☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Tuesday, July 14: Goudstikker painting found in trash, Tuschinski ceiling restored, Yebba at Paradiso tonight

Tuesday July 14, 2026

Good morning, Amsterdam. A Goudstikker painting turned up in the trash, the Tuschinski ceiling has its original patterns again, and tonight Yebba plays Paradiso, plus a full slate of summer things to do with kids.

Goudstikker painting found in trash: A local resident picked up a painting from a bulk trash pile at Prinsengracht and Reguliersgracht years ago, thinking it might be worth checking. It has now been identified as a lost work from the looted Jacques Goudstikker collection in Amsterdam.

Tuschinski ceiling gets its patterns back: The main hall at Pathé Tuschinski is being updated with new seating and LED lighting, while restorers repaint the original art deco ceiling patterns from the cinema’s 1921 opening. The work is based on historical designs, so the old hall look is coming back in a careful way.

Heat and storms expected this week: Amsterdam is set for tropical temperatures over the next few days, so it’ll be a warm week by local standards. Thunderstorms are also expected toward the end of the week, so it may be worth keeping an eye on the forecast.

2030 emission-free car zone dropped: Amsterdam has shelved its plan for a zero-emission zone for petrol and diesel passenger cars by 2030. City Alderperson Dirk-Jan Heinhuis said the timeline no longer works without national legislation backing the ban.

The Seven Countries Houses on Roemer Visscherstraat: The Zevenlandenhuizen on Roemer Visscherstraat are a set of seven houses, each styled after a different European country. They’re in the Vondelparkbuurt, and it’s an unusual stretch of architecture to pass if you’re nearby.

Housing scams hit international students: A new report looks at how newly arriving international students in the Netherlands are being targeted by rental scams and pushed into poor housing conditions. The Amsterdam housing market is part of that wider pressure.

Summer bootcamp for young builders: Kids aged 8 to 12 will spend five days designing, building, and programming robots with LEGO robotics kits. The program is bilingual in English and Dutch, with discounts for Stadspas holders. July 13–17, 10:00 - 14:00, OBA Oosterdok 📅 Kids Workshop

Free laser tag for kids: West Beweegt is hosting a free laser tag session for children aged 8 to 12, with an outdoor, active format that should keep them moving and meeting others in the neighborhood. July 14, 12:00 - 15:30, Blue Tower Hotel, Amsterdam 📅 Outdoor / Active

Water party for kids at Oosterdok: This summer camp session focuses on water play and active games for kids aged 8 and up near Amsterdam Central. It’s a straightforward outdoor activity for a warm day. July 14, 13:00, OBA Oosterdok 📅 Outdoor / Active

Story adventure for kids at OBA: This interactive storytelling show brings tales to life for children aged 5 and up. It’s a theatrical program rather than a quiet read-aloud. July 14, 11:00, OBA 📅 Family Show

Bake Judy Chicago cookies at JCK: Kids can bake cookies inspired by Judy Chicago’s art at the Jewish Cultural Quarter. It’s a hands-on workshop that mixes food with a simple introduction to contemporary art. July 14, Joods Cultureel Kwartier 📅 Kids Workshop

Mahler and Mozart at the Concertgebouw: Principal conductor Tung-Chieh Chuang leads the Bochumer Symphoniker in Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, with Mozart’s Piano Concert No. 17 and pianist Ronald Brautigam on the program. July 14, 20:00, Het Concertgebouw 📅

Yebba plays Paradiso tonight: Grammy-winning singer Yebba brings her soul set to Paradiso Main Hall, with doors at 19:00 and the show at 20:30. The Amsterdam date is sold out but there’s a waiting list. July 14, Doors 19:00, show 20:30, Paradiso Main Hall

Mississippi River Brass Band in Vondelpark: The Mississippi River Brass Band plays an open-air set at the Vondelpark Openluchttheater tonight. It’s a live performance in the park, so weather will matter. July 14, 20:00, Vondelpark Openluchttheater 📅

Big-band jazz at ZOJazz Stage: Curtis Wilson Alumni Big Band plays alongside the Amsterdam UMC Big Band in a double bill at ZOJazz Stage. It’s an evening of live big-band jazz. July 14, 20:00, ZOJazz Stage 📅

