Thursday August 13, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: Circusbende Festival returns to Noord, and Daniel Ciobanu plays Grieg at the Concertgebouw.
At a glance
☀️ Weather: Hi 33°C / 94°F · Lo 15°C / 59°F · 0% chance of rain · wind E 17 km/h (9 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Great cycling weather all day.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 06:18 · Sunset 21:11 · New Moon · Moonrise 05:31 · Golden hour 20:41–21:11
🌊 Outdoors: Water 22°C / 72°F (swimmable) · Air quality: fair (AQI 22) · Swimming discouraged at Amsterdamse Bos and Spaarnwoude; warnings at Het Twiske and Strand De Hoge Dijk. The other 6 Amsterdam spots are clear.
💶 Markets: AEX 1,117 (+0.4%) · S&P 500 7,728 (-0.1%) · €1 = $1.15 · $1 = €0.87
🏆 Dutch sport: In athletics, Jonas Phijffers claimed bronze and set a national record in the 400 meters at the European Championships, while Florian Tesselaar sat in second place halfway through the decathlon, and the Dutch women's 4x100m freestyle relay team won gold in swimming.
Drought brings garden watering ban and sluice limits: Water board Amstel, Gooi and Vecht has introduced a garden watering ban across the region due to ongoing dry weather. Sluices and locks are also operating on restricted schedules to protect freshwater supplies from saltwater intrusion.
Babboe owners fight for claims in Accell bankruptcy: The Veilige Bakfiets Claims Foundation is pushing to protect cargo bike owners during the Accell bankruptcy proceedings. They want to ensure families with defective Babboe bikes receive fair compensation in Amsterdam.
Utrechtsestraat locals count traffic to demand safer streets: Frustrated by daily congestion, shop owners and residents along Utrechtsestraat have started running their own manual traffic counts. They hope the data will push the city to address street safety in the area.
Amsterdam launches road safety campaign as schools reopen: With summer holidays ending, the city of Amsterdam is running its annual street safety campaign to remind drivers to watch out for children traveling on their daily school routes.
Rochdale starts Bos en Lommer demolition after delays: Demolition has finally begun on 222 homes along Sinjeur Semeynstraat and Schaapherderstraat in Bos en Lommer. The work was postponed several times to give elderly residents extra time to find suitable housing.
Industry group warns against buying fake online air conditioners: Techniek Nederland is advising buyers in the Netherlands to be careful with online air cooling devices. Many units sold as full air conditioners are simple coolers that barely lower room temperatures.
Circusbende Festival brings circus and music to Noord: This summer festival features modern circus performances, live music, and open workshops across two weekends. August 13 to August 30, multiple times, Het Groene Veld, Amsterdam-Noord. Festival / Fair
NEMO hosts an interactive video game exhibition: Game On at NEMO: NEMO Science Museum is running an interactive exhibition exploring the history and design of video games. Visitors can learn about gaming culture and try out various playable titles. August 13 at NEMO Science Museum. Museum / Educational
Daniel Ciobanu plays Grieg at the Concertgebouw: Pianist Daniel Ciobanu takes the stage for Grieg's Piano Concerto, featured alongside Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet fantasy overture. August 13, 20:00, Concertgebouw (Main Hall). 📅
Yang Yang Cai performs at De Duif: Pianist Yang Yang Cai partners with the Otilka Kwartet for a Grachtenfestival chamber concert inside the historic wooden interior of De Duif. August 13, 20:00, De Duif. 📅
Halfpastseven plays live jazz and house set in Bella Vistapark: Local producer and pianist Halfpastseven is bringing a high-energy live performance to the park, blending jazz, trip-hop, and house beats. August 13, 17:00–18:00, Bella Vistapark. 📅
Outdoor jazz duo performs in Beatrixpark: Noah Stakenborg and Jeline Weening are staging an intimate outdoor jazz performance titled 'Schaduwspel' under the trees in Beatrixpark. August 13, 12:30–13:30, Beatrixpark. 📅
Sasha Berliner Quartet plays Felix Meritis: American vibraphonist Sasha Berliner brings her quartet to Felix Meritis for a modern jazz performance hosted by the Grachtenfestival. August 13, 21:00–22:00, Felix Meritis. 📅
Singles mixer brings offline dating to The Loft: This offline singles event offers drinks, small bites, and structured icebreakers set against panoramic views over the city. August 13, 19:00, A’DAM The Loft. 📅
De Balie opens Artists Against the Kremlin III: The opening of 'Memory Remains' features curatorial walkthroughs, conversations with featured artists, and a continuous live piano performance by Maria Nemtsova. August 13, 18:00, De Balie. 📅 Art / Museums
