A DAILY AMSTERDAM CITY BRIEFING

Good morning, Amsterdam. 🌡️ The heatwave is rolling back in just as Madness takes the stage at AFAS Live tonight, and the city is pushing back on illegal rents, plus there's a full week of ways to keep the kids cool and busy, from Plastic Fishing to a Science Lab on Pampus.

City Tackles Illegal Rents: Amsterdam is helping thousands of households check whether they’re paying too much rent.

Schiphol Passport Queues Grow: Non-EU travelers should expect longer waits at passport control this summer.

Heatwave Returns to the Netherlands: Temperatures are climbing past 30°C again, so Amsterdam should brace for a very hot week.

Flevoparkbad Gets a Green Reboot: Amsterdam’s beloved outdoor pool is set for a major renovation, modernizing the site while keeping its historic charm.

Rijksmuseum Gate Stands Tall: A sunken historic gate in the Rijksmuseum garden has been lifted back into perfect position.

Bridge 311 Reopens: After a year of detours, Bridge 311 is back in full glory for cyclists and walkers.

A10 Closure This Weekend: Roadworks near Nieuwe Meer will slow traffic, with delays expected across Amsterdam.

Data Center Boom Looms: Noord-Holland could add 25 data centers by 2035, as Amsterdam weighs digital growth against grid strain and scarce water.

Secondhand EVs Take Off: Used electric cars are flying off the lot as fuel prices rise, making the switch cheaper and more competitive.

iDEAL Out, Wero In: Dutch businesses have until 2027 to move from iDEAL to Wero, Europe’s new payment system.

Microcar Chaos on Bike Lanes: Many Amsterdam microcar drivers don’t know the rules, and some are illegally using bike paths.

New-Build Sales Keep Slipping: New-home sales fell again nationwide, adding more pressure to Amsterdam’s already brutal housing market.

Housing Co-ops Get Easier: Parliament has backed a bill that could make resident-led housing cooperatives simpler to launch.

Amsterdam UMC Landmark Falls: The iconic checkered cancer research building by the A10 is being demolished.

Driving Lessons Get Pricier: Getting a Dutch license now costs up to €3,300, putting more young people off the road.

Southbound Trains Back Today: Amsterdam travelers via Rotterdam should check NS as disruption is expected to end Tuesday.

Toy Story Drawing Fun for Kids: Kids 6+ can step into Woody and Buzz’s world with a playful drawing corner at the Rijksmuseum. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Kids’ Science Lab on Pampus: Spend a day on Forteiland Pampus with hands-on science and sustainability workshops for ages 6 to 12. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Free Kids Art All Summer: Drop in for free creative workshops for ages 6–12 every week at WG Kunst. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Build at the Houtwerf: Kids can learn, tinker, and make something real at this outdoor woodworking workshop. · KIDS WORKSHOP

K-Pop Camp for Young Movers: Kids and teens can dance, jump, and groove through three afternoons of K-pop fun at VROG. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Cookie Decorating for Kids: Little visitors can decorate summer cookies at the Jewish Cultural Quarter’s family-friendly workshop. · KIDS WORKSHOP

Storytime Adventure for Kids: Ton Meijer leads ages 5+ on a playful theatrical journey at OBA, free to enjoy. · FAMILY SHOW

Oosterkerk Flips for Kids: Families with kids 4+ can enjoy a playful morning of music and theater at Oosterkerk. · FAMILY SHOW

Plastic Fishing With Kids: Help clean Amsterdam’s canals with a hands-on plastic-fishing adventure at the Scheepvaartmuseum. · OUTDOOR / ACTIVE

Swim and Chill Near the City: Three sandy Groengebied Amstelland spots offer an easy family escape for summer splashing. · OUTDOOR / ACTIVE

Free Games for Kids in West: Kids 6+ can drop in for free sports, kickboxing, and games in De Baarsjes. · OUTDOOR / ACTIVE

Free Polder Sports for Kids: Kids aged 8 to 12 can jump into a free afternoon of Polder sports in West. · OUTDOOR / ACTIVE

Van Gogh Fun for Kids: The Van Gogh Museum is rolling out kid-friendly summer activities, making museum time genuinely fun for families. · MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL

Hortus Summer Bingo: Take the kids on a leafy treasure hunt through the Hortus Botanicus gardens. · MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL

Story Time Gets Silly: Kids 5+ can join a playful OBA reading session where every pose is fair game. · STORY / READING

Playhood Summer Camp: A weekday drop-off camp with creative fun and structure through mid-August.

