B☀️ Essentially Amsterdam for Thursday, July 9: Intertoys asbestos monkey recall, Julidans flamenco, kids ride free

Thursday July 9, 2026

Good morning, Amsterdam. Tonight the city is overflowing with live music, from a free rooftop gig at NEMO and Spanish classics at the Concertgebouw to Madagascan tsapiky out in Tolhuistuin. Meanwhile, a recall worth knowing about: Intertoys is pulling asbestos-contaminated toy monkeys from shelves, and kids on the GVB now ride free while the senior discount quietly disappears.

Kids Ride Free; Senior Discount Ends: From January 1, 2027, children aged 4–11 will be able to travel free on public transit nationwide when accompanied by an adult. The policy is meant to build early transit habits and ease family costs, but it also removes the current over-65 discount on buses, trams, and metros.

Intertoys Pulls Asbestos Toy Monkeys: Intertoys has removed stretchy toy monkeys from sale after tests found asbestos in the sand filling, following an earlier warning about the problem. If you bought one recently, it’s worth checking whether it came from the affected batch.

Beethovenstraat closes near A10 underpass: Beethovenstraat in Amsterdam-Zuid will be shut to cars and buses near the A10 underpass for four weeks, creating major disruption on a busy route. If you travel through Oud-Zuid, it’s worth planning a detour in advance.

Oostbrug Promised Room for Scooters: The city says the planned Oostbrug would be wide enough for pedestrians, cyclists, e-bikes, mopeds, mobility vehicles, and emergency services, despite cost concerns and criticism. The debate matters for anyone following development around Amsterdam Oost and the IJ waterfront. 🏗️

Oostbrug Plans Stir Up Haven Fears: Residents of KNSM Island and Java Island are pushing back against bridge plans that would reshape the inner IJ and add berths for large cargo vessels. If you live or work in the Oostelijk Havengebied, this is one to watch as the city keeps pressing ahead.

Police Brace for World Cup Crowds: Amsterdam police say they’re preparing for possible escalation if World Cup celebrations get out of hand, with officers deployed around major gathering spots. It’s a reminder that big-match nights can affect the whole city, not just the fans.

Ton Meijer’s Art Adventure for Kids: The OBA offers a free summer outing for children 5 and up, with author-artist Ton Meijer guiding them through art and music in a playful, exploratory way. It’s a simple school-holiday option with some cultural heft. July 9, OBA Amsterdam 📅 Kids Workshop

Kids’ Nature Club at Jeugdland: Jeugdland’s Nature Club lets children get hands-on with water life, edible plants, insects, nature art, and outdoor cooking. It’s free, fun, and a good way for ages 6+ to explore the outdoors without any signup hassle. July 9, 14:00, Jeugdland, Zeeburgereiland 📅 Outdoor / Active

Free Sports and Games at Zaandammerplein: DOCK is bringing free sports and games to Zaandammerplein, making it a simple outing for families and anyone wanting an active afternoon. It’s especially useful as a no-cost option on the first day of summer vacation. July 9, 12:00–16:00, Zaandammerplein 📅 Outdoor / Active

Baby Library Session in Amstelveen: This free Boekstart baby library session offers songs, stories, and books for children ages 0–2 and their caregivers. It’s a gentle weekly drop-in that can help families build an early reading routine. July 9, 9:30–10:30 AM, Bibliotheek Westwijk, Amstelveen Story / Reading

Concertgebouw Serves Spanish Classics: Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez and Ravel’s Boléro anchor a lush summer program of two of classical music’s most recognizable crowd-pleasers. It’s a strong pick if you want a big-ticket concert that still feels easy and accessible for a July night. July 9, 20:00, Concertgebouw 📅

Elfi Brings Heartbreak Pop to Paradiso: Dutch singer-songwriter Elfi brings English-language heartbreak pop to Paradiso, pairing emotional lyrics with hooks built for a live crowd. It’s a chance to catch an emerging local voice in one of Amsterdam’s most iconic venues. July 9, 19:30, Paradiso 📅

BKTHERULA Hits Bitterzoet Tonight: Atlanta’s BKTHERULA brings her genre-blending mix of trap, melodic rap, punk, and R&B to Bitterzoet, backed by a cult following and her ambitious album LUCY. Doors open at 19:30, with the show starting at 20:30, giving you a full evening set in one of Amsterdam’s intimate music rooms. July 9, Doors 19:30, show from 20:30, Bitterzoet

Havana D’Primera Brings Timba to Paradiso: Cuba’s Havana D’Primera brings its high-energy timba and salsa sound to Paradiso, promising brass, percussion, and a dancefloor-ready crowd. If you want a late-night concert with momentum, this is the one to catch. July 9, 20:30, Paradiso 📅

Subtone blends jazz and global grooves: Paradiso’s Subtone series pairs live jazz with electronic and global sounds, with Quantic headlining upstairs and a second dancefloor downstairs featuring Midi Jazz Club, Halfpastseven and Toribio. It’s a good pick if you want one ticket for a genre-crossing night out. July 9, Doors 21:30, main 22:00, Paradiso

