Monday August 31, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: houseboat owners near a popular swimming jetty agree to move, private swimming pools surge across affluent neighbourhoods, and a Nieuw-West pianist prepares for a Concertgebouw debut.
At a glance
🌦️ Weather: Hi 19°C / 67°F (2° cooler than yesterday) · Lo 16°C / 61°F · 78% chance of rain · wind SW 26 km/h (14 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Wet from early morning, take the tram.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 06:49 · Sunset 20:30 · Waning Gibbous · Moonrise 21:10 · Golden hour 20:00 to 20:30
🌊 Outdoors: Air quality good (AQI 20) · grass pollen low
💶 Markets: AEX 1,112 (+0.8%) · S&P 500 7,712 (-0.2%) · €1 = $1.16 · $1 = €0.86
Houseboat owners near swimming jetty agree to move: Years of legal disputes over noise from a popular Eastern Docklands swimming dock have peaked. The neighbouring houseboat owners have agreed to relocate to the Javakade.
August ranks as eighth warmest on Dutch record: Temperatures reached 20 degrees or higher on almost every day of the month. The dry conditions also contributed to lighter crop yields across the country.
Why busy Elandsgracht junction will not get traffic lights: The intersection with Marnixstraat records the highest number of bicycle accidents in the city. Officials say traffic lights would cause major congestion and risk creating a false sense of safety.
Private swimming pools surge across affluent Amsterdam neighbourhoods: Permit applications for basement and garden pools have climbed steadily since 2020. Most installations are concentrated in already wealthy districts like Oud-Zuid.
Older homeowners in Amsterdam sell less often: New land registry figures show over-65s account for a small share of city property sales despite owning nearly a fifth of homes. When they do sell, buyers are frequently seniors too.
Nieuw-West pianist set for Concertgebouw performance: Pianist and composer Umut Demirtaş will perform at the Concertgebouw and the H'ART Museum this September. His musical journey began practicing in a local community centre.
Alkmaar night train will run through 2027: The municipality of Alkmaar is extending its trial night connection to and from Amsterdam for another year. A final decision on a permanent service will follow in 2027.
Tenant secures steep rent cut and defeats eviction: A landlord failed to evict a tenant after the rent tribunal slashed monthly rent by 65%. The court ruled that the lower rate stands and dismissed claims over home working.
Swapfiets cuts annual losses as revenue rises: The bicycle subscription service reduced its net loss to €7 million in 2025 as total turnover grew. Majority owner Pon will provide additional funding to secure liquidity for the coming year.
Follow Pim and Pom on an audio tour through the Rijksmuseum: Young children follow the two cartoon cats past paintings with games and stories tailored for ages three to six. 31 August, 9:00 - 17:00, Rijksmuseum. MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL
Families hunt for garden flora during Hortus seasonal bingo: Pick up a bilingual checklist at the desk and search the grounds for hairy leaves, thorns, and bright petals. 31 August, Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam. GAMES / HOBBIES
Kids explore lakeside wildlife on the Bergse Beestenpad trail: A flat two-kilometre walking route around the water where children solve tasks with activity bags and magnifying pots. 31 August, 10:00, Het Spieghelhuys en Het Pannenkoekenhuys. OUTDOOR / ACTIVE
Children trace historic clues inside the Oude Kerk: Families solve short tasks throughout the old church while following an illustrated tale about a lost dog named Flip. 31 August, Oude Kerk. MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL
Children learn digital fabrication at OBA Reigersbos: Young makers experiment with digital tools and design projects inside the library's dedicated fabrication lab. 31 August, 14:30, OBA Reigersbos - Maakplaats. KIDS WORKSHOP
Russian language storytelling session at OBA Roelof Hartplein: Children sit together in the youth corner for an afternoon of spoken tales read aloud in Russian. 31 August, 15:30, OBA Roelof Hartplein - Jeugdhoek Jip en Janneke. STORY / READING
Jaap van Zweden leads Beethoven's Ninth at The Concertgebouw: The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Prague Philharmonic Choir join international vocal soloists in the main hall. 31 August, 20:00 - 22:00, The Concertgebouw. FESTIVALS
Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli perform live at Paradiso: The veteran hip-hop duo reunites on the main stage to draw tracks across their two collaborative studio albums. 31 August, 19:00, Paradiso. FESTIVALS
Accordion and tabla unite for cross-cultural music at Splendor: Romanian folk traditions meet South Indian percussion and free improvisation in an intimate four-piece acoustic set. 31 August, 20:00, Splendor. FESTIVALS
Scottish singer Jacob Alon performs folk songs at 't Zonnehuis: The Fife songwriter brings delicate acoustic tracks from a debut record to the Tuindorp concert hall. 31 August, 20:30, 't Zonnehuis. FESTIVALS
Ryan Davis and the Roadhouse Band play Bitterzoet: The Indiana songwriter brings gritty storytelling and noir-tinged roots rock to the intimate Spuistraat club. 31 August, 20:30, Bitterzoet. FESTIVALS
Melbourne quartet The Belair Lip Bombs play Paradiso: Fronted by Maisie Everett, the Australian indie rock four-piece plays melodic guitar tracks from their latest tour. 31 August, 19:30, Paradiso. FESTIVALS
Six local bands compete in the Amsterdamse Popprijs at Cinetol: Emerging acts across multiple genres play short sets for judges in the preliminary round of the city competition. 31 August, 19:00, Cinetol. FESTIVALS