De Baarsjes Festival brings live music to MidWest: Head to MidWest for a neighborhood gathering with live music and local food. It is a relaxed evening designed to bring the community together. August 13, 17:00, MidWest. 📅 Festivals
Concerto hosts Phoebe Bridgers listening party: Gather at record shop Concerto for a collective listening session focused on the music of Phoebe Bridgers. August 13, 19:00, Concerto. 📅
Eye Filmmuseum screens high school comedy Bottoms: Catch this comedy about two unpopular high schoolers who start a fight club to meet girls before college. August 13, 19:00, Eye Filmmuseum. 📅 Film
Run and boat event offers 5K followed by canal cruise: This social workout starts with an easy 5K run from Leidseplein to the Olympic Stadium. Afterward, participants return on a canal boat cruise with drinks included. August 13, 18:30, Jimmy Woo. 📅 Sports (Active)
Magic draft game night pairs cards with chai in East: Join a Magic: The Gathering card draft night featuring South Asian food and warm chai served throughout the evening. August 13, 18:30, Wanakam. 📅 Games / Hobbies
Atelier 77 hosts weekly afternoon handicraft session: Bring your current crochet, knitting, embroidery, or craft project to this casual social gathering in the Rivierenbuurt to share techniques and converse with fellow crafters. August 13, 15:00, Atelier 77. 📅 Workshop
Stretch & Fold hosts phone-free spa evening: Unplug for an evening with access to a sauna and plunge pool overlooking the city skyline, alongside quiet space designated for reading, writing, and relaxed conversation. August 13, 18:30, Stretch and Fold. 📅 Games / Hobbies
Guided evening sketching walk launches along the canals: Local artist Ellie leads a two-hour workshop focusing on quick sketching techniques to capture historic architecture and evening light. Sketchbooks and drawing tools are provided with entry. August 13, 19:00, Magere Brug. 📅 Workshop
Bike maker behind Batavus and Babboe declared bankrupt: The Amsterdam District Court has officially declared Dutch cycling giant Accell bankrupt. The company owns well-known brands like Batavus, Sparta, Babboe, and Koga, throwing the future of these widely used bikes into uncertainty. Business News
Comedytrain moves from Toomler basement to Westergas: After 30 years in the basement venue beneath the Hilton Hotel, stand-up collective Comedytrain is leaving Toomler. The group will relocate its regular operations to the Westergas cultural park. Venue / Space
Pop-up wedding venue opens in East Amsterdam for temporary marriages: Marry for a Day: Julia van de Beek has opened a temporary wedding venue on Tweede Oosterparkstraat where couples can hold a symbolic ceremony for a single day. Shop / Store
New Villa museum opens at Westergas complex: A restored historic building on the Westergas grounds has opened as Villa, a museum where large-scale artworks are displayed in dedicated individual rooms to give each piece its own space. Westergasterrein. Venue / Space
Rufus Amsterdam: A new Italian-Albanian favorite in Amsterdam, blending Apulian culinary traditions with influences from a decade spent living and cooking in Tirana. Restaurant
Bar Lusconi: Cocktails, pizza, antipasti, and pasta made by real nonnas: at Bar Lusconi Amsterdam, you'll feel like you're in old Italy, thanks to the fresh dishes and cozy atmosphere. Bar / Café
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: Ted Lasso S4 (Apple TV+), X-Men '97 S2 (Disney+), Fight Club (Prime Video), Mourinho S1 (Netflix) 🎬🍿
New on the big screen: Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore returns to EYE, Jalan Raya Pos returns Saturday to Cinema The Pulse, and The Mission returns Tuesday 18 August to Filmhallen. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: A post suggesting a bike lane in the IJtunnel as a cheaper alternative to the proposed bridge drew pushback, with commenters pointing out the tunnel's steep gradient and exhaust fumes make daily cycling there genuinely impractical.
Today’s supermarket deals: Häagen-Dazs strawberry cheesecake (2 for €6.99) from Albert Heijn, Jumbo Gouda cheese (1+1 free) from Jumbo.
Did you know? Amsterdam has 881,000 bicycles but only 821,000 residents, more bikes than people.
486 years ago today: On August 13th, 1540, Emperor Charles V arrived in Amsterdam with Mary of Hungary and a large court for a carefully staged royal visit.
In tomorrow’s edition: TJ’s Pretty People give a free courtyard concert at De Nederlandsche Bank, Dutch singer-songwriter Pitou plays at the Bostheater, and a Sardinian pasta making workshop and lunch takes place on Koninginneweg.
Enjoy your Thursday, and stay cool out there.
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