Friday September 18, 2026
Good morning, Amsterdam. Today: budget cuts threaten neighbourhood paddling pools, Stefan de Walle steps down as the national Sinterklaas, and Klassiek op het Amstelveld brings young musicians to the canal side.
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 18°C / 65°F (2° warmer than yesterday) · Lo 13°C / 56°F · 5% chance of rain · wind SW 21 km/h (11 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Mostly fine, a shower is possible.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 07:19 · Sunset 19:48 · First Quarter · Moonrise 16:13 · Golden hour 19:18 to 19:48
🌊 Outdoors: Air quality fair (AQI 22) · grass pollen low
💶 Markets: AEX 1,101 (+0.4%) · S&P 500 7,639 (+1.2%) · €1 = $1.15 · $1 = €0.87
Stefan de Walle steps down as Sinterklaas: Actor Stefan de Walle is leaving the role after fifteen years on Het Sinterklaasjournaal. A successor will debut at the national arrival in Grave this November.
New Oud Osdorp place signs confuse Geuzenveld residents: Place name signs reading Oud Osdorp have appeared at three locations between Geuzenveld and De Eendracht. Longtime residents question the new boundary and the reverse side reading Amsterdam.
Budget cuts threaten paddling pools across Amsterdam: Nine paddling pools across the city do not meet legal water purification rules, and the municipality lacks funds to upgrade them all. Several pools in West and Nieuw-West now face potential closure.
Amsterdam transit fares rank second costliest in Europe: A new Greenpeace study found only London charges more for capital city transit passes. Prices in the Dutch capital have jumped by 55% since 2023.
A10 West link to A4 closes for weekend: Roadworks will shut the connection between the A10 West and the A4 towards Schiphol over the weekend. Drivers face disruption along the route during the planned maintenance.
Amsterdam artist creates cloud cover for Peter Gabriel: British musician Peter Gabriel selected an indoor cloud artwork by Berndnaut Smilde for his latest single cover. Smilde uses water vapour and smoke machines to create brief indoor clouds.
City seeks new venue for Het Stenen Hoofd: Stadsdeel West has opened applications for a temporary hospitality spot on the former harbour pier. The chosen operator will run the location for three summer seasons starting in 2027.
Bakery Louf hosts Indonesian pop-up lunch: Chefs De Vrouw met de Baard will serve a Lombok and Bali-inspired menu in Oud-West this Sunday. The event is part of a series of neighbourhood collaborations by bakery co-owner Mourad Saber.
Funda raises property listing fees with three tiers: The property portal has introduced new advertising packages that can double listing fees for sellers. The most expensive option now costs 536 euros excluding VAT.
Klassiek op het Amstelveld open-air music festival: Young classical players perform outdoors across the square, alongside workshops, activities for children, and picnic benches by the stage. 18 September, Amstelveld. 📅 FAMILY SHOW
Explore how young children express themselves through drawing: Pedagogue Titia Spreij uses film clips and photos to explain childhood scribbles, followed by celebratory drinks. 18 September, 20:00 - 22:00, KiMu Kinderkunstmuseum. 📅 MUSEUM / EDUCATIONAL
Dutch-language listening songs by Wiekeliedjes in Torpedo Theater: Solo stage performance featuring lyrical tunes drawn from her debut EP, En ik overdrijf. 18 September, Torpedo Theater. 📅 FAMILY SHOW
Picture books, craft and lemonade at OBA Slotermeer: Children sit down for an OBA picture book reading, followed by drawing, colouring and crafts over glasses of lemonade. 18 September, 15:30, OBA Slotermeer - Jeugdhoek Pinokkio. 📅 KIDS WORKSHOP
Concertgebouw Orchestra plays Berlioz and Schumann under Mäkelä: Klaus Mäkelä leads the orchestra in Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique alongside Robert Schumann's Spring Symphony, with drinks included in entry. 18 September, 8:15 PM - 10:20 PM, The Concertgebouw, Main Hall. 📅 CLASSICAL
Nnelg brings Ghanaian gospel-infused hip-hop to Melkweg: The Amsterdam Zuidoost rapper and SMIB collective co-founder performs tracks from his album Hotel Rijkdom. 18 September, 19:30, Melkweg. 📅 HIP-HOP / R&B
Personal Trainer plays their biggest hometown show at Carré: The local indie rock collective takes over the royal theatre stage for a high-energy, full-scale evening concert. 18 September, 20:00, Koninklijk Theater Carré. 📅 POP / ROCK
Muze van Zuid festival returns across South Amsterdam: Living rooms, monuments, churches and an Amstel boat host chamber music, jazz, tango and walking tours exploring local history. 18 September, 18:00, Amsterdam-Zuid. 📅 CLASSICAL
Free open-air classical concerts at Klassiek op het Amstelveld: Picnic benches ring the square for outdoor performances by youth orchestras, soloists, and established players across the weekend. 18 September, Multiple times, Amstelveld. 📅 CLASSICAL
