Thursday September 24, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: GoVolta launches ten-euro domestic train routes, West rallies to save threatened neighbourhood paddling pools, and Vivaldi's Four Seasons is performed by candlelight at the Waalse Kerk.
The activities listed below are just a curated sample of what’s going on in Amsterdam. Check out our completely redesigned events calendar here.
At a glance
🌦️ Weather: Hi 19°C / 66°F (2° cooler than yesterday) · Lo 15°C / 60°F · 2% chance of rain · wind NW 15 km/h (8 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Mostly fine, a shower is possible.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 07:29 · Sunset 19:34 · Waxing Gibbous · Moonrise 18:44 · Golden hour 19:04 to 19:34
🌊 Outdoors: Air quality fair (AQI 22) · grass pollen low
💶 Markets: AEX 1,108 (+0.5%) · S&P 500 7,706 (-0.8%) · €1 = $1.14 · $1 = €0.88
GoVolta opens Dutch domestic routes for €10: The budget operator will begin selling seats between Dutch stations on its cross-border services from Monday. The flat fare applies to domestic stops including Amsterdam, Hilversum, and Hengelo.
Zeeburgereiland point to become green recreation beach: A derelict strip on the eastern tip of Zeeburgereiland will transform into a public dune park with swimming water starting in 2027. The project forms part of a broader green belt planned around the neighbourhood.
Funda AI styling tool creates bizarre listings: A new automated virtual styling feature on housing portal Funda has produced distorted interior transformations. Generated designs include staircases leading nowhere and doors placed straight into neighbouring properties.
ABN Amro towers to become new Zuidas neighbourhood: Plans to transform the bank's former headquarters into a mixed district called Zudo are now open for public consultation. The site will feature housing, offices, and green spaces.
West fights to save threatened paddling pools: Two neighbourhood splash pools face closure because they lack legally required water purification systems. The district board plans to push the central city to fund upgrades.
Amsterdam resident builds app to dodge rain: A software developer created a tool that tracks rainfall along a full cycling route. The hobby project has already picked up about 8,500 regular users.
Tutankhamun’s tomb is coming to the Olympic Stadium: A heated pavilion on the stadium pitch will house an immersive Tutankhamun exhibition from 5 November until late February, with projection halls, replica treasures and two virtual reality sections.
De L’Europe keeps its place as the best hotel in the Benelux: The Amstel hotel retains three keys in Michelin’s 2026 guide, the only property in the Netherlands, Belgium or Luxembourg to hold the top grade. Just 155 hotels worldwide have three.
MamaSocial Brunch Amsterdam brings mothers together at Kanarie Club: English-language family home swapping discussion alongside a seated brunch, professional portraits, and on-site nannies in the play area. 24 September, 10:00 - 12:00, Kanarie Club. 📅 FESTIVAL / FAIR
Pregnancy and birth preparation Q&A at Maison Parentally: Clinical midwife Jaleesa Dorp talks through labour options, answering open and anonymous questions over snacks with partners. 24 September, 18:30 - 20:30, Maison Parentally. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP
Treasure maps and tech crafts for children at Maakplaats: Children combine art with simple technology to map out imaginary terrain and construct their own take-home treasures. 24 September, 14:30, OBA Molenwijk Maakplaats. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP
Youth hip-hop dance classes with Natha: Children learn basic hip-hop technique and movement routines in a fun, active after-school dance session. 24 September, 17:30, De kids van Amsterdam. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP
Planeet LEGO digital animation workshop at OBA Javaplein: Young builders assemble Lego scenes and use digital animation tools to bring their brick creations to life. 24 September, 15:15, OBA Javaplein Maakplaats. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP
Hands-on making and tinkering at Maakplaats Waterlandplein: A practical creative lab where young participants tackle craft and tech projects alongside library makerspace volunteers. 24 September, 15:00, OBA Waterlandplein - Maakplaats. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP
Vivaldi's Four Seasons played by string quartet under candlelight: A string quartet performs sixty minutes of classical music inside the illuminated art deco hall of Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski. 24 September, 18:30, Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski. 📅 CLASSICAL
Dissecting Schubert's Trout Quintet Unboxed: A live English breakdown of Schubert's composition comes with drinks and playing from the Marigold Piano Quartet. 24 September, 20:30 - 21:45, The Concertgebouw, Recital Hall. 📅 CLASSICAL