Galván and Freitas Ignite Julidans: Spain’s flamenco firebrand Israel Galván and Cape Verdean choreographer Marlene Monteiro Freitas team up in a charged performance of rhythm, ritual, and movement. Julidans places this boundary-pushing duet in Frascati for one night only. July 9, 20:30, Frascati 📅 Dance / Performance

Jazz Dinner at Contra Amsterdam: The Carlos Ayuso Trio soundtrack a dinner service at Contra Amsterdam, pairing live jazz with a sit-down meal in one reservation. It’s an easy, polished way to turn Thursday night into both dinner plans and a concert. July 9, 20:30, Contra Amsterdam 📅 Food / Markets

Morocco vs France on Meervaart Screen: Meervaart turns into a live-viewing spot for the World Cup quarter-final between Morocco and France, giving West Amsterdam fans a big-screen place to watch one of the tournament’s biggest matches. It’s a simple, social way to follow the game without staying home. July 9, Meervaart Theatre, Meer en Vaart 300 📅 Sports (Spectator)

Toasties Meet Wine at MONTY’S: Sobremesa Club and Young Wine Society team up for a three-course toastie-and-wine pairing dinner, with each toastie matched to a selected wine and a welcome drink on arrival. At €38, it’s a playful, low-stakes way to spend the evening eating, tasting, and comparing notes. July 9, 18:00–20:30, MONTY'S Toasties 📅 Food / Markets

Boom Chicago screens the World Cup: Boom Chicago turns its comedy stage into a World Cup watch venue through the tournament’s final stretch, with matches shown on the big screen at various times. The central location and lively room make it a more distinctive sports night than your usual bar. July 9 through July 19, various times, Boom Chicago Sports (Spectator)

Sketch Amsterdam on an Evening Walk: Join illustrator Ellie Middleton for a guided 1–2 km walk that turns the city into an open-air sketchbook, with quick exercises using graphite, watercolor brush pens, and more. It’s designed for all levels, and the sketchbook plus materials are included. July 9, 19:00, Magere Brug (the Skinny Bridge), Amstel river 📅 Workshop

West Amsterdam Gets a Rhythm Camp: Podium Mozaïek’s Best of the West Summercamp packs the day with participatory dance workshops led by David Cham and percussion sessions with Moussé Dramé. It’s especially appealing for families or anyone who wants a hands-on, social way to move and make music. July 9, 12:00, Podium Mozaïek 📅 Workshop

Jewish Bakery Heritage in Oost: Steve Bikoplein in Amsterdam Oost hosts a summer afternoon on the city’s Jewish bakery traditions, with food tasting and stories tied to the neighborhood’s baking history. It’s a local-history event with a very edible angle. July 9, 14:00–17:30, Steve Bikoplein, Amsterdam Oost 📅 Tasting

Pub quiz night at De Nieuwe Anita: Jim and Daan’s recurring quiz night mixes trivia, teamwork and a reliably cozy bar atmosphere at one of Amsterdam’s favourite low-key venues. It’s an easygoing challenge whether you bring a full team or show up solo. July 9, 20:00, De Nieuwe Anita 📅 Games / Hobbies

Squash ladder night at Frans Otten Stadion: This monthly ladder tournament packs in lots of short, rotating matches, so players of mixed levels get plenty of court time without needing a partner. It’s also a social way to meet other squash fans in Amsterdam. July 9, 19:00, Frans Otten Stadion, IJsbaanpad 43 📅 Sports (Active)

TomTom hosts geospatial ML talks: PyData Amsterdam heads to TomTom’s office for two talks on geospatial machine learning, including how automated driving systems cope with constant change and how active learning scales in production. It’s a useful event for anyone interested in data, maps or applied AI. July 9, 17:30, TomTom, De Ruyterkade 154 📅 Seminar / Talk

Systemic leadership training on Frederiksplein: This professional training introduces systemic leadership through constellation-based methods, focusing on team dynamics and hidden organizational patterns. It’s aimed at anyone looking for practical tools to understand how groups really function. July 9, 09:30, The School of Life Amsterdam, Frederiksplein 📅 Workshop / Training

Vermut brings vermouth to Amsterdam-West: Vermut Amsterdam has opened in Amsterdam-West as a neighborhood spot built around vermouth-based aperitivo drinks. It fills a very specific pre-dinner niche, making it a useful new option for relaxed drinks before heading out to eat. Bar / Café

Petit Pêche opens in Amsterdam: Petit Pêche has opened in Amsterdam, and its French name suggests a seafood-forward concept with a more refined, continental feel. For anyone looking for a new fish spot in the city, it’s one to watch. Restaurant

Fermént Brings Fermentation to Town: This new Amsterdam spot leans into fermented flavors, natural wines, and inventive small plates, making it one to watch for anyone into low-intervention drinks and chef-y bites. It’s a fresh addition to the city’s dining scene in Amsterdam. Restaurant