FINIS: medieval tunes and Mediterranean song traditions: Duo Ex Silentio weaves early French court compositions together with Mediterranean folk melodies using historical flutes and fiddle. 18 September, 20:15 - 21:45, De Engelse Kerk. 📅 CLASSICAL
Conservatorium flute and harp duets for lunch: Conservatorium musicians Camille Schneegans and Josefien de Waele perform a half-hour acoustic set on flute and harp. 18 September, 13:30, Embassy of the Free Mind. 📅 CLASSICAL
Free live afternoon jazz at OBA Oosterdok: Musicians set up inside the central library branch for an early evening performance open to anyone browsing. 18 September, 16:30, OBA Oosterdok. 📅 JAZZ / BLUES
Arizona rockers The Maine headline Paradiso with Grayscale: Long-running Arizona five-piece bring guitar-driven American rock, supported by Philadelphia touring group Grayscale. 18 September, 19:30, Paradiso (Main Hall. 📅 POP / ROCK
Seoul boy band AMPERS&ONE on tour: The seven-piece FNC Entertainment pop outfit brings their choreographed routine to the venue's Main Stage. 18 September, Q Factory. 📅 POP / ROCK
Live mid-century Greek music at Rebetiko Night Sti Sofita: Matsa Ranga play bouzouki, guitar and vocals upstairs in the attic alongside mezze, ouzo and raki. 18 September, 20:00, Theater De Richel. 📅 WORLD / FOLK
Gospel nuns and cabaret at Nun the Wiser Benefit Concert: Performers preview songs from a satirical production set in 17th-century Italy, followed by drinks with the cast. 18 September, 19:00 - 22:00, Manhattan Lounge. 📅 CHOIR / VOCAL
Acoustic Hans Zimmer film scores by La Chapelle Sauvage: An acoustic ensemble reimagines the grand, sci-fi organ compositions of Interstellar alongside works by Ludovico Einaudi. 18 September, 20:00 - 21:15, Keizersgrachtkerk. 📅 CLASSICAL
Acoustic neo-soul and unreleased songs by Anne Noor: Guest musicians join the Berklee-trained songwriter for an acoustic set of new material blending jazz, pop, and groove. 18 September, 20:15 - 22:00, Droog. 📅 SINGER-SONGWRITER
GLUE Amsterdam design route around city studios: Over 150 local designers, studios, showrooms and co-working labs open their doors across the city under the theme Creating a Home. 18 September, Across the city. 📅 FESTIVALS
Contemporary work from De Ateliers artists at Unfair 26: The circular gasworks hall fills with new pieces by participants and alumni from the renowned Amsterdam artists' institute. 18 September, Morning hours, Gashouder. 📅 ART / MUSEUMS
Lucha libre and political dance battles at CC Amstel: Freestyle choreography meets theatrical wrestling matches between allegorical figures in this continuing live performance project. 18 September, 20:30, CC Amstel. 📅 THEATER
Hailun Ma: Hometown photography opens at Foam: Fashion photography meets local portraits from the artist's home region of Xinjiang, installed in Foam's canal-house galleries. 18 September, FOAM Photography Museum. 📅 ART / MUSEUMS
Open-air lakeside cinema at West Beach Film Festival: Five days of free screenings, live music, community art and workshops spread along the banks of the Sloterplas. 18 September, Buurtwerkplaats Noorderhof, President Allendelaan 1. 📅 FESTIVALS
Investigating ancestral roots through genetics at De Balie: A geneticist discusses what modern DNA research can reveal, and cannot resolve, for descendants of enslaved Africans. 18 September, 20:00, De Balie. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS
Opening night for Ulrich Seidl at Eye Filmmuseum: An opening gathering introduces the museum's new exhibition dedicated to the Austrian director's films and visual themes. 18 September, EYE Filmmuseum. 📅 ART / MUSEUMS
Wayward Sanctuaries opening at Brakke Grond: Fifteen emerging Belgium-based artists from the POC POC mentorship collective share new visual art, performance, and music. 18 September, 12:00 - 17:00, De Brakke Grond. 📅 THEATER
Douglas Stuart discusses his novel at SPUI25: The author discusses his latest fiction with readers in an evening conversation in the university auditorium. 18 September, 20:00, SPUI25. 📅 TALKS / IDEAS
Greg Shapiro: King Me: Storytelling, bilingual gags, and sharp Trump impressions drive this ninth solo show staged in the intimate Klein Bellevue. 18 September, 20:00, Theater Bellevue. 📅 COMEDY
Long-form improv and student tryouts at easylaughs: A student graduation set opens the evening before resident players blend unscripted stories, poetry, dance and puns together. 18 September, 20:00 - 22:00, CREA Muziekzaal. 📅 COMEDY
Wildplukwandeling and herb butter making in Noord: A guided foraging walk through the park and woods ends with churning gathered herbs and edible flowers into butter. 18 September, 15:00, De VerbroederIJ. 📅 TOUR
Ribbon cutting for the new community bike workshop: An evening launch for the neighborhood repair bay, featuring Amsterdam's bike mayor, a professional mechanic and drinks. 18 September, 12:00, Maakbar on the Ceuvel square. 📅 WORKSHOP