The Rabbits large ensemble performs at De Roode Bioscoop: A full jazz ensemble sets up in the intimate theatre room for an acoustic evening set. 31 August, 20:00, De Roode Bioscoop. THEATER
Professionals vent about Dutch office culture at Hatch: Expats and corporate workers gather to share frank stories and drop anonymous complaints into the open room. 31 August, 19:00, Hatch - Experiential Interventions. TALKS / IDEAS
Photographer Ed van der Elsken's archive opens at Rijksmuseum: Marked contact sheets, private notes, and raw darkroom trials reveal the working life behind his iconic city shots. 31 August, Rijksmuseum. ART / MUSEUMS
Film screening and craft evening at De Nieuwe Anita: Bring your knitting or embroidery along for a relaxed craft session paired with a movie screening. 31 August, 20:30, De Nieuwe Anita. FILM
Watch the 4K restoration of Trainspotting at Eye Filmmuseum: Danny Boyle's kinetic 1996 Scottish classic returns to the big screen in a sharp new high-definition remaster. 31 August, 20:45, Eye Filmmuseum. FILM
Classic horror The Exorcist screens in 4K at LAB111: William Friedkin's supernatural 1973 thriller returns to the cinema screen in a fresh high-resolution restoration. 31 August, LAB111. FILM
Sculptor Lynne Leegte discusses her studio work at Arti et Amicitiae: The Dutch artist chats with Renée Hartog about blending classical sculpture, photographic staging, and spatial installations. 31 August, 17.00 - 18.00 uur, Arti et Amicitiae. TALKS / IDEAS
Philosophical dialogue on belonging and home at Woonwerkpand Tetterode: A quiet evening circle led by a local philosopher to unpack personal journeys and what makes a home. 31 August, 19:00 - 21:00, Woonwerkpand Tetterode. TALKS / IDEAS
Watch the live taping of talkshow Eva at De Hallen: Take a seat in the studio audience before cameras roll for the evening television interview broadcast. 31 August, 19:00 - 19:55, De Hallen Studio's. TALKS / IDEAS
University of Amsterdam opens the academic year at the Aula: Official rector handover speeches, future campus strategy updates, and live gospel music mark the new term. 31 August, 14:45 - 16:45, Aula - Oude Lutherse kerk. TALKS / IDEAS
Eat a pay-what-you-can dinner at Het Machinegebouw: Volunteers serve a three-course community dinner from rescued food, welcoming trades of cash or an hour of help. 31 August, 17:00 - 20:00, Het Machinegebouw. RESTAURANT
Practice Dutch conversation at OBA Olympisch Kwartier: Small tables gather in the reading room to practise everyday spoken Dutch over informal afternoon conversation. 31 August, 13:00, OBA Olympisch Kwartier - Leeszaal. CLASS
Drop in for creative crafting and tea at Buurtsalon Jeltje: Local neighbours meet over simple painting, colouring, and quiet conversation designed to support everyday wellbeing. 31 August, 10:00 - 12:00, Buurtsalon Jeltje, Amsterdam. WORKSHOP
Beginners learn Cuban salsa outdoors at De Ceuvel: Rosie and Ernst teach foundational steps and basic footwork under the terrace tent beside the water. 31 August, 19:30, De Ceuvel. CLASS
Start a beginners bridge course at Podium Genieten: A twelve-week evening programme teaching the fundamentals of bidding and card play to absolute newcomers. 31 August, 19:30, Podium Genieten. CLASS
Try physical acting and floor exercises at MidWest: No stage experience is needed for this free studio session exploring movement, theatre improvisation, and short writing. 31 August, 18:30 - 21:00, MidWest. WORKSHOP
Silent reading and social book chat at Het Eetbare Plantsoen: Put your phone away for an hour of quiet park reading, followed by an optional group book discussion. 31 August, 18:00, Het Eetbare Plantsoen. GAMES / HOBBIES
Vinyl bars and record shops expand in West: A new pool and listening bar is opening on Ten Katestraat this September. The launch reflects a wider cluster of vinyl cafes, bars and record stores across the borough.
De Reiger team reopens historic Van Beeren: The owners behind popular cafes in the Jordaan have revived a former neighbourhood greengrocer near Nieuwmarkt. The kitchen offers classic eetcafe dining with walk-in seating kept available each evening.
Wild game butcher opens shop in Oud-West: De Predetariër has opened a second Amsterdam location selling meat from wild animals culled for wildlife management. The store also plans to offer butchery and cooking courses.
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: Shrek (Netflix), Gang War: Oslo (HBO Max), Furious (Disney+), Babita Singh Reporting (Prime Video)
New on the big screen: Network returns Saturday to LAB111, and Pulp Fiction to Filmhallen. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: A thread about a tourist who failed to tap out on the train to Schiphol and faced a rejected transit penalty charge prompted replies advising either to simply ignore it as an untraceable tourist or to correct the trip online to avoid debt collection.
Today's supermarket deals: Magnum Mini pistachio (2e halve prijs) from Albert Heijn, All Jumbo's fresh pasta or pasta sauces (1+1 free) from Jumbo.
Did you know? Amsterdam Dance Event turns the city into a five-day electronic-music network, with more than 1,200 events across nearly 300 locations.
26 years ago today: On August 31st, 2000, Appelsap Fresh Music Festival had its first edition, starting as a free summer jam before growing into an Amsterdam hip-hop and R&B institution.
Adoptable pet of the day: Meet Luno, a 2-year-old Siberian husky at Dierenopvang Amsterdam. Take a look →In case you missed it
Our three most clicked-on items from yesterday’s newsletter.
In tomorrow’s edition: Kor Hoebe performs Kordaat at DeLaMar, and a 4K restoration of Les vacances de Monsieur Hulot screens at LAB111.
Have a great Monday
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