The Lemon Twigs bring vintage pop harmonies to Melkweg: Brothers Brian and Michael D'Addario run through material from their latest record, preceded by support act Plastic Family. 24 September, 19:30, Melkweg. 📅 POP / ROCK
Persian poetry meets Nordic jazz piano at BIMHUIS: A seated concert weaving Iranian classical song and poetry together with sparse Norwegian jazz piano and folk motifs. 24 September, 20:30 - 22:00, Bimhuis. 📅 DANCE / PERFORMANCE
Contemporary Andalusian flamenco pop with María José Llergo: Traditional Andalusian flamenco vocal traditions meet soul rhythms and electronic pop arrangements in an evening touring her album El Juego. 24 September, 20:30, Bitterzoet. 📅 WORLD / FOLK
Dulfer & Witteveen launch their Swedish folk EP: Swedish nyckelharpa and Dutch cello interlock for an evening of cross-border folk traditions and new acoustic compositions. 24 September, 20:00, Splendor. 📅 DANCE / PERFORMANCE
Three jazz sets and dinner with Koen Verlaan: A seated chef's menu paired with saxophone, drums, and classic Frank Sinatra vocals broken across three intimate live sets. 24 September, 20:30, Bar Contra. 📅 POP / ROCK
Poets of the Fall celebrate Carnival of Rust at Melkweg: The Finnish rock band plays their 2006 album in full for its twentieth anniversary, opened by Rabbit Cult. 24 September, 19:00, Melkweg. 📅 POP / ROCK
Netherlands against Germany in the Nations League group stage: The Dutch national side hosts their traditional rivals under stadium lights, with entry gates opening two hours before kickoff. 24 September, 20:45, Johan Cruijff ArenA. 📅 SPORTS
Tackling society's big tech addiction at Paradiso: Part of the venue's Kosmos series, this evening convenes speakers to examine how deeply everyday life relies on corporate tech. 24 September, 20:00, Paradiso. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS
Try-Rotting: Final Presentation at W139: An evening showcase concludes the Try-Rotting artistic process at the central gallery space. 24 September, 20:00, W139. 📅 ART / MUSEUMS
Author Thomas Verbogt interviewed at OBA Linnaeus: Maaike Bergstra sits down with the Dutch writer to discuss his latest novel, Foto’s van zonnige dagen. 24 September, 19:00, OBA Linnaeus. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS
Celebrating Women in Art at ART District gallery: An expat evening pairing contemporary works with live music, drinks and chances to meet the gallery's artists. 24 September, 18:00, ART District, Woonmall Villa Arena. 📅 ART / MUSEUMS
Birthday cake for visitors during Amsterdam Museum trakteert: Museum ticket holders receive a celebratory slice of cake by the scale model as part of the centenary festivities. 24 September, 12:00, Amsterdam in Motion. 📅 ART / MUSEUMS
Dinner from Robin Food and drinks at Literanita: Robin Food serves dinner before the bar night gets going in the living-room lounge of de Nieuwe Anita. 24 September, De Nieuwe Anita. 📅 FOOD / MARKETS
Curating Mysteries: card magic and illusion history: Storytelling, historical sleight of hand and interactive close-up card magic geared specifically towards an adult evening audience. 24 September, Theater Mascini. 📅 THEATER
Watch a 235-tonne bridge deck hoisted over the Schinkel: Spectators can watch heavy engineering up close from the lockside, alongside information stands and technical lectures in Dutch. 24 September, 15.30 - 22.00, Nieuwe Meersluis. 📅 OUTDOOR / ACTIVE
Gary, Indiana unscripted improv comedy show at Vice Versa: Performers build two hours of fast-moving scenes completely unscripted from an initial prompt thrown out by the room. 24 September, 20:30 - 22:30, Vice Versa. 📅 COMEDY
Private garden house sessions for Tarot Readings with Melanie: Confidential consultations blending Jungian psychology and Western astrology sit in a secluded room, open to adult walk-ins through the day. 24 September, 11:00, House with the Heads. 📅 GAMES / HOBBIES
Casual mixer over Twilight Drinks for Expats & Locals: An easy drop-in social night at the bar, complete with an optional WhatsApp group for future hangouts. 24 September, 20:00, Cafe Lux. 📅 SOCIAL / DRINKS
Guitar comedy by Roel C. Verburg: Armed with an acoustic guitar, the comedian plays songs touching on relationship trouble and time travel. 24 September, 20:30, Comedy Cafe. 📅 COMEDY
Veterinary stories from Africa in Lessen uit de wildernis: Wildlife vet Martine van Zijll Langhout shares fieldwork encounters with gorillas and lions while launching her book. 24 September, 20:00, ARTIS-Groote Museum. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS
Casual bar chess for all skill levels at SchaakKring: Boards are set out across the bar tables where seasoned players mentor beginners over a relaxed drink. 24 September, 20:30, Sociëteit de Kring. 📅 GAMES / HOBBIES
Print your own pet portraits using Risograph machines: An evening printmaking session in the creative hub at Sluisbuurt focused on translating animal drawings into layered ink. 24 September, 19:00, Baggerbeest. 📅 WORKSHOP
