Thursday July 30, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: Dekmantel Festival kicks off, an outdoor children's play comes to the Amsterdamse Bos, and a mango sticky rice ice cream pop-up opens in West.
At a glance
☀️ Weather: Hi 26°C / 79°F · Lo 20°C / 68°F · 0% chance of rain · wind W 17 km/h (9 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Great cycling weather all day.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 05:57 · Sunset 21:35 · Full Moon · Moonrise 22:05 · Golden hour 21:05–21:35
🌊 Outdoors: Water 22°C / 72°F (swimmable) · Air quality: fair (AQI 27) · grass pollen moderate
💶 Markets: AEX 1,093 (+0.6%) · S&P 500 7,316 (-2.4%) · €1 = $1.14 · $1 = €0.88
🏆 Dutch sport: In cycling, Wout van Aert marked his return with a victory in the Tour of Denmark after missing the Tour de France.
Outdoor swim warnings increase as high temperatures continue: Official health warnings at designated swim spots across the Amsterdam area and beyond have doubled since late June. Swimmers should review local water safety advice before heading out.
Schiphol Airport struggles with nearly 4,000 job vacancies: Schiphol Airport is currently facing roughly 4,000 unfilled job roles across its operations. Industry insiders warn that staffing shortages are straining day-to-day airport management and could lead to travel disruptions.
Major summer highway works threaten heavy traffic delays across Netherlands: Rijkswaterstaat is running extensive road maintenance across Dutch highways throughout the summer season. Drivers face detours and potential peak delays of up to an hour on major routes.
Virgin Voyages selects Amsterdam as 2028 cruise homeport: Virgin Voyages will base its cruise ship Valiant Lady in the Port of Amsterdam starting in summer 2028. The ship will run six regional itineraries focused on Scandinavia and the Baltic region.
Volt proposes opening IJtunnel to microcars for easier crossings: Political party Volt wants Amsterdam to study allowing microcars into the IJtunnel. Currently, drivers of these small vehicles face long detours between North and South because they are banned from the tunnel and cannot easily use passenger ferries.
The Netherlands records its hottest July 29 on record: Temperatures at the national weather station in De Bilt reached 31.7 degrees Celsius on July 29, setting a new official record for the date. The spike comes as a broader heat wave passes through the country.
Children's play outdoor show comes to Amsterdamse Bos: A gentle outdoor theater performance tailored for toddlers aged two and up is running in the woods. July 30, Various times, Het Amsterdamse Bostheater. Family Show
Kids learn to skateboard at Skate Cafe: Children can practice fundamental skateboarding skills in a dedicated indoor venue in Noord during an afternoon beginner lesson. July 30, 16:00, Skate Cafe, Amsterdam-Noord. 📅 Kids Workshop
Kolenkit holds outdoor sports afternoon for neighborhood youth: Local kids can head to the neighborhood Cruyff Court for an afternoon of outdoor games and organized sports led by community group DOCK. July 30, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Cruyff Court Kolenkit, Amsterdam West. Outdoor / Active
Vue Houthavens screens animated family film Mischief in Egypt: Vue Amsterdam Houthavens is showing an animated cat adventure movie suitable for children and families. July 30, Vue Amsterdam Houthavens. 📅 Family Show
Children can hunt for aquatic life with the forest ranger: Forest Ranger Kidsclub: Kids can join the local forest ranger to search for aquatic creatures and learn about nature. The outdoor activity takes place July 30 at 14:00 in the Amsterdamse Bos. 📅 Outdoor / Active
Netherlands Youth Orchestra performs Berlioz and Rachmaninoff: Conductor Jurjen Hempel leads the orchestra in Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, joined by pianist Nathalia Milstein for Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto. July 30, 8:00 PM, Het Concertgebouw.
Moses and Aaron Church hosts free harp concert: A soothing classical harp performance takes place inside the historic church near Waterlooplein. July 30, 20:00 - 21:15, Moses and Aaron Church. 📅
Benedict Cork plays intimate set at Torpedo Theater: British singer-songwriter Benedict Cork performs a set of piano-driven pop music in an intimate, red-velvet theater space. July 30, 19:00, Torpedo Theater. 📅
Traditional Irish music fills Mulligans with Leonard Barry Trio: The Leonard Barry Trio brings an evening of classic Irish folk tunes to an established local venue. July 30, 21:00, Mulligans. 📅
Ola Rud Trio plays vocal jazz and Latin tunes in Haarlemmerbuurt: Musicians Ola Rud, Pietro Aloi, and Tomek van Leeuwen perform an intimate set of vocal jazz, blues, and Latin rhythms. July 30, 20:30, Roode Remise. 📅
Dekmantel Festival kicks off multi-stage music lineup: The electronic music festival returns with a range of international DJs and live artists performing across multiple stages. July 30, 18:30, Amsterdam. 📅 Festivals
English comedy show pokes fun at Amsterdam life: Sweet Home Amsterdama brings an evening of stand-up focused on the quirks of living in the Dutch capital. July 30, 20:00 - 22:00, Boom Chicago. 📅 Comedy
Ajax faces FK Vojvodina in home European match: Ajax hosts Serbian side FK Vojvodina for a fixture in their European campaign. July 30, 20:00, Johan Cruijff ArenA. 📅 Sports (Spectator)
Live performance WABR and IDA comes to NEMO roof: NEMO Science Museum's rooftop terrace hosts an open-air live performance by WABR and IDA paired with evening views of the city. July 30, 17:30 - 21:00, NEMO Science Museum Roof. 📅 Dance / Performance
