Saturday July 18, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: Olafur Eliasson is designing a deep-sea experience for the new ARTIS aquarium, a seven-meter rose-ringed parakeet statue is up in Noord, and De Pijp opens its gardens for the weekend.
At a glance
⛅ Weather: Hi 21°C / 70°F (5° cooler than yesterday) · Lo 17°C / 63°F · 4% chance of rain · wind NW 19 km/h (10 knots)
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 05:40 · Sunset 21:52 · Waxing Crescent · Moonrise 10:58 · Golden hour 21:22–21:52
🌊 Outdoors: Water 23°C / 73°F (swimmable) · Air quality: fair (AQI 24)
💶 Markets: AEX 1,092 (+0.6%) · S&P 500 7,458 (-1.6%) · €1 = $1.14 · $1 = €0.87
🏆 Dutch sport: Feyenoord beat Charleroi 3-1, Max Verstappen finished third in the second Belgian Grand Prix practice
Amstelveen Toddlers Get Free Swimming Pool Entry While Paddling Pools Closed: Because local paddling pools are closed due to new regulations, children up to age 4 can swim for free at De Meerkamp pool in Amstelveen. Local authorities are trying to bypass the rules to get the beloved outdoor wading spots open again.
Amsterdam-Oost neighbors share local solar power to bypass grid congestion: In an innovative community scheme, residents in Amsterdam-Oost are sharing their self-generated solar energy with neighbors, using smart push notifications to signal when it's cheapest to charge electric cars.
On-Screen Tipping Requests Irritate Dutch Café Visitors: As crowds flock to Amsterdam's terraces, visitors are increasingly annoyed by card terminals prompting pre-set tipping suggestions of 5%, 10%, or 15%. Hospitality representatives acknowledge the rising friction surrounding the imported trend.
Hundreds of Amsterdam Parents Fined for Pulling Kids Out of School Early for Holiday: According to figures from DUO, the parents of 426 children in Amsterdam chose to bypass school attendance rules last year to beat the holiday rush or extend their trips, resulting in 52 official fines being issued.
Olafur Eliasson Designs Deep-Sea Experience for New ARTIS Aquarium: Renowned artist Olafur Eliasson has designed an evocative deep-sea installation for the newly restored ARTIS Aquarium, blending architecture, science, and fine art in a major upgrade to the beloved city site.
Trade Union Announces 24-Hour National Train Strike for September: The FNV union has announced plans for widespread strikes in early September, including a full 24-hour halt to train traffic, alongside actions in hospitals and government services.
Children's Summer Festival at Krugerplein: A lively, neighborhood-focused summer party for kids at Krugerplein featuring games, outdoor play, and creative activities. 📅 Festival / Fair
Summer Program: Everyday Art with Your Family: Bring your children to Marineterrein for creative, hands-on family art sessions designed to spark young imaginations during the summer holidays. 📅 Kids Workshop
Family Studio: The Land of Chocolate Sprinkles: A playful creative workshop for families and children at the museum, inspired by imaginative worlds and Dutch themes. 📅 Kids Workshop
Butterfly Spotting Day at Amsterdamse Bos: Discover the colorful butterflies fluttering through the Amsterdamse Bos during this family-friendly nature spotting event. 📅 Outdoor / Active
Children's Summer Garden Painting Workshop: A creative outdoor-themed painting workshop for kids at the vibrant creative hub Treehouse NDSM. Let the young artists paint and express their imagination. 📅 Kids Workshop
Amsterdam in Concert with Karin Bloemen, Jamai & Glennis Grace: A grand, theatrical pop show celebrating Amsterdam featuring iconic Dutch vocalists inside the main hall of the Concertgebouw.
Amenra + Ho99o9 at Paradiso: Belgian metal outfit Amenra, known for their versatile blend of doom, sludge, and post-metal, brings their intense live performance to Paradiso's Main Hall alongside hip-hop/punk crossover duo Ho99o9.
