Essentially Amsterdam
Wednesday July 29, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: temperatures could reach 35°C, Thievery Corporation plays Paradiso tonight, and an open-air film festival begins at Mercatorplein.
At a glance
☀️ Weather: Hi 31°C / 88°F · Lo 19°C / 66°F · 0% chance of rain · wind SW 13 km/h (7 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Great cycling weather all day.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 05:56 · Sunset 21:37 · Full Moon · Moonrise 21:50 · Golden hour 21:07–21:37
🌊 Outdoors: Water 21°C / 70°F (swimmable) · Air quality: fair (AQI 21) · grass pollen moderate
💶 Markets: AEX 1,093 (-0.8%) · S&P 500 7,429 (-1.1%) · €1 = $1.14 · $1 = €0.88
🏆 Dutch sport: In football, PSV won their final preseason friendly before the Johan Cruijff Schaal with Stijn Schaars at the helm.
News
Temperatures set to reach 35°C in Amsterdam: A sunny stretch is bringing high heat across the city today and tomorrow. Temperatures in Amsterdam could reach 35°C, so stay hydrated and keep out of the direct sun during peak hours.
City sets strict rules for Canal Parade safety: Amsterdam has outlined guidelines for spectators along the canal routes ahead of Saturday's parade. Regulations cover boat permits and enforce a strict ban on glass bottles to keep the event safe.
ING projects record Dutch home sales this year: A new forecast by ING expects home transactions in the Netherlands to reach roughly 245,000 this year. High buyer demand continues to drive strong market activity across the country.
Sunny weather expected for Saturday's Canal Parade: Early weather forecasts from the KNMI point to warm conditions for Saturday's Canal Parade in Amsterdam. Temperatures should reach around 25°C with plenty of sun and almost no chance of rain.
JetBlue suspends winter flights between Amsterdam and Boston: JetBlue is pausing its daily service between Schiphol and Boston starting this November for the winter season. The airline plans to return to the route for summer 2027.
Schiphol security strike looms as negotiations stall: Unions FNV and CNV have ended talks with Schiphol over working conditions for security staff. With no agreement reached, union representatives are preparing for potential strikes at the airport.
Family / Children
Kids art workshops run at B! Music School: Children ages 8 to 12 can join hands-on summer art workshops hosted by the Amsterdam Museum. It is a simple way to keep kids creative during the school break. July 29, 13:00 - 16:00, B! Music School. 📅 Kids Workshop
Water fun days arrive in Southeast: Children can cool off with an inflatable water obstacle course, pools, and water balloon fights. July 29, Amsterdam Southeast. 📅 Outdoor / Active
Anansi the Spider plays at open-air theater: This family-friendly performance brings West African and Caribbean folk tales to life on stage. July 29, 09:30, Het Amsterdamse Bostheater. 📅 Family Show
Toddler parents meet up at Papote Café: International families with young children can gather for a low-key social evening in West. July 29, 18:30, Papote Café, Vasco da Gamastraat 65. 📅
OBA hosts outdoor reading session at Terrasmus: The Amsterdam Public Library is holding an outdoor story session for young children in Erasmuspark. July 29, 2026, 11:00–12:00, Terrasmus, Erasmuspark. 📅 Story / Reading
Music
Concertgebouw hosts Musorgski and Rachmaninoff evening: The German Bundesjugendorchester plays Musorgski's Pictures at an Exhibition alongside pianist Giorgi Gigashvili. July 29, 8:00 PM, Het Concertgebouw.
Thievery Corporation performs live at Paradiso: The electronic duo brings their mix of downtempo, bossa nova, and world rhythms to the main hall. July 29, 19:30, Paradiso. 📅
Sam Bettens performs solo concert at Paradiso: K's Choice frontman Sam Bettens plays an intimate solo set in the main hall. July 29, 2026, 20:00, Paradiso. 📅
Pop-rock film and music event comes to Paradiso: Who the F*ck is Britt?! brings live music performances and a documentary film screening to Paradiso. The event runs through the afternoon and evening. July 29, 15:00 - 21:00, Paradiso. 📅
Durand Bernarr performs progressive R&B at Melkweg: R&B singer Durand Bernarr brings his live show to Amsterdam. Known for his work with Erykah Badu and Kaytranada, he plays a single night at the venue. July 29, 19:00, Melkweg. 📅
Events: Watch
Mercatorplein hosts open-air film festival: Mercatorplein turns into an outdoor cinema for two consecutive evenings in West. You can drop by to catch movies under the stars. July 29–30, 21:00, Mercatorplein, Amsterdam. 📅 Festivals
Jazz history and swing dance at Kompaszaal: This weekly Wednesday night combines jazz history film screenings with a Lindy Hop dance class. July 29, 20:30, Kompaszaal. 📅 Film
Free tour offered for World Press Photo: An expert guide leads a free walk through the visual journalism exhibition at Dam Square. July 29, 15:00, De Nieuwe Kerk. 📅 Art / Museums
Panama Pictures brings acrobatics to De Parade: Panama Pictures performs a mix of circus arts and contemporary dance using suspended stage structures. July 29, 2026, Multiple showtimes, De Parade, Martin Luther Kingpark. Dance / Performance
Interactive family monument artwork opens in Westerpark: A new interactive public artwork arrives in Westerpark. The large installation celebrates chosen families and invites visitors to connect and reflect. July 29, All day, Westerpark. Art / Museums
Events: Do
Expats welcome dinner features traditional Dutch bites: Newcomers in Amsterdam can meet up over local snacks to share practical tips and build a network. July 29, 18:30, De Hollandse Tulp. 📅 Tasting
Weekly Crealab offers open art workspace: You can bring your own craft projects like painting or knitting to this casual community space. July 29, 13:00, Dynamo Atelier 77. 📅 Workshop
Overnight camping offered on Pampus fortress island: You can camp on Fortisland Pampus after day visitors leave. Stays include a communal meal on Wednesdays and extra evening programming from Thursday to Saturday. July 29, Overnight, Forteiland Pampus, Muiden.