Third Culture Tales explores international identity through storytelling and music: Noordspace hosts an evening of personal storytelling and live music focused on living across cultures and international identity. July 30, 20:00, Noordspace, Gedempt Hamerkanaal 96. 📅 Talks / Ideas
Crochet workshop offers tulip keychain crafting session: This beginner-friendly workshop teaches basic crochet techniques to help you make a custom tulip keychain. July 30, 15:00, Atelier 77, Rivierenbuurt. 📅 Workshop
Community gathering collects IJ river memories at Pakhuis de Zwijger: Pakhuis de Zwijger hosts an interactive evening to gather personal stories, anecdotes, and local history about the IJ river. The collected memories will be used for future educational boat trips. July 30, 20:00 - 22:00, Pakhuis de Zwijger. 📅
Designer guides custom jewelry workshop in Zuidoost: Designer Kristen Martina leads a hands-on crafting session where participants aged 16 and older learn to make their own custom jewelry piece. July 30, 12:00, Jeugdcentrum Anansi, Daalwijkdreef. 📅 Workshop
Steigerplek offers introductory Van Gogh painting workshop: Participants can try out classic post-impressionist techniques and painting styles inspired by Vincent van Gogh in a guided session. July 30, 14:00 - 16:00, Steigerplek. 📅 Workshop
Group dinner introduces classic Dutch food traditions: This small-group dinner offers a practical introduction to local food culture. Guests can sample Dutch cheeses, herring, smoked eel, and bitterballen, followed by traditional stamppot. July 30, 18:30, De Hollandse Tulp. 📅 Tasting
Dutch designer shortlisted to redesign Euro banknotes: Dutch designer Joost Grootens is among ten finalists selected by the European Central Bank to create new banknote designs. His proposal focuses on modern European themes rather than historical figures, and public voting is now open online. Business News
Analysis highlights missed collaboration between Amsterdam and Eindhoven tech hubs: A new regional comparison looks at why the tech hubs of Amsterdam and Eindhoven struggle to connect their strengths. Despite both being major international players, experts say better cooperation could boost both regions. Business News
Amsterdam home sales rise as average prices dip slightly: Recent real estate data shows an increase in housing listings and completed sales across Amsterdam alongside a small drop in average transaction prices. Analysts suggest the pricing trend may be brief. Business News
Founders use improv games to solve business problems: Entrepreneurs meet at Amsterdam Roest for interactive improv exercises designed to tackle real business challenges and spark casual networking. July 30, 18:30, Amsterdam Roest. 📅 Networking
Engineers discuss data migrations over drinks at Xomnia: Tech teams from Holland Casino and the public sector present real-world case studies on moving from legacy databases to modern analytics tools. July 30, 18:00, Xomnia HQ. 📅 Seminar / Talk
Startup Valley runs tech networking at IJdok: Entrepreneurs and AI professionals gather for structured feedback rounds and casual networking along the IJ waterfront. July 30, 18:00, IJdok 4. 📅 Networking
De Baarsjes nightclub Tillatec prepares for final closing weekend: Neighborhood venue Tillatec in De Baarsjes has announced its final weekend of operation. The upcoming events will mark the end of its run in the local nightlife scene. Venue / Space
Teeling Optiek collaborates with Ray-Ban on Kinkerstraat shop display: Independent optician Teeling Optiek on Kinkerstraat in Amsterdam West has partnered with Ray-Ban on a new retail setup. The collaboration focuses on creative and cultural design elements inside the neighborhood store. Shop / Store
Mango sticky rice ice cream pop-up opens in Amsterdam West: A new food pop-up has arrived in Amsterdam West, serving frozen desserts inspired by classic Thai flavors. The menu focuses on mango sticky rice transformed into ice cream. Bar / Café
The Jollof Club: Chef Nicolas Aquaa's modern West African restaurant has landed at Prinsengracht 955 for the coming months: dishes inspired by Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal, with cocktails and a strong wine list. Bar / Café
Cafe Publiek: All-day neighborhood cafe on Dapperplein (in the former Local Dealer spot) for lunch, drinks and dinner, with a large terrace and a warm vintage interior. Currently open Friday through Sunday. Restaurant
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: X-Men '97 S2 (Disney+), The Bombing of Pan Am 103 S1 (Netflix), Cape Fear S1 (Apple TV+), The Killings at Parrish Station S1 (HBO Max) 🎬📺
New on the big screen: De Legendariërs opens Wednesday at 5 cinemas, One Night Only at pathe-amsterdam-noord-amsterdam and pathe-arena-amsterdam, and Bottoms returns Wednesday to lab111-amsterdam. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: A left-turn confusion at a cycle crossing drew practical route suggestions, with the main thread consensus being: cross straight first, then reposition into the left-running bike lane about 50 metres on.
Today’s supermarket deals: Biodermal Hydraplus sun spray SPF50 (2 for €39.99) from Albert Heijn, Optimel protein or fibre drinks (50% off) from Jumbo.
Did you know? For Amsterdam Empire, Famke Janssen’s fictional ex-pop-diva character even got a real recorded song, “Forever Pour Toujours.”
376 years ago today: On July 30th, 1650, Stadholder Willem II tried to surprise Amsterdam with a military move, but the city was not caught off guard.
Adoptable pet of the day: Meet Buddy, a 14-year-old European Shorthair at Dierenopvang Amsterdam. Take a look →Stay cool today, and enjoy your Thursday.
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