Essentially Amsterdam
Sunday August 2, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Rob Jetten became the first sitting Dutch prime minister to sail in the Pride canal parade yesterday, the Sunday Market returns to Westergas, and John Grant performs a tribute to Patsy Cline in the Amsterdamse Bos.
At a glance
☀️ Weather: Hi 25°C / 77°F · Lo 15°C / 59°F · 0% chance of rain · wind E 21 km/h (11 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Great cycling weather all day.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 06:02 · Sunset 21:30 · Waning Gibbous · Moonrise 22:38 · Golden hour 21:00–21:30
🌊 Outdoors: Water 22°C / 72°F (swimmable) · Air quality: fair (AQI 20)
💶 Markets: AEX 1,099 (+1.7%) · S&P 500 7,490 (+1.0%) · €1 = $1.15 · $1 = €0.87
🏆 Dutch sport: In women's cycling, Lorena Wiebes won the opening stage of the Tour de France Femmes to take the yellow jersey, while in beach volleyball, Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon advanced to the semifinals in Rio de Janeiro.
News
Rob Jetten becomes first Dutch prime minister on Pride boat: Prime Minister Rob Jetten joined the official canal parade aboard a festival boat on Saturday. It marks the first time a sitting Dutch head of government has taken part in the parade along the city center canals.
GVB finds extra captains to maintain ferry service: City transport operator GVB secured additional crew members to keep ferry routes running despite ongoing scheduling issues. The extra shifts prevented major transit disruptions across the IJ during a busy summer weekend.
Sunny August forecast threatens to worsen regional drought: Forecasters expect high temperatures and dry conditions across the Netherlands through early August. Clear skies will bring warm weather for outdoor plans, though water shortages may worsen across the region.
Train stations offer changing spaces for Pride visitors: NS has set up dedicated areas inside city train stations so arriving travelers can change into party clothing. The spaces aim to make arriving in town for events easier.
Amsterdam conditions hamper home battery adoption: High-rise apartments, compact roofs, and limited direct sunlight create unique obstacles for Amsterdam homeowners trying to install home battery systems.
Caravans outsell camper vans again in the Netherlands: Dutch sales figures show caravans have pulled ahead of motorized camper vans to become the country's preferred holiday vehicle once again. Industry observers note it marks a return to traditional camping habits across the Netherlands.
Family / Children
Wereldmuseum celebrates Raksha Bandhan with family activities: The museum marks the Hindu festival of family bonds with creative workshops and cultural events. August 2, 12:00, Wereldmuseum. 📅 Festival / Fair
Summer bouldering classes for kids hosted at Monk: Kids can burn off extra holiday energy and learn basic climbing skills during open summer bouldering sessions. Through August 15, Monk Bouldergym. 📅 Outdoor / Active
KiMu hosts summer art workshops for children: Children can experiment with art materials, work on their own projects, and display their creations in a dedicated gallery space. August 2, KiMu Children's Art Museum. 📅 Kids Workshop
Maritime Museum holds family Pride event: The museum hosts a family afternoon featuring storytelling and craft activities organized with Plastic Whale to celebrate diversity. August 2, National Maritime Museum. 📅 Museum / Educational
Family Montessori walk meets at Park Frankendael: Families gather in Watergraafsmeer for a monthly outdoor session that includes a meditation, book reading, and paper crafting at the local playground. August 2, 2026, 10:15, Park Frankendael, Watergraafsmeer, Amsterdam. 📅 Outdoor Active
Music
Amiri Harewood performs terrace piano show at Muziekgebouw: Pianist Amiri Harewood plays a solo afternoon concert featuring works from Bach to modern dance-inspired compositions. August 2, 15:00, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, Terrace. 📅
Peter Somuah Band and Diana Dzhabbar perform at Vondelpark: Ghanaian-Dutch trumpeter Peter Somuah and Diana Dzhabbar share an outdoor double bill in the park this Sunday afternoon. August 2, 15:00, Vondelpark Openluchttheater. 📅
Ying Wa Symphonic Band plays at Vondelpark theater: The international ensemble performs an outdoor classical music concert at the Vondelpark Open-Air Theater. August 2, 12:00, Vondelpark Openluchttheater. 📅
John Grant performs Patsy Cline songs in the forest: Singer-songwriter John Grant teams up with Richard Hawley and his band to cover classic Patsy Cline country tracks outdoors. August 2, 18:00, Amsterdamse Bos Open-Air Theater. 📅
Ismena plays free folk concert at Camping Zeeburg: Folk musician Ismena performs a free outdoor evening set at the campsite terrace in Oost. No ticket or reservation is required. August 2, 18:00, Camping Zeeburg Amsterdam, IJburg/Oost. 📅
Events: Watch
Sunday Market returns to Westergas with local stalls: Browse art, design, fashion, and food stalls from local makers set up throughout the park grounds. August 2, 12:00–18:00, Westergas. 📅 Food / Markets
KIT Intercultural Professionals hosts Trans Made Market: This community market highlights goods and services created by trans makers as part of the city's WorldPride programming. August 2, 14:30–19:00, KIT Intercultural Professionals, Oost. 📅 Festivals
Amstelpark hosts afternoon of Brazilian music and dance: The Brazilian Summer Festival features a dance workshop led by Sérgio Amorim followed by a live musical set from Grupo Maracujá. August 2, From 14:00, Stadshout Paviljoen, Amstelpark. Festivals