Sunset yoga session set for Amsterdamse Bos: Instructor Annalisa leads a peaceful evening yoga session in the park as the sun goes down. The class suits all experience levels, and participants should bring their own mat. July 29, 20:00, De Boswinkel, Amsterdamse Bos. 📅 Sports (Active)
English book club discusses Fundamentally on Singel: The Tea & Tears book club meets to discuss Nussaibah Younis's novel Fundamentally. It is an open, English-language gathering to talk about the book and meet fellow readers. July 29, 18:30, The Book Nook, Singel 82. 📅 Games / Hobbies
Work / Business
Philips beats expectations on second-quarter earnings: Health technology firm Philips posted slightly higher revenue than expected for the second quarter. The company raised its financial outlook, supported in part by a refund of US import duties. Business News
Low Rhine water levels push up river freight prices: Low water levels on the Rhine mean shipping lines must use multiple barges to transport cargo normally carried by one. The capacity limits have pushed European inland freight rates to record highs. Business News
Vinted shifts focus to US expansion over stock launch: Secondhand marketplace Vinted is prioritizing growth in the United States over a stock market listing. CEO Thomas Plantenga noted that establishing a firm presence in the US market is currently the company's main goal. Business News
Dutch chip tech stocks fall after reports from China: Shares in Dutch technology companies ASML, Besi, and ASMI dropped sharply on Euronext Amsterdam on Monday. The decline follows reports that Chinese firms are making progress in producing advanced chip manufacturing equipment independently.
Falling oil prices may lower Dutch gas station costs: Global crude oil prices fell sharply on Monday, with Brent crude dipping just above 81 euros. The drop could bring lower prices to gas pumps across the Netherlands in the coming days.
Union Investment acquires 281 apartments in Nieuw-West: Institutional investor Union Investment has purchased a residential package of 281 new apartments in Amsterdam Nieuw-West. The deal expands the firm's real estate portfolio in the western part of the city.
Openings & Closings
Meatless District closes after ten years in Oud-West: Vegan restaurant Meatless District on Bilderdijkstraat in Oud-West is closing permanently after a decade in business. The venue was among the early wave of plant-based dining spots in the neighborhood. Restaurant
Bonburger Noord: The favorite burger spot from West now also serves its burgers in Noord, in an old garage turned restaurant with a real Bushwick vibe. Restaurant
Zuiver Bar and Nai Sake Bar: Two bars alternating weekly at De Ruyterkade 143: Zuiver Bar (wine, from the Choux team with Zuiver Wijnen, Wednesday-Friday) and Nai!! Sake Bar (sake, Saturday-Monday). Bar / Café
Monne: Mediterranean restaurant in the De Mirandapaviljoen on the Amstel (formerly Amstel Boathouse): seasonal dishes, a spacious waterside terrace and its own jetty for boats. Restaurant
Cafe de Vos: A new establishment on Bilderdijkstraat that feels like it has been there for years: classic brown-pub atmosphere with a sunny terrace, pool table, lunch and daily specials. Bar / Café
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Disney+), Sing Sing (Prime Video), Trying S5 (Apple TV+), President Curtis (HBO Max) 🎬
New on the big screen: Below the Clouds opens Thursday at filmhuis-griffioen-amstelveen, Brokeback Mountain returns Tuesday to studio-k-amsterdam, and De Gaulle: Résistance opens Saturday at cinecenter-amsterdam. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: Someone venting about four years of construction noise waking them every morning got little sympathy from commenters, most of whom said their neighbourhoods are quite quiet and called it an unreasonable generalisation.
Today’s supermarket deals:  Biodermal sun gel-cream SPF50+ (2 for €44.99) from Albert Heijn, red pepper or courgette (2 for €0.99) from Jumbo.
Did you know? In 1975, a man slashed The Night Watch with a bread knife, leaving deep cuts that conservators had to repair like surgeons.
60 years ago today: On July 29th, 1966, annexation plans affecting Weesperkarspel and Driemond became a done deal, reshaping Amsterdam’s outer edge.
Adoptable pet of the dayAdoptable pet of the day: Meet Diesel, a 1-year-old Dachshund at Dierenopvang Amsterdam. Take a look →
Stay cool today and enjoy your Wednesday.
Essentially Amsterdam
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In tomorrow’s edition: The Netherlands Youth Orchestra plays Rachmaninoff and Berlioz, De Parade brings its theater tents and terraces for another night, and a summer theater tour stages Love with a Hidden Lie.

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