Ajax Camp for Young Fans: Kids can train at Ajax’s real facilities this week at Sportcomplex de Toekomst, if spots are still open. · SPORTS / ACTIVE

Bruno Mars at the ArenA: Global pop star Bruno Mars brings a rare European show to Amsterdam, tickets are expected to vanish fast.

Dvořák Nights at the Concertgebouw: Kent Nagano leads a big classical program, with Mao Fujita opening on Beethoven before Dvořák’s majestic New World Symphony.

Madness Live at AFAS Tonight: Ska legends Madness play AFAS Live tonight, with a few comfort tickets still up for grabs.

Free Organ Lunch Breaks: Westerkerk serves up free Tuesday lunchtime organ concerts all summer, just wander in and listen.

Harp Sounds at Nieuwmarkt: Drop into Mozes en Aäronkerk for a free midday harp concert and a beautifully calm summer reset.

Hitklup’s Final Bow: Paradiso hosts one last best-of blast as De Hitklup wraps up 25 years of Dutch pop.

Frost Children Live: Catch the emo-electro sibling duo bringing their new album to Tolhuistuin.

Maurice Vincent Listening Session: Sink into an intimate album listen featuring guitar, jazz, and Brazilian textures at Murmur.

Rising Classical Talent at Oosterkerk: Amsterdam Conservatorium students perform in a beautiful historic church, with Duo Dufonte on stage tonight.

Jazz Night at Alto: The Fours bring intimate live jazz to one of Amsterdam’s most legendary little clubs.

Swampy Blues at Bourbon Street: Kaspar & the Swamp Dogs serve up raw, late-night blues with plenty of grit.

Astrid Akse Live and Intimate: Enjoy a cozy singer-songwriter set from Astrid Akse tonight at Theater Mascini.

Magical Nights at TOBACCO: Catch Nigel Otermans’ close-up magic show in Amsterdam center, nightly through July 18. · THEATER

Improv Night at Mezrab: Two comedians spin unscripted theater into a fast, funny night of surprises. · THEATER

Mengelmoes Lights Up De Pijp: This long-running arts festival brings evenings of theatre and performance to Cinetol. · THEATER

Blue Heron Plays Tonight: This intimate drama about childhood and family screens tonight at Theater de Omval for just a few euros. · THEATER

Boom Chicago All Summer: Amsterdam’s best-known English improv show keeps the laughs rolling through September. · COMEDY

Luke Null at Boom Chicago: Former SNL comic Luke Null brings musical stand-up to Boom Chicago for two sharp, song-filled nights. · COMEDY

AI Meets Improv Comedy: Boom Chicago skewers our algorithmic lives with sketches, songs, and an AI in the mix. · COMEDY

Club Insomnia at Scala: Thom Gerrits delivers sharp cabaret storytelling in Westerpark’s lively theater-bar setting. · COMEDY

Kor Hoebe Brings the Laughs: Catch Kor Hoebe’s summer cabaret run at DeLaMar, packed with sharp Dutch comedy through mid-September. · COMEDY

Mama Is Angry Takes the Stage: Esther van der Voort’s new cabaret dives into motherhood and frustration in a long DeLaMar run. · COMEDY

Films, Food, and Fun Tonight: Nieuwe Anita serves up a playful mix of film, food, music, and comedy from 7:30 PM. · COMEDY

Outdoor Movie Night Classic: Watch Edward Scissorhands under the stars at Pllek, with waterfront views and proper summer-night vibes. · FILM