Harry Styles Book Club discusses Haruki Murakami: Readers gather in Spui to dissect Murakami's memoir on long-distance running, chosen by a musician-themed reading circle. 18 September, 17:00-18:30, The American Book Center. 📅 GAMES / HOBBIES
Paint using Van Gogh's brush techniques: An entry-level studio session working hands-on with the painter's characteristic brushwork and colour methods. 18 September, Various times, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. 📅 WORKSHOP
Free fitness sessions launch Amsterdamse Sport- en Beweegweek: Free outdoor training, club taster classes and athletic drills run across parks and municipal centres all week. 18 September, Door de hele stad. 📅 SPORTS
Weekly morning social club for Chinese older residents: Older members of the neighbourhood community gather weekly on Friday mornings for a relaxed, sociable get-together. 18 September, 10:00, Verpleeghuis Het Schouw. 📅 SOCIAL / DRINKS
Open doors at the weekly LAG hackerspace social evening: Tech tinkerers, open-source enthusiasts and curious locals drop by to chat, work on projects and share ideas. 18 September, 19:00, LAG. 📅 SOCIAL / DRINKS
Join the neighbourhood cleanup for World Cleanup Day: Volunteers fan out across public streets and green spaces in Nieuw-West to collect litter together. 18 September, Diverse locaties in Nieuw-West. 📅 VOLUNTEERING
Expat and local social meetup at Meet Berlage: An evening gathering on the terrace, built mostly for people who arrive on their own. 18 September, 20:00, The Brokers Bar. 📅 SOCIAL / DRINKS
Enterprise software and emerging tech at TECHSPO Amsterdam: Two days of trade floor booths, a podcast studio and demo theatres covering internet, advertising and marketing software. 18 September, 09:00 - 16:00, Johan Cruijff ArenA Stadium. 📅 CONFERENCE
Digital marketing strategies at DigiMarCon Netherlands: Presentations, panels and trade displays covering mobile media, advertising tech, content marketing and customer engagement at the arena. 18 September, 09:00, Johan Cruijff ArenA. 📅 CONFERENCE
AI Meetup with Lilibeth Linares, talks and pizza: Tech presentations, drinks, slices of pizza and informal networking run across the evening for anyone curious about AI. 18 September, 18:00 - 21:30, The AI Hub. 📅 NETWORKING
Designer Marc van der Voorn on material selection: The Dutch designer walks through his studio workflow, focusing on how raw material choices direct shape and production. 18 September, 16:00 - 17:00, MADART. 📅 SEMINAR / TALK
Pitch-free drinks for creatives at Amsterdam Hub: Entrepreneurs, freelancers and local professionals gather for a quiet drink without speakers, scheduled pitches, or structured networking rounds. 18 September, 19:00, Cafe Meis. 📅 NETWORKING
Brasserie Margaux: This new brasserie on Beethovenstraat serves traditional French dishes on Limoges porcelain plates with real silver cutlery. Inside, guests will find a classic dining room with thousands of hand-laid marble floor tiles.
SAAM: Situated near Ouderkerk, this relaxed restaurant prepares Dutch ingredients with a distinct South African twist. Visitors can enjoy colorful interiors downstairs or head to the first-floor bar for drinks with views across the Amstel River.
FRAME: Clothing label FRAME has opened a new shop on the PC Hooftstraat. Visitors will find shelves stocked with everyday wardrobe staples alongside the brand's signature denim collections.
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: The Last Mountain (SkyShowtime), Collision (HBO Max), Gate 24: The Border (Netflix), City of Blood (Disney+)
New on the big screen: Heart of the Beast arrives at 6 cinemas, and Paradijs is now showing at 6 cinemas. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: A thread venting about reckless fatbike riders brought calls for strict police enforcement, minimum age requirements, and bans from bike paths, though some commenters noted that regular e-bikes and erratic traditional cyclists cause similar hazards.
Today's supermarket deals: AH Grated cheese specially for pizza (2 for €5.00) from Albert Heijn, Pepsi, Rivella, 7-Up or Sisi (2 for €3.99) from Jumbo.
Did you know? The Night Watch was cut down in 1715 so it could fit between two doors in Amsterdam’s Town Hall; the removed pieces were never found.
97 years ago today: On September 18th, 1929, the artist Armando was born in Amsterdam; his career would span painting, sculpture, writing, poetry and music.
In case you missed it
Our three most clicked-on items from yesterday’s newsletter.
In tomorrow’s edition: The Colin Currie Group celebrates Steve Reich at The Concertgebouw, anime classic Memories screens at Melkweg, and an Ulrich Seidl retrospective opens at Eye Filmmuseum.
Have a great Friday.
Running something in Amsterdam? Tell us about it and we will take a look.
Keep an eye on the afternoon clouds over the Amstel.
Want to make sure you never miss a day of Essentially Amsterdam? Subscribe here.