A DAILY AMSTERDAM CITY BRIEFING

Good morning, Amsterdam. 🎉 Ajax have landed Marc-André ter Stegen on loan, Bruno Mars hits the ArenA tonight, and MidzomerMokum kicks off a summer's worth of free city fun, plus a packed weekend for families, festival-goers, and anyone trying to avoid the A1.

A1 highway closes toward Amsterdam for most of the summer: Rijkswaterstaat is carrying out major maintenance on the A1 between Eemnes and Muiderberg, with drivers warned of up to an hour of extra travel time. July 3, 23:00–August 17, 05:00; A1 between Eemnes and Muiderberg.

Schiphol warns of up to five-hour waits for non-EU travelers: The airport is cautioning non-EU passengers to expect significantly longer border processing times under a new entry system. Schiphol Airport.

Amstelveenseweg under the A10 closes for six weeks: The stretch of Amstelveenseweg passing under the A10 Zuid ring road will be shut for six weeks, affecting routes in and out of that part of the city. Amstelveenseweg/A10 Zuid.

Amsterdam trials a self-sailing cargo ship to reduce delivery vans: The city is testing an autonomous vessel designed to move goods by water and reduce the number of delivery vans clogging Amsterdam's streets. Amsterdam.

Design your own Amsterdam School tile at Museum Het Schip: Kids and adults can try their hand at decorative tile design in a workshop inspired by the building's distinctive Amsterdam School architecture. July 4, 11:15, Museum Het Schip. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Children's garden painting workshop at NDSM Treehouse: Kids explore art-making through play in a nature-filled outdoor setting at the NDSM Treehouse in Amsterdam North. July 4, NDSM Treehouse, TT. Neveritaweg 57. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Kids' printmaking workshop at the Rembrandt House Museum: Children learn etching techniques in Rembrandt's own home, running weekly through late August, tickets required. July 4–August 23, 13:00–14:30, Museum Rembrandthuis. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Peter and the Wolf at Vondelpark Openluchttheater: This free outdoor performance of the classic tale is perfect for families with young children. No tickets needed. July 4, 15:00, Vondelpark Openluchttheater. · FAMILY SHOW

Robin Hood outdoor theater in the Amsterdamse Bos: Het Kleine Theater brings this classic adventure story to the open-air stage in the woods, suitable for children ages 4 and up. July 4, 20:00, Het Amsterdamse Bostheater. · FAMILY SHOW

Free summer vacation program at the Maritime Museum: Het Scheepvaartmuseum runs free daily programming for kids all summer, including exhibitions, workshops, and performances. July 4–August 30, 10:00–17:00, Het Scheepvaartmuseum. · MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL

The Makery hands-on inventions workshop at NEMO: Kids experiment with three techniques rooted in 19th-century discoveries in this interactive workshop space inside NEMO Science Museum. July 4, NEMO Science Museum, Oosterdok 2. · MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL

Toy Story Studio and drawing corner at the Rijksmuseum: Young visitors can draw, create, and explore storytelling through art in a dedicated kids' space inside the Rijksmuseum. July 4, Rijksmuseum. · MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL

English storytime for kids at the OBA: Amanda leads a read-aloud session in English for young children at Amsterdam's central public library. July 4, 11:30, OBA. · STORY / READING

ARTIS summer evenings: music, theater, and magic at the zoo: The zoo opens its park for late-afternoon programming including live music, theater, and performances through late August. July 4–August 29, 16:00–21:00, ARTIS. · FESTIVAL / FAIR

Carnival of the Animals outdoor children's art festival: The fourth edition of this free open-air kids' art festival brings creative activities and performances to a neighborhood farm setting. July 4, 13:00–16:00, Kinderboerderij 't Brinkie. · FESTIVAL / FAIR

Kwaku Summer Festival at Nelson Mandelapark: This long-running music and culture festival wraps up with live performances, food stalls, and family entertainment. Through July 4, 14:00–23:00, Nelson Mandelapark. · FESTIVAL / FAIR

Festival TREK at Amstelpark: This family-friendly festival in Amstelpark features entertainment and activities for kids and parents through the weekend. Through July 5, 16:00–21:30, Amstelpark. · FESTIVAL / FAIR

Summer family performances at Vondelpark Openluchttheater: The open-air theater in Vondelpark hosts a range of free family shows throughout the summer season. July 4, Vondelpark Openluchttheater.

Summer family fun at Teylers Museum in Haarlem: Teylers Museum, a short train ride from Amsterdam, offers family-oriented programming this summer, a solid day-trip option. July 4, Teylers Museum, Haarlem.

Bruno Mars at Johan Cruijff ArenA: The Romantic Tour brings Bruno Mars to Amsterdam for what's shaping up to be one of the summer's biggest stadium nights. July 4, Johan Cruijff ArenA.

Vunzige Deuntjes Festival 2026: The annual Dutch urban music festival returns with a strong lineup spanning the genre's current landscape. July 4; venue to be confirmed, check the festival's official site.

Stochelo Rosenberg and Jermaine Landsberger at Concertgebouw: Gypsy jazz guitar royalty meets boogie-woogie piano, with harpist Hermine Deurloo rounding out a compelling one-night bill. July 4, 20:00, Concertgebouw.

Jeremy Pelt Quartet at Bimhuis: The New York trumpeter brings his quartet to one of Amsterdam's best jazz rooms for a tight, focused set. July 4, 20:30–22:10, Bimhuis.

Global Soul Honour Roll at Paradiso: A soul and R&B night celebrating the genre's breadth, from classic cuts to contemporary voices. July 4, 19:30, Paradiso.

