Christmas in Amsterdam is the city at its most magical: 400-year-old canal houses lit by fairy lights, the Amsterdam Light Festival’s giant installations floating along the Herengracht, ice skating in the shadow of the Rijksmuseum, dozens of Christmas markets, and the smell of oliebollen and glühwein on every corner. This complete 2026/27 guide covers Christmas markets, the Light Festival, ice skating rinks, festive food, what’s open on Christmas Day, where to stay, and the Dutch traditions that make the holiday uniquely Amsterdam.
When is Christmas in Amsterdam?
- Sinterklaas (Dutch St Nicholas): 5 December 2026 — the "real" Dutch gift-giving night.
- Christmas Eve: 24 December 2026 — many shops close early, so check opening hours for anywhere you plan to visit that afternoon.
- First Christmas Day: 25 December 2026 — almost everything closed.
- Second Christmas Day: 26 December 2026 — limited shopping opens; restaurants busy.
- Christmas markets: each sets its own dates, and most of the outdoor ones fall within December. Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs at RAI runs from 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
- Amsterdam Light Festival: 26 November 2026 – 17 January 2027 (provisional dates — confirm closer to the date).
- Ice rinks: open mid-November through early February.
Amsterdam Light Festival
The annual Amsterdam Light Festival fills the canals with around twenty large-scale light installations created by international artists, reachable on foot or by boat. The 2026/27 edition (the 15th) runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. Theme is announced in October. The lights are on every day from 16:30 to 23:00, closing early at 21:00 on 31 December.
How to See the Light Festival
- Walking route (free): a 4.5 km route along the canals past the installations. Map available on the festival’s app and website.
- Canal cruise: from about €27.50 per person for a cruise of about 75 minutes past the installations. Book in advance — sells out weekly.
- Bike tour: the installations line the canals, so a bike works too; our guide covers the guided options.
- Self-drive electric boat: hire your own boat and set your own pace past the installations; prices depend on the operator, boat size and time slot. Most intimate option.
Best Christmas Markets in Amsterdam
1. Winter Paradise Museumplein
A Christmas market set up in front of the Rijksmuseum for much of December