Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam – What’s Happening in the City, Attractions, and Opening Hours
- Inbal Tur-Shalom ענבל טור-שלום
- Oct 10, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Even if you don’t celebrate Sinterklaas, Christmas, or New Year’s in a religious or traditional way, December and January are some of the most festive months to visit Amsterdam. The city sparkles with twinkling lights, Christmas markets open across town, and the holiday spirit fills the air.
That said, just as in Israel or elsewhere, holidays often mean closures: many businesses shut their doors, public transportation runs on limited schedules, and navigating the city as a tourist can feel a bit less convenient. So what about Amsterdam? What stays open, when does it operate, and what unique attractions can you enjoy in the Dutch capital during the winter holiday season? All the answers are in this post.
The Festive Atmosphere Begins in November
At the end of October, the Netherlands switches to wintertime, which means evenings turn dark earlier. By the start of November, festive lights and illuminated decorations already brighten Amsterdam’s streets, squares, and neighborhoods. The city takes on a magical glow, creating the perfect setting for a romantic evening stroll hand-in-hand. You can admire the twinkling streets, enjoy the warm holiday atmosphere, and of course—capture it all through your camera lens.
Sinterklaas: The First Holiday Celebration
The season’s first holiday is Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas Day), celebrated on December 5. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children, and in the Netherlands and Belgium this day is the main gift-giving celebration. According to tradition, Sinterklaas sails in each year from his home in Turkey or Spain (depending on who you ask), accompanied by his helpers, known as Pieten.
He carries a book of good deeds, and children who are listed inside receive gifts. Those who misbehaved are “taken away” to Sinterklaas’ home, returning only after learning how to behave properly—a story that still fuels the imagination of Dutch children.
This year, Sinterklaas will arrive in Amsterdam on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Following tradition, he will enter the city on a steamboat along with his helpers and plenty of pepernoten (small, spiced cookies flavored with cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg). His boat begins its journey on the Amstel River at 10:20 a.m. and sails north toward the National Maritime Museum.
There, Sinterklaas and his helpers will be welcomed by Amsterdam’s mayor and the city’s children’s council, who will present him with the official key to the city. After the ceremony, Sinterklaas mounts his white horse, Amigo, and continues in a festive parade with musicians, making his way from Rembrandtplein to Leidseplein, where he is expected to arrive at 2:30 p.m. Crowds are guaranteed, and some public transportation will be suspended during the parade.
December in Amsterdam carries a festive glow that transforms the city into something almost cinematic. Concert halls like the Concertgebouw and Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ fill with holiday programs, from classical music to seasonal favorites, often selling out weeks in advance. Repeat visitors I’ve guided — from the U.S. and Australia to France, Switzerland, India, and Israel — often plan their itineraries around these concerts, returning year after year for the atmosphere alone.
One evening not to miss is the World Christmas Circus at the grand Carré Theater, originally built as a royal circus hall. The ornate, golden interior seems designed for acrobats, jugglers, and costumed performers who now create a dazzling holiday spectacle. For a different kind of magic, the Amsterdam Winterparadijs at the RAI exhibition center offers an almost Alpine village feel — complete with ice slides, a Ferris wheel, snowball fights, and warm glasses of spiced wine between live shows and film screenings.
צילומים שצילמתי בפסטיבלי האורות במהלך השנים.
לחובבי הצילום שבינכם המעוניינים לצלם את פסטיבל האורות, ממליצה לכם לקרוא את הכתבה: זום על פסטיבל האורות באמסטרדם – טיפים על צילום נוף עירוני בלילה או פשוט להזמין סדנת צילום באור קלוש פרטית דרך הקישור או ישירות למייל inbal(at)inbalturshalom(dot)com
Shopping & Holiday Sales in Amsterdam
If you love combining travel with shopping, Amsterdam in winter has plenty to offer. The first major sales begin on Black Friday, which falls on the last Friday of November. In fact, some stores start their discounts a week earlier, and others extend them into the following week.
