paroolSep 28, 2026, 18:03

Residents and municipality face off in court over TikTok queues at Fabel Friet: how did it get so out of hand?

Neighbors of the Fabel Friet snack bar in Amsterdam are heading to court to demand that the municipality takes stronger action against massive, viral TikTok queues blocking the Runstraat. The residents argue that the city has failed to mitigate the significant disturbances caused by these crowds in the narrow residential street.

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Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Letter from entrepreneurs to municipality on tourist tax hike: "Many negative consequences"

Business leaders in Amsterdam are urging the city council to pause and reconsider a planned hike in tourist tax that could reach 20 percent by 2031. They warn that the combined effect of this tax and a national VAT increase will place a 41 percent burden on hotel stays, threatening the viability of the city's hospitality and events sectors.

More cultural funding to the regions? Halsema warns: "The labor market is in Amsterdam"

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has warned the Dutch government against diverting cultural subsidies away from the capital, citing the risk of damaging the city's significant creative labor market. She also defended the autonomy of the arts sector, emphasizing that cultural institutions must remain free from political pressure and secure for all visitors.

Alderman concerned about rising interest rates, but major investments continue: "Though later or more modest"

Amsterdam's finance alderman Hendrik Jan Biemond intends to continue planned city investments but indicates they may be executed more soberly or delayed due to rising interest rates. The city will implement cost-saving measures, including the reduction of 2,500 municipal staff positions, to manage a projected increase in debt and interest expenses.

These are the candidates to become the city's new night mayor

Amsterdam is set to hold elections for a new night mayor in late November as current officeholder Freek Wallagh steps down. The candidates include music journalist Fien Bulsing, who focuses on fostering club collaboration, and the brother duo Taj and Diès Kroon, who aim to improve ties with the city government and introduce a night metro service.

No Art Festival left out in new event allocation

The Amsterdam city government has excluded the No Art Festival and the Free Your Mind festival from its 2027 events calendar following a new selection process. An independent committee evaluated applications for popular venues, ultimately favoring other organizers for the limited slots available.