Sci-Fi Classics Take Over LAB111: A multi-day festival of screenings and cult sci-fi vibes lands at LAB111, with Uitpas discounts available. · FILM

LAB111 Hosts Birdcage Fest: LAB111’s new film festival serves up The Birdcage and a playful LGBTQ+ cinema lineup. · FILM

Kino Pacific Returns: Pacific Amsterdam kicks off a stylish evening film series running all the way through winter. · FILM

Dreamers at EYE Tonight: Join Amsterdam’s film club for a Cineville screening and post-film discussion at EYE. · FILM

Barbarella Hits LAB111: Jane Fonda’s cult sci-fi classic returns to the big screen at LAB111 this July. · FILM

Showgirls Takes Over LAB111: Cult cinema energy lands at LAB111 with Showgirls screenings running through July 13. · FILM

Eighties Classics All Summer: De Filmhallen is serving up retro movie nights all summer with a full Eighties lineup. · FILM

Art, Jazz, and Friday Vibes: H'ART Museum mixes live music and visual art into a stylish weekly evening out. · ART / MUSEUMS

Ancient Glass, Still Shining: See 200+ surviving glass treasures and new research insights at Allard Pierson. · ART / MUSEUMS

Milly Scott Takes the Spotlight: Discover the forgotten Dutch jazz trailblazer in this free listening exhibition at Allard Pierson. · ART / MUSEUMS

Rietveld's Summer Garden Opens: Wander the academy's garden for art, fresh air, and student work all summer long. · ART / MUSEUMS

Pause for a New Exhibition: See embroidered memory pieces and a striking bench installation at Madé van Krimpen. · ART / MUSEUMS

Clean Air, Big Ideas: Explore how cities tackle pollution and why cleaner air matters for everyone. · ART / MUSEUMS

Last Week for Sphere in Motion: Free art exhibition Sphere in Motion is still on at Transnatural, but only until July 10. · ART / MUSEUMS

Drag History, Free to Explore: Discover Amsterdam’s drag heritage in a free Stadsarchief exhibition running until September 27. · ART / MUSEUMS

Bold Colors at Gwen Park: See Tickled Pink, a bright new exhibition pairing Anna Aagaard Jensen with Yamuna Forzani. · ART / MUSEUMS

Summer Spritzes at GAPP: Free-entry evenings in Watergraafsmeer bring drinks, long nights, and relaxed outdoor hangs. · FOOD / MARKETS

A Summer Chef's Evening: Book a special dinner series at Het Rijk van de Keizer, with sittings all summer. · FOOD / MARKETS

Summer BBQ Meets Bouldering: Monk’s free weekly hangout pairs BBQ, live music, and patio vibes all summer long. · FOOD / MARKETS

Amstelveen’s Friday Market Lives On: Stock up on fresh produce and market finds every Friday at Stadshart Amstelveen. · FOOD / MARKETS

Stories Over a Shared Table: Join a communal dinner where strangers meet, eat, and trade stories over one table. · FOOD / MARKETS

Fresh Finds at the Farmers’ Market: Browse local produce and sustainable goods every Tuesday at Stadshart Amstelveen. · FOOD / MARKETS

Can AI Really Understand?: A UvA talk digs into whether language models understand meaning or just crunch patterns extremely well. · TALKS / IDEAS

Myths From Every Corner of Earth: Mezrab serves up an intimate night of ancient stories and global legends in English. · TALKS / IDEAS

Lunchtime Talks at Vrije Academie: Pop into Herengracht for today’s lunch lecture and a fresh dose of ideas, history, or culture. · TALKS / IDEAS

World Cup on the Big Screen: Catch every match at De Foodhallen with food, crowds, and wall-to-wall football through July 19. · SPORTS (SPECTATOR)

Julidans at Bijlmer: Two powerful contemporary dance works light up Bijlmer Parktheater for two nights. · DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Bold Belgian Dance Hits Brakke Grond: Voetvolk brings a fierce, physical dance-theater performance to the city center. · DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Dance On, Up Close: A thoughtful studio-style evening of contemporary dance at ITA for true movement fans. · DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Anthology Ends Today: Catch the final performances of Anthology, a modern dance program at Theater Bellevue. · DANCE / PERFORMANCE

