterdam West & Nieuw-West. 📅 Festivals
Hotel Arena hosts Peruvian cultural festival: Hotel Arena hosts a cultural showcase featuring Peruvian music, art, and traditions inside the hotel. August 1, 2026, 18:00, Hotel Arena. 📅 Festivals
Geert Sweep brings theatrical show to De Parade: Performer Geert Sweep takes his stage production "Mijn Hemel!" to the traveling theater festival. The performance runs as part of the daily festival schedule. August 1, Various times, Theaterfestival de Parade. Theater
Watch the Pride Canal Parade from a private boat: This non-commercial group boat outing offers a spot on the water to watch the Canal Parade up close. The trip includes a post-parade boat party featuring electronic music, drinks, and fresh pitas. August 1, 12:30, Amsterdam Canals. 📅 Tour
Outdoor Mario Kart session coming to Museumplein: Gamers are setting up a TV screen on the grass for an open Mario Kart meetup. Anyone is welcome to drop by, play a round, and hang out. August 1, 16:00, Museumplein. 📅 Games / Hobbies
Free beginner kayaking class offered in Amstelveen: Kanovereniging Frisia is hosting a free introductory session covering basic paddle strokes and safety. Attendees must be able to swim and bring a spare change of clothes. August 1, 15:00, Kanovereniging Frisia, Bleekerskade 4, Amstelveen. 📅 Sports (Active)
Het Schip hosts Amsterdam School tile-making workshop: Adults can design and craft a tile in the distinctive Amsterdam School architectural style during this hands-on creative session. August 1, 2026, 14:00, Museum Het Schip. 📅 Workshop
Ruigoord holds 32nd annual chess tournament: Players can test their tactical skills in the historic arts village of Ruigoord during its annual chess event. August 1, 2026, 12:30, Ruigoord Village Hall. 📅 Games / Hobbies
GoVolta seeks approval for Amsterdam to Paris rail route: Dutch rail operator GoVolta has formally requested regulator permission to run high-speed trains between Amsterdam and Paris. If approved, the service would begin competing directly with Eurostar in December 2028. Business News
ING scanner users face lockout from new Wero payments: Customers who rely on ING's physical security scanner will not be able to use the new European payment system, Wero. The transition away from iDEAL may leave non-smartphone users without a direct online banking option. Business News
Universal Music shares drop sharply in Amsterdam trading: Shares of Universal Music Group fell more than 20 percent on July 31 on Euronext Amsterdam. The decline came after second-quarter streaming subscription revenue came in lower than analysts expected. Business News
Mindful Drinks for Female Entrepreneurs: Connect with fellow female founders at this informal gathering designed for genuine conversations and valuable professional relationships. 📅 Networking
Zuidas Socials: Cross-Cultural Professional Meetup: A casual networking social bringing together expats, international professionals, entrepreneurs, and students, with a special focus on connecting diverse communities across Amsterdam. 📅 Networking
World Congress on Surgery and Anesthesia: A major international medical gathering at the Holiday Inn Amsterdam - Arena Towers, bringing together specialists to discuss modern surgical and anesthesia practices. 📅 Conference
The Swap Club opens permanent physical space: The Swap Club is celebrating its new location with music, drinks, and a casual clothing exchange. Guests are asked to bring one item of clothing to trade. August 21, 19:00, The Swap Club. 📅 Venue / Space
The Little Canelés: Bordeaux's most delicious pastry is now freshly and artisanally made for you in the Jordaan district. At Les Petits Canelés, you'll find what might be the tastiest pastry you've ever tasted. We speak from experience and the rave reviews the place has already garnered in a short time. The coffee is just as good. Bar / Café
Baked Amsterdam: Baked Amsterdam is now located on Hugo de Grootplein. Here you'll find old-fashioned classics with a new twist: baked potatoes with unique fillings. Think chili con carne, tuna salad, and smoked salmon. Prefer to choose your own meal? That's possible too – easily create your own meal. Restaurant
Peps: PEPS is a new venue on Bilderdijkstraat. It's a delightful shared dining concept where you can easily spend the entire evening. A Spanish wine and food bar unlike anything Amsterdam has ever seen. Bar / Café
Barossa: Barossa is a wonderful addition to Amsterdam Noord! This place cooks with the seasons and offers delicious dishes like ceviche of the day, steak tartare, and mushroom risotto. Restaurant
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: The Hunt for Red October (Netflix), Sugar S2 (Apple TV+), Star Trek: Strange New Worlds S4 (SkyShowtime), On Swift Horses (Prime Video) 🎬🍿
New on the big screen: Amantes is now showing at De Balie, Grease returns to LAB111, and La Haine returns to De Uitkijk. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: A post about social housing rents reaching €2,548 for 60m² drew comments noting that a decade ago similar flats went for €1,300, with one commenter defending the model as cross-subsidising affordable homes.
Today’s supermarket deals: L'Oréal Paris Elvive Multivitamines shampoo (2 for €7.59) from Albert Heijn, meat substitute burgers or sausages (2 for €5.50) from Jumbo.
Did you know? Amsterdam’s Homomonument was the world’s first memorial to people persecuted because of their sexual orientation.
39 years ago today: On August 1st, 1987, MTV Europe launched from Amsterdam’s RoXY, with Elton John switching it on and Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing” as the first video.
In tomorrow’s edition: Culturele Noordspelen takes place at Tolhuistuin, and ARTIS Zoo stays open late for its Summer Evenings.
Enjoy the sunshine and the parade today, and stay cool out there.
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