Essentially Amsterdam
Tuesday August 4, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. A heat alert is in place as temperatures hit 33 degrees today, a giant parakeet sculpture has appeared along the IJ waterfront, and the Ashton Brothers mark 25 years at De Parade.
At a glance
🌧️ Weather: Hi 34°C / 93°F (1° warmer than yesterday) · Lo 23°C / 73°F · 65% chance of rain · wind SW 36 km/h (19 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Good cycling until 17:00; rain likely after that.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 06:05 · Sunset 21:26 · Waning Gibbous · Moonrise 23:02 · Golden hour 20:56–21:26
🌊 Outdoors: Water 23°C / 73°F (swimmable) · Air quality: fair (AQI 32)
💶 Markets: AEX 1,102 (+0.9%) · S&P 500 7,601 (+2.5%) · €1 = $1.15 · $1 = €0.87
🏆 Dutch sport: In diving, Netherlands' Else Praasterink secured European Championship bronze in the 10m platform event, while Marloes Steenbeek finished fifth in the artistic swimming solo free final.
News
National Heat Plan triggers code yellow warning: Highs of 32°C are expected today in Amsterdam before slightly lower temperatures arrive mid-week. Health officials advise residents to stay hydrated and keep out of direct afternoon sunlight.
Damaged overhead cable stops Schiphol train service: Trains between Amsterdam Central and Schiphol Airport are currently fully stopped because of damaged power lines. Travelers heading to the airport should expect delays and seek alternative transport.
Huge parakeet sculpture installed along the IJ waterfront: A seven-meter-tall colorful sculpture of a rose-ringed parakeet has been set up on the IJ waterfront. The artwork highlights the wild parakeet population that lives throughout the city.
PostNL expands locker network for parcel drop-offs: PostNL is shifting more package deliveries toward automated locker walls across the Netherlands. The move aims to offset lower traditional home delivery volumes.
New EU rules require post-warranty appliance repairs: Under new European legislation, manufacturers in the Netherlands must offer repair options for home electronics after standard warranties expire. The rule is designed to reduce electronic waste.
Family / Children
Outdoor listening adventure opens for kids at Jeugdland: Children aged seven and older can explore an outdoor listening and viewing trail in East Amsterdam. August 4 – October 10, 2026, 10:00 - 18:00, Jeugdland. 📅 Outdoor / Active
Rijksmuseum hosts a Toy Story drawing corner for kids: Toy Story Studio: Children can drop into the museum's drawing corner to learn how characters like Woody and Buzz Lightyear were designed and animated. August 4 at the Rijksmuseum. Kids Workshop
Kids can fish for plastic in the canals with Het Scheepvaartmuseum: Plastic Fishing for Kids: Children can board a Plastic Whale boat to help clean the canals around the museum while learning about waste reduction. August 4 at Het Scheepvaartmuseum, departures at 12:00, 13:15, and 14:30. Outdoor / Active
Music
R&B group Change plays live at Paradiso: Post-disco and R&B act Change brings their classic tracks to the stage for a single live show. August 4, 2026, 20:30, Paradiso. 📅
Broken By The Scream plays Bitterzoet: Japanese metal-idol group Broken By The Scream brings their mix of heavy metal vocals and J-pop melodies to Amsterdam. August 4, 20:30, Bitterzoet. 📅
WorldPride UNITY Concert takes place in Zuid: Dutch and international musical acts gather for an outdoor concert on Museumplein as part of the WorldPride celebrations. August 4, 20:00-23:59, Various locations in Amsterdam Zuid. 📅
Astrid Akse performs live at Theater Mascini: Dutch singer-songwriter Astrid Akse takes the stage for a small-scale, live musical performance. August 4, 20:30, Theater Mascini. 📅
Events: Watch
Ashton Brothers celebrate 25 years at De Parade: Physical comedy group Ashton Brothers returns to the traveling theater festival with a new show celebrating their 25th anniversary. August 4–9, 2026, Multiple times, De Parade. Theater
Vleddie & Dilly host pub quiz at De Parade: Test your trivia knowledge at this theatrical pub quiz set inside the traveling theater festival. August 4, 21:00 - 22:00, Theaterfestival de Parade. 📅 Comedy
Amy Spalding discusses modern romance at Rode Hoed: Bestselling author Amy Spalding leads an English-language talk about pop culture, modern romance, and her recent books. August 4, 19:30, Rode Hoed. 📅 Talks / Ideas
Mees van Rijswijk brings Explore The North to De Parade: This theatrical performance brings experimental northern stage art to the festival as part of the WorldPride lineup. August 4–9, Multiple times, De Parade. Theater