The Fours play Jazz Cafe Alto: The Fours play an evening set at Jazz Cafe Alto on Leidseplein. The room is small, and the setting usually makes for an intimate night of live jazz. July 14, 21:30, Jazz Cafe Alto 📅

The Terminator screens at Pllek: James Cameron’s 1984 sci-fi film screens outdoors at Pllek on the IJ waterfront as part of the Films With A View summer series. July 14, 22:20, Pllek 📅 Film

France and Spain on the megascreen: WestWeelde at Westergas is showing the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain on a large outdoor screen. July 14, 19:30, WestWeelde, Westergas 📅 Sports (Spectator)

Disclosure Day at LAB111: This film festival brings multiple screenings to LAB111 in Oud-West. The program runs with various times across the day. July 14, Various times, LAB111 (Oudwest) Film

Arthouse screening of All We Imagine as Light: This group screening at The Movies is for people who want to watch All We Imagine as Light together and then stay for drinks afterward. It’s a straightforward cinema meetup. July 14, 18:00, The Movies 📅 Film

French national day meetup at Coco's: People are gathering at Coco's Outback to mark Bastille Day and watch France in the football semifinals. It’s aimed at the local French expat community. July 14, 21:00, Coco's Outback 📅 Sports (Spectator)

Board games in 2 Klaveren basement: Comrades & Co host an evening of board games, social deduction, and pancakes in the basement of 2 Klaveren. Solo arrivals are welcome, and newcomers are meant to get pulled into a game quickly. July 14, 18:45, 2 Klaveren, De Clercqstraat 136 📅 Games / Hobbies

Language exchange at Marina I-Dock: This meetup brings expats and locals together for a low-key language exchange over drinks. You get a sticker with your name, the languages you speak, and what you want to practice, then mingle with people speaking English, Dutch, and others. July 14, 18:30, Marina I-Dock, IJdok 4 📅

Sketch and cake at Mediamatic: Artist Juliana Erazo leads an evening of sketching, drawing, and cake eating in a waterside setting. It’s set up for both beginners and more experienced sketchers. July 14, 18:00, Mediamatic 📅 Workshop

Discuss Wallen restaurant rules: Residents, business owners, and building owners are invited to a co-design session on hospitality rules in the Wallen. The meeting is set up to gather proposals on how restaurant and bar rules there should work. July 14, 10:00–12:00, Café 'Skek 📅

Van Gogh workshop looks to Japan: This painting and sketching workshop looks at the influence of Japanese art on Vincent van Gogh. It’s a hands-on way to explore one part of his visual language. July 14, 11:00–13:00, Post Oost 📅 Workshop

Founders meetup comes to Amsterdam: BERLIndians x Amsterdam is a casual networking meetup for startup founders, operators, and investors, with no pitching required. It’s open to everyone. July 14, 16:00, Amsterdam 📅 Networking

Pitch ideas at Side Quest Bar: This networking evening includes five live pitches, themed tables, and three hours of conversation with founders and entrepreneurs. If you’re developing an idea, it gives you a structured room to talk it through with people who have built businesses. July 14, 18:00, Side Quest Bar, Ceintuurbaan 📅 Pitch / Demo

Vita Lente opens in Amsterdam: Vita Lente is a new café-bar in Amsterdam, with a name that points to a slower, Italian-influenced feel. It adds another place in the city for drinks and a relaxed stop-in. Amsterdam Bar / Café

New bottleshop opens in Oost: A dedicated bottleshop has opened in Amsterdam Oost for wine, beer, or spirits. It gives locals another place to buy drinks close to home. Amsterdam Oost Shop / Store

Bon Burger Bar opens in Amsterdam: Bon Burger Bar is a new burger spot in Amsterdam. It looks set up as a casual bar-restaurant for people wanting a straightforward burger meal. Amsterdam Restaurant

24 uur Nieuw-West: The June 20th edition of "24 uur" focused on Amsterdam's largest neighborhood, Nieuw-West, highlighting a variety of new local openings and hidden gems. Restaurant