Learn the narrative heist at One Last Job: Participants practice multiple storylines, first-person monologues, and comedic archetypes before staging an improvised bank job. 24 September, 19:00 - 21:00, Q Factory. 📅 CLASS
A free beginner freerunning session tailored for older adults: Coaches guide adults over thirty-five through fundamental vaulting and balance work outdoors or inside the dedicated training gym. 24 September, 20:30 - 21:30, fé freerunning (Fit Earth). 📅 CLASS
Practice public speaking and story craft with the SPACE workshop: Everyone delivers a short speech or story in English or Dutch, followed by supportive peer feedback. 24 September, 18:30, Buurtkamer Rijn 58 Dynamo. 📅 WORKSHOP
Practice conversational Dutch at the Roelof Hartplein Taalcafé: Small tables pair language learners with native volunteers to practice practical, low-pressure everyday Dutch conversation. 24 September, 14:30, OBA Roelof Hartplein - Kluun-zaal. 📅 CLASS
Industry booking and production advice at Poppodium spreekuur: Musicians and producers can walk into the studio to ask practical questions about booking gigs and finishing tracks. 24 September, 16:00, OBA Next Lab Kraaiennest - Music Studios. 📅 WORKSHOP
Prompten voor beginners hands-on AI workshop at Vrije Universiteit: Hands-on practice covers prompting techniques for educational generative tools, open to external attendees as well as university staff. 24 September, 11:00, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. 📅 CLASS
Behind-the-Scenes Tour at Schiphol Airport: A guided walk through the back-end infrastructure and operations supporting daily air traffic across Europe's major Dutch transit hub. 24 September, Schiphol Airport. 📅 TOUR
Enterprise AI debates and networking tracks at HumanX Amsterdam: Over two hundred speakers tackle corporate AI deployment, regulatory policy, and venture funding across multiple exhibition stages. 24 September, RAI Amsterdam. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS
Talks, pizza and networking at Career Night: Students & AI: Two short industry talks on product building followed by pizza, drinks and discussion of junior project roles. 24 September, 18:00, Datagrove HQ. 📅 NETWORKING
Career strategies for women in tech during the AI boom: Engineering leaders share practical career advice over drinks and panel discussions aimed at women working across tech. 24 September, 15:30, Atlassian B.V.. 📅 SEMINAR / TALK
Founders and tech investors meet at Startup Garage: Casual drinks, short presentations, and direct introductions across a marina lounge bar for early-stage builders. 24 September, 19:00 - 22:00, Room Mate Aitana (Lounge Bar on the first floor). 📅 NETWORKING
Sea Palace Café: Set right by Centraal Station at the floating pagoda restaurant, this weekend spot serves Cantonese egg tarts, pineapple cakes, and savoury buns alongside pandan lattes and jasmine soft serve.
September: Located in De Baarsjes, this modern restaurant serves a straightforward, changing menu driven by seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and paired with simple wines.
Café Gitane: Located in Amsterdam-West, this neighbourhood spot run by chef Angelo Kremmydas features a seasonal Mediterranean menu served in a warm interior that blends Scandinavian tones with Mediterranean accents.
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: Collision (HBO Max), Dil Dhadakne Do (Netflix), Made in Korea (Disney+), The Love Hypothesis (Prime Video)
New on the big screen: Human Nature arrives at Cinema The Pulse and Filmhallen, and Sovereign Son is now showing at De Balie and EYE. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: A post by a family considering a move from Berlin to Amsterdam drew reassurances that Amsterdam is welcoming, diverse, and feels safer than Berlin, though commenters warned about the high cost of living.
Today's supermarket deals: Oppo Brothers Refreshed mango & passion fruit (1+1 free) from Albert Heijn, Unox or Conimex soup pouch (1+1 free) from Jumbo.
Did you know? ARTIS-Micropia is a museum for microbes, making the invisible world of bacteria and microorganisms into a visitor attraction.
55 years ago today: On September 24th, 1971, Hotel Okura Amsterdam officially opened in De Pijp, becoming the Japanese hotel group's first European property.
In case you missed it
Our three most clicked-on items from yesterday’s newsletter.
In tomorrow’s edition: Vincent op Vrijdag returns to the Van Gogh Museum, a guided tour and free lunch concert takes place at Muziekgebouw, and Margreet Dolman and Dominee Gremdaat celebrate fifty years at Meervaart.
Have a great Thursday.
Running something in Amsterdam? Tell us about it and we will take a look.
Keep an eye on the clouds if you are cycling across town this afternoon.
Want to make sure you never miss a day of Essentially Amsterdam? Subscribe here.