Het Ketelhuis hosts Roze Filmdagen screening of Leviticus: Roze Filmdagen presents a special film screening in West that connects with the local WorldPride program. August 4, 18:30 - 22:00, Het Ketelhuis. 📅 Film
Events: Do
Free Dutch language trial lesson offers level checks: The Amsterdam Language Cafe holds a trial Dutch class for beginners, alongside spoken skill assessments for intermediate or advanced learners. August 4, 2026, 19:00, Koentact, Amsterdam. 📅 Class
After-work boat drinks set sail on the canals: Board an informal canal cruise to meet new people and catch the sunset from the water. August 4, 18:00, Amsterdam Canals. 📅 Tour
Sketch and cake session comes to De Hallen: Artist Juliana Erazo leads a casual drawing gathering with cake at Bar Bario's pop-up space inside De Hallen. August 4, 18:00, De Hallen. 📅 Workshop
Flevopark hosts free open-air dance classes: An outdoor dance workshop in East invites people of all experience levels to get moving together in the park. August 4, 15:15 - 16:45, Parknest Flevopark. 📅 Class
Language school holds trial lesson in Oud-West: An open day offers beginners a free trial lesson using a practical, out-of-the-classroom teaching method, alongside level assessments for more experienced speakers. August 4, 18:45, ROC van Amsterdam, Da Costastraat 36. 📅 Class
Work / Business
Canadian firm seeks Dutch books from De Slegte for AI: Bookstore chain De Slegte confirmed an inquiry from a Canadian buyer looking to purchase hundreds of thousands of Dutch books. The volumes would be used to train AI models. Business News
Bol agrees to pricing and platform changes under ACM pressure: Major online retailer Bol committed to updating its platform policies following consumer authority oversight. The shifts aim to improve seller competition and clarify price displays. Business News
Dutch labor agreements increasingly support working past retirement age: Continuing to work beyond state pension age is becoming standard practice in Dutch collective labor agreements. Employers are shifting focus toward evaluating the ongoing skills and practical value older workers bring to the workplace. Business News
PostNL reports lower parcel volumes from Asian webshops: PostNL saw a drop in total delivery volumes during the first half of the year. The decline is driven by lower consumer spending and a noticeable reduction in orders coming from Asian online retailers. Business News
Consumers' Association warns buyers against online shop Mijnzorgwinkel.nl: The Dutch Consumers' Association is advising people not to order from care webshop Mijnzorgwinkel.nl. The warning follows dozens of unresolved complaints about poor customer service and orders that never arrived. Business News
Tech networking event meets in De Pijp: Local founders, startup employees, and business professionals meet for an informal evening mixer in De Pijp. August 4–11, 2026, 17:30, Brouwerij Troost De Pijp, Cornelis Troostplein 21. 📅 Networking
Openings & Closings
Vermut: A neighbourhood bar built around southern European aperitivo, with an Italian chef on the bruschetta and cocktails. Bar / Café
Bakkerij Wolf Zuidas: The sourdough bakery's fourth and largest Amsterdam location, open daily for bread, viennoiserie and pizza. Shop / Store
Bar Staal by Vooges: The Vooges family's next generation open from breakfast to late, with a waterside terrace and one menu served from noon. Bar / Café
Restaurant Motief: A vegetable-led modern European restaurant in the Van Gendt Hallen, led by a former De Kas chef with a Berlin Michelin-starred consultant. Restaurant
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: Silo S3 (Apple TV+), Special Ops: Lioness S3 (SkyShowtime), Futurama S14 (Disney+), Fantastic Mr. Fox (Prime Video) 🎬🍿
New on the big screen: C'était mieux demain opens Thursday at 3 cinemas, Beau Travail returns Saturday to De Uitkijk, and Black Narcissus returns Friday to De Uitkijk. Showtimes here.
Today’s supermarket deals:  Sun All-in-one dishwasher tablets (5 for €59.90) from Albert Heijn, Unox or Conimex soup (2 for €6.00) from Jumbo.
Did you know? The Gemaal Zeeburg pumping station, commissioned in 1879, flushes the canals with cleaner water to resolve centuries of stagnation and pollution.
93 years ago today: On August 4th, 1933, choreographer Rudi van Dantzig was born in Amsterdam-Noord.
Adoptable pet of the dayAdoptable pet of the day: Meet Catootje, an 8-year-old French bulldog at Dierenopvang Amsterdam. Take a look →
In tomorrow’s edition: Summer holiday activities at the National Maritime Museum, a makgeolli rice brewing workshop at The Miners Coffee in Oud-West, and MidzomerMokum summer events across Amsterdam-West.
Stay cool today and enjoy your Tuesday.
Essentially Amsterdam
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