Six60: New Zealand's massive soul-pop band Six60 blends R&B, folk, and Maori cultural instrumentation for a summery live performance at Melkweg, supported by Sven Cilliers. 📅
Afro-Surinamese Terrace Concert: Black Harmony: Soak in the summer vibes with a festive outdoor concert by Black Harmony on the terrace overlooking the water. 📅
Steppin' presents Ava Lavá live in the Park: Catch an open-air afternoon live music performance by Ava Lavá at the iconic Vondelpark Openluchttheater. 📅
No Art Festival 2026: Opening Festival: A major multi-disciplinary arts and house music festival featuring unconventional art performances and sound design in a unique setting. 📅 Festivals
Amore Festival: A vibrant celebration featuring a rich lineup of live acts and DJs playing kaseko, kawina, Afro, Latin, and global dance beats. 📅 Festivals
Comedy Night: Toby Oldenborger & Martijn Koning: Spend a summer evening laughing under the stars at Vondelpark's open-air stage with performances by Dutch comedians Toby Oldenborger and Martijn Koning. 📅 Comedy
Zomerlicht op Pampus: Island Sunset Dinner & Picnic: Sail into the evening sun to Pampus Island for a relaxing summer night of dining, outdoor picnicking, and island vibes as the light fades over the water. 📅 Food / Markets
Moths and Night Butterflies Lecture at Tuinpark Nieuwe Levenskracht: Discover the hidden nighttime biodiversity of Amsterdam in this interesting talk about moths and night butterflies at a local community garden. 📅 Talks / Ideas
Mario Kart Tournament at Blast Galaxy: Race your way through retro tracks at this classic arcade hall. Features a kid-friendly tournament starting at 14:00 and an all-ages tournament starting at 15:00, played across four massive projector screens. 📅 Games / Hobbies
Offline Rooftop, Poolside & Sauna Hangout: Disconnect from your digital screens at this unique rooftop gathering. Enjoy peaceful downtime, meet new people, and take advantage of a relaxing sauna session and cold pool plunge overlooking the Amsterdam skyline. Bring a book, journal, or board game to enjoy. 📅
Natural Soap Making Workshop: Learn the craft of creating your own zero-waste, natural soaps using plant-based ingredients at Nature Bar inside De Hallen. A hands-on creative session where you take home your own handmade bars. 📅 Workshop
Free Dutch Food & Culture Walking Tour: Explore the history of the Dutch kitchen on a guided walking tour starting from the Dam Square. Sample local culinary specialties and finish with a traditional tasting of Dutch Jenever (gin). Registration via their website is required. 📅 Tasting
Socrates Cafe Picnic & Philosophical Discussion: Take the conversation outdoors with this special summer edition of the Socrates Cafe. Bring snacks, drinks, and a towel for an open-minded outdoor picnic and deep philosophical discussions in the park. 📅 Games / Hobbies
Dutch Mortgage Rates Rise Significantly Due to Geopolitical Tension: According to mortgage consultancy De Hypotheekshop, mortgage providers have raised interest rates sharply this week. The increases are driven by rising capital market rates linked to ongoing geopolitical instability. Business News
Norrsken Evolve Opens Amsterdam Base to Support Dutch Founders: The €62 million Norrsken Evolve fund, backed by Klarna’s co-founder, is establishing an office in Amsterdam. The fund aims to support early-stage Dutch tech founders, targeting a critical funding gap highlighted in the State of Dutch Tech 2026 report.
Amsterdam Waste Platform Seenons Expands to Germany and Denmark: Amsterdam-based circular waste management platform Seenons is expanding its European footprint by acquiring Danish waste company Junkbusters, paving its way into the German market. Business News
Neighbors Demand Zuidas Grill Restaurant La Mesa Extinguish BBQ Permanently: Concerned residents of the Symphony tower in Amsterdam's Zuidas business district took their case to court, demanding that grill restaurant La Mesa shut down its Spanish charcoal grill due to fire hazard fears. Business News
Papa Aswa: A profile of restaurant Papa Aswa in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, which has become a destination for Surinamese-Dutch diners from near and far. The establishment offers refined versions of classic, authentic Surinamese flavors built on a foundation of onion, garlic, and hot pepper. Business News
Local Spotlight: Bakery Mater Draws Weekend Lines in De Pijp: Every Saturday and Sunday morning, a long queue winds down Ceintuurbaan waiting for fresh, slow-fermented treats from the beloved neighborhood Bakery Mater. Bar / Café
Eurosoft Café Opens in Amsterdam Noord: Eurosoft, a new café in Amsterdam Noord, has opened its doors, part of Rein op 't Root's growing Euroworld concept in the city. Worth a trip across the IJ if you're curious about what's brewing in Noord. Bar / Café
Iconic Photo Shop Leaves Hugo de Grootplein: The landmark photography store on Hugo de Grootplein is officially closing its doors or moving away from the neighborhood, marking the end of an era. Shop / Store
Wilde Amsterdam Noord: Boutique aparthotel brand Wilde has opened its first extended-stay property in Amsterdam Noord overlooking the IJ, aimed at stays of a week or longer for business travelers, digital nomads and long-visit guests. Venue / Space
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: Heartstopper Forever (Netflix), The Creator (Netflix), Murder in the Skies: Who Downed MH17? (Disney+), Cape Fear (Apple TV+) 🎬
Overheard on Reddit: Someone's OV chipkaart rant about needing a machine visit to claim free kids' subscriptions drew more sympathy for the DigiD requirement than the poster expected, given fraud concerns.
Today’s 2-for-1 deals: Ambre Solaire sensitive mist SPF50 (2 for €25.99) from Albert Heijn, Page toilet paper or Kleenex tissues (2 for €1.89) from Jumbo.
Did you know? Amsterdam’s Condomerie opened in 1987 as the world’s first specialised condom shop.
140 years ago today: On July 18th, 1886, Amsterdam held one of its first swimming competitions for women, a public sporting event that was controversial at the time.
In tomorrow’s edition: France vs. Spain World Cup semi-final on the giant screen at WestWeelde, ARTIS Summer Evenings with music, theater and magic at the zoo, and Martin Parr at FOAM Photography Museum.
Have a steady Saturday out there.