In December, the winter sales really pick up speed. Discounts usually get deeper as the month progresses, with the steepest markdowns happening during the first week of January. The catch? By then, some sizes may already be sold out. If you’re a Small or XXL, you’ll likely have better luck finding bargains.
Unlike in the U.S., Dutch “sale prices” are not usually rock-bottom — but you can still score excellent deals, especially at the major retail chains. Look for discounts at stores such as:
C&A (fashion for all ages)
De Bijenkorf (Amsterdam’s iconic luxury department store)
Intertoys (toys and games for kids and families)
Apple Store (for electronics and accessories)
Exploring the sales can be a fun way to blend holiday shopping with sightseeing — imagine stepping out of the grand department store on Dam Square into a city sparkling with festive lights.
For those curious about Dutch-Jewish traditions, a public menorah is lit on Dam Square during Hanukkah, often accompanied by music, sufganiyot, and plenty of good cheer.
Picture yourself stepping into Museumplein, where the Ice*Village transforms the square into a glowing winter scene. A wooden Dutch bridge spans the ice rink, while the smell of roasted nuts and mulled wine mingles with the sound of laughter on the ice. I’ve had British and Mexican guests tell me it feels like walking through a snow globe.
As Christmas approaches, Amsterdam balances its secular traditions with holiday cheer. Many restaurants and cafés remain open — particularly around Dam Square, Leidseplein, and Rembrandtplein — though it’s wise to book ahead since festive menus are often limited to a set number of guests. Even familiar shops such as Bijenkorf and Zara extend their hours in December, before closing on Christmas Day itself.
New Year’s Eve, however, belongs to the streets. Amsterdam transforms into one great celebration, from house parties where friends fry oliebollen (the Dutch holiday doughnuts) to public squares filled with live music and fireworks. The largest countdown happens on Museumplein, but I’ve guided Swiss and American guests to rooftop bars like the SkyLounge or Mr. Porter for champagne toasts above the city lights — an unforgettable view as the clock strikes midnight and the sky erupts in color.
As the year comes to a close, Amsterdam knows how to celebrate in style. For electronic music lovers, Awakenings New Year Festival is a highlight: three days of Europe’s best techno and electronic DJs performing at the historic Gashouder, December 28, 29, and 31. Guests I’ve guided from the U.S., Britain, and Israel often describe it as “Amsterdam energy at its peak.” Tickets are sold per day, and the atmosphere is unforgettable.
If you prefer a more classic night out, Amsterdam’s iconic clubs — Escape, Bitterzoet, Paradiso, and Panama — host spectacular New Year’s Eve parties. Some include multi-course dinners, champagne toasts, and live shows. Themes range from vintage glamour, like the Great Gatsby Club with jazz, burlesque, and cocktails, to colorful masquerade balls, salsa and bachata dance parties, and retro music nights playing every hit from the ’80s to today.
At midnight, the city erupts in fireworks. Whether you’re toasting champagne on a rooftop with views over the canals or dancing shoulder to shoulder at Paradiso as confetti rains down, it feels like the entire city is welcoming the new year with you.
Practical notes:
January 1st starts quietly. Many shops and cafés open late, though most restaurants, museums, and attractions resume normal hours by the afternoon.
Public transport runs on a reduced schedule, and taxis are pricier than usual.
Supermarkets and markets: Albert Heijn closes early on December 24 and 31, and has reduced hours on December 25ת December 26 and January 1. The Albert Cuyp Market is closed on both Christmas Days, January 1, and every Sunday.
Amsterdam remains a safe city, but as in any crowded celebration, it’s best to be cautious. Leave your passport in the hotel safe (a copy is enough unless you plan to visit the Holland Casino), take only the cash you’ll need for a few drinks or a taxi, and keep your phone tucked into an inner pocket. I also recommend carrying your hotel’s business card — a small detail that makes finding your way back easy if the night runs late.
And above all: don’t hesitate to ask your concierge or reception if you need help or advice. Amsterdam locals are welcoming, and a small question can often save you time and stress.
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