The Bridge City Sinners at Melkweg: The Portland folk-punk outfit mixes dark Americana, jazz, and fire-and-brimstone energy into a reliably rowdy live show. July 4, 19:00, Melkweg.

Amsterdam Gay Men's Chorus at Muziekgebouw: "Cabaret at the End of the World" promises the chorus in full theatrical mode, irreverent, polished, and very much show-must-go-on. July 4, 20:30, Muziekgebouw.

Tribute to Ludovico Einaudi at Posthoornkerk: Mystery Ensemble performs the Italian composer's minimalist piano works in an intimate historic church setting. July 4, 20:00, Posthoornkerk, Haarlemmerstraat 124–126.

Harp and cello duo in a Wallen garden: A classical and folk concert tucked into one of the neighborhood's hidden courtyards, a quiet counterpoint to the surrounding streets. July 4, 15:00, Koestraat 15.

Man in the Mirror Michael Jackson tribute at DeLaMar Theater: A dedicated Michael Jackson tribute show takes the stage for an evening performance. DeLaMar Theater, July 4, 20:00. · THEATER

Mike Wozniak: The Bench at Boom Chicago Comedy Festival: British comedian Mike Wozniak brings his latest stand-up show to the Boom Chicago Comedy Festival. Boom Chicago, July 4, 22:00. · COMEDY

Louis Hanson: GOOD BOY! at Boom Chicago Comedy Festival: Australian comedian Louis Hanson performs his show GOOD BOY! as part of the Boom Chicago Comedy Festival. Boom Chicago, July 4, 19:30. · COMEDY

E.T. live in concert at the Concertgebouw: Spielberg's classic screens with a live orchestra performing John Williams's score. Het Koninklijk Concertgebouw, July 3–4, 20:00. · FILM

Jack Johnson documentary SURFILMUSIC screens at Melkweg Cinema: This new film traces Johnson's path from surf filmmaker to global musician, blending water footage with music and creative life. Melkweg Cinema, July 4, 21:15. · FILM

Free outdoor art market at the Spui: Art Amsterdam Spui returns with free browsing of works by local and national artists on the square. Spui, through July 26, 11:00–18:00. · ART / MUSEUMS

MidzomerMokum summer festival begins: Six weeks of free and ticketed events, sport, culture, and more, spread across Amsterdam West and beyond. July 4–August 16, various locations. · FESTIVALS

Buurtcamping Oosterpark wraps up this weekend: A section of Oosterpark transforms into a neighborhood campsite for the final day of the three-day community event. Through July 5, Oosterpark. · FESTIVALS

A Field Trip to the Cosmos at Ruigoord: Paradiso and Ruigoord join forces for a full-day event mixing music, art, performance, poetry, and science. Ruigoord, July 4, doors 13:00, closes 23:00. · FESTIVALS

Batik, Beats & Bumbu Indonesian culture festival at De Balie: A multi-day festival celebrating Indonesian film, music, food, and culture runs through July 8. De Balie, Leidseplein, through July 8. · FESTIVALS

World Cup matches on the big screen at De Foodhallen: Every FIFA World Cup game broadcasts on a large screen inside De Foodhallen. Through July 19, 10:00–21:00. · SPORTS (SPECTATOR)

FIFA World Cup 2026 live at Waterhole: Watch the day's World Cup match on screen at this central live-music bar. Waterhole, July 4, 19:00. · SPORTS (SPECTATOR)

Dancers of Tomorrow 2026 at the Amsterdam Arts University: The Nationaal Ballet showcases its next generation of dancers in an evening performance at the Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten. July 4, 20:00. · DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Double bill at Vondelpark Open-Air Theater: Berit Companjen and Esther van der Voort: Two performers share the outdoor stage at the Vondelpark Openluchttheater for a free summer evening show. July 4, 20:30. · DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Rooftop painting workshop at Zoku Amsterdam: Spend three hours painting a fried egg scene on acrylic canvas with city views from the Zoku rooftop. No experience needed. July 4, 14:00, Weesperstraat 105. · WORKSHOP

Japanese prints in watercolor workshop at De Hallen: A four-hour watercolor session inspired by Japanese printmaking, held inside Café Belcampo at De Hallen. July 4, 11:00–15:00. · WORKSHOP

Indonesia in Amsterdam walking tour: A guided walk through the city tracing Amsterdam's historical and cultural ties to Indonesia. July 4, 13:00, Amsterdam Centraal, Stationsplein. · TOUR

Literary walk with author Irwan Droog in Noord: Writer Irwan Droog reads from his 2026 book about city pigeons on a literary stroll around Winkelcentrum Boven 't Y. July 4, 11:00, Bookstore Van der Plas, Amsterdam-Noord. · TOUR

Campfire karaoke all summer at Camping Zeeburg: Sing around the fire at this free outdoor karaoke series running through late August. Camping Zeeburg, IJburg/East; through August 28, 19:00–21:00.

UX Camp Amsterdam 2026: This one-day BarCamp brings together 120-plus designers and researchers for 25-plus attendee-led sessions in an open, participatory format. July 4, 9:30–17:15, HvA Corry Tendeloohuis, Amsterdamse Poort. · CONFERENCE

Carhartt WIP Nieuwe Spiegelstraat: New Amsterdam shop at Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 34, in a former gallery-style space. · SHOP / STORE

Malelions at Amsterdam The Style Outlets: Opened its second physical store at Amsterdam The Style Outlets. · SHOP / STORE

Flabelus: Spanish footwear brand opened at Kerkstraat 146 on June 6. · SHOP / STORE

In tomorrow’s edition: Bruno Mars serenades the ArenA, Kae Tempest holds court under the open sky at the Bos, and Julidans takes over the city one stage at a time.

Enjoy the long summer evening, you've earned it.