Art Amsterdam sets up outdoor market on Spui: Local artists display and sell their work directly to visitors at this free open-air market in the city center. August 2, 11:00-18:00, Elthetokerk, Javastraat 118. 📅 Food / Markets
Danny and Dilly bring theatrical bingo to De Parade: This eccentric theatrical bingo performance brings comedy, unexpected live acts, and prizes to the De Parade theater festival. August 2, 2026, 21:00 - 22:30, De Parade, Martin Luther Kingpark. 📅 Theater
Events: Do
Volunteers can fish plastic from canals for Pride weekend: Join a community cleanup event to scoop floating trash out of the water aboard small boats. August 2, 12:00–15:00, National Maritime Museum. 📅 Volunteering
Post-parade cleanup group targets canal litter: Volunteers gather the morning after the parade to clear trash from the historic center, followed by drinks and snacks. August 2, 11:00, Oudezijds Voorburgwal 266. 📅 Volunteering
Guided tours visit historic Zeeburg Jewish Cemetery: Learn about local history on a walking tour through this quiet 18th-century monument in East Amsterdam. August 2, 11:00–14:00, Zeeburg Jewish Cemetery. 📅 Tour
IJ Neighborhood Ferry sails to Nieuwendam and Durgerdam: Passengers can board a scenic boat ride heading north along the IJ toward quiet local villages. August 2, 11:00, Steiger 14 (Pier 14), Amsterdam. 📅 Tour
Vondelpark hosts outdoor sketchbook session for creatives: Studio Keff and illustrator @hadaru90 hold a relaxed gathering focused on playful observation prompts and casual drawing. August 2, 16:00, Vondelpark. 📅 Workshop
Work / Business
Dutch cabinet submits Right to Repair bill to parliament: A new bill following EU directives aims to make product repairs cheaper and easier for consumers in the Netherlands. The proposed rules are expected to take effect by the end of the year. Business News
Unilever expects no major Dutch job cuts after food sale: Following the sale of its food division to US company McCormick & Co, Unilever announced it does not expect significant job losses at its offices in the Netherlands. Business News
Dutch economy grows by 0.4 percent in Q2: Gross domestic product in the Netherlands grew by 0.4 percent in the second quarter of 2026. Official figures show slight economic expansion despite ongoing global uncertainty. Business News
Court rejects Dutch tax claim against software founders: The Hague District Court admonished the Dutch Tax Authority for pursuing an unsustainable multimillion-euro tax bill against the founders of software company Mendix. Business News
Electric vehicles reach half of Dutch July car sales: Fully electric vehicles accounted for nearly half of all new passenger car sales in the Netherlands last month, despite a general drop in total registrations. Business News
Vendora launches European marketplace for Dutch sellers: Dutch private sellers can now list second-hand items and collectibles for buyers across all 27 EU member states through Vendora.eu's integrated cross-border platform. Business News
Openings & Closings
Vinyl Rocks opens in Amsterdam West with records and food: A new neighborhood spot has opened in Amsterdam West combining vinyl records with food and drink. Visitors can enjoy local craft beer and Brazilian finger foods alongside spinning music. Bar / Café
Muse Pilates opens boutique studio in East: Drop by during the soft launch afternoon to explore Amsterdam's first boutique Cadformer Pilates studio, try the machines, and meet the trainers. August 8, 2026, 11:00 - 15:00, Reinwardtstraat 350. 📅 Venue / Space
Leonardo's Ravioli Bar: Toscanini chef Leonardo Pacenti felt it was time to take matters into his own hands. And so it happened, because for a while now Leonardo's Ravioli Bar Amsterdam A fact of life at the always bustling Van der Helstplein. He jokingly calls his new spot a "glorified Italian snack bar," but don't let that fool you: the affordable pasta here is of high quality. Bar / Café
Club Birdies: The largest indoor golf course in the Benelux has landed in Amsterdam. So get ready for a fun and active night out, because the bar and restaurant area are also fantastic. Bar / Café
Moyo: Meat and fish lovers, take note! At Moyo, part of the speakeasy in Paindemie, you've come to the right place for delicious wagyu and toro. Here you'll find the crème de la crème of fish and meat, in a cozy setting. Restaurant
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: Final Destination Bloodlines (Netflix), The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Disney+), The Usual Suspects (Prime Video), Back to the Future (SkyShowtime) 🎬
New on the big screen: Beach Rats returns Saturday 8 August to Studio/K, Down by Law to Filmhallen, and Kiki to EYE. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: A Trustpilot consumer warning on bunq's profile for fake reviews drew comments calling the company long overdue for scrutiny, with several people describing its culture and CEO in strongly negative terms.
Today’s supermarket deals:  Biodermal sensitive sun spray SPF30 (2 for €36.49) from Albert Heijn, BBQ (4 for €10.00) from Jumbo.
Did you know? Canal houses lean forward intentionally so that hoisted goods wouldn't hit the wall or break windows when being hauled up with a pulley system.
351 years ago today: On August 2nd, 1675, the Portuguese Synagogue, known as the Esnoga, was consecrated in Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter.
Adoptable pet of the dayAdoptable pet of the day: Meet Caatje, a 2-year-old French bulldog at Dierenopvang Amsterdam. Take a look →
In tomorrow’s edition: House of Eddy plays WestWeelde, DOCK on TOUR brings an open football tournament to the square, and there is a free practice hour for language, computer and money skills at the OBA.
Enjoy your Sunday in the city.
Essentially Amsterdam
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