Jazz History, On the Move: Join a free drop-in tour through Amsterdam's jazz archives and stories at De Bazel. · WALKS / TOURS

Stitch Your Own Wardrobe: Join a Tuesday sewing course and learn to make clothes from pattern to finished piece, materials included. · WORKSHOP

Pick Summer Flowers: Make your own bouquet at Pluktuin Amstelveen with a hands-on floral workshop. · WORKSHOP

Cook Your Way Through Southeast Asia: Hands-on workshop exploring Thai, Vietnamese, and Cambodian flavors at Club Cuisine. · WORKSHOP

Tuesday Art Studio Sessions: Join a relaxed weekly drawing and painting class in Oudeschans and create at your own pace. · WORKSHOP

Free Book Repair Sundays: Learn papermaking and book repair every Sunday in Westerpark, free through late November. · WORKSHOP

Print, Play, Repeat Tonight: Drop into Drukclub in Noord for a relaxed evening of hands-on printmaking. · WORKSHOP

West Side Summer Camp: Move, write, and speak your truth in this one-day dance and spoken word workshop. · WORKSHOP

Write Morning Stories Together: Older Amsterdammers can join a gentle, social writing workshop at OBA this morning. · WORKSHOP

Dutch Dinner and Language Café: Practice Dutch over a community dinner at De Sering, or join as a conversation partner for a free meal. · CLASS

Dance Your Mornings: Julidans brings participatory morning dance sessions to ITA all week long. · CLASS

Yoga in the Palm House: Unroll your mat in Hortus' tropical Palm House for a seriously atmospheric session. · CLASS

Sail to Vuurtoreneiland: Set off from Lloydplein for a guided boat trip to the island most Amsterdammers never visit. · TOUR

Discover Amsterdam on Foot: Join a free two-hour walking tour from Dam Square and uncover local spots and city stories. · TOUR

Estate Tours in Bloom: Explore Hartekamp's history, gardens, and architecture on these free guided tours. · TOUR

A Year of Singer Laren Tours: Explore the estate and art collection on guided tours running through next summer. · TOUR

Tree Tours in 's-Graveland: Discover standout trees on historic estates with this nature-filled guided excursion series. · TOUR

Bounce Into Chaos: Trampoline dodgeball at VROG is gloriously chaotic, social, and a perfect Tuesday-night workout near Waterlooplein. · SPORTS (ACTIVE)

Free Sunday Yoga by the Water: Stretch outdoors at Gaasperplas with free weekly classes for every level all July. · SPORTS (ACTIVE)

Learn to Swim, Amsterdam Style: Small-group adult lessons for expats at Zuiderbad, build confidence in the water fast. · SPORTS (ACTIVE)

Free Bouldering in West: Try bouldering for free at Cremerplein today, no gear or experience needed. · SPORTS (ACTIVE)

Board Games and New Friends: Join a welcoming Tuesday board game night where solo players are quickly folded into the fun. · GAMES / HOBBIES

Pool Night in De Pijp: Swing by O'Donnell’s for a relaxed Tuesday of pool, chat, and easygoing company. · GAMES / HOBBIES

Campfire Karaoke Fridays: Sing by the fire every Friday night at Camping Zeeburg, free, laid-back, and summer-ready.

Queer Hangout Weekly: A relaxed drop-in space to connect with the LGBTQ+ community at QueerHub. · SOCIAL ACTIVITY

Perl Coders Meet Up Tonight: Amsterdam’s Perl community gathers for a free, friendly evening of code talk and networking. · NETWORKING

AI Meets Creativity: Hear creatives share how AI is reshaping personal and professional work at Boom Chicago.

In tomorrow’s edition: Reggie Watts takes over Boom Chicago, Stravinsky rattles the Concertgebouw with Gautier Capuçon, and Julidans brings international dance to the city.

Stay hydrated, find some shade, and we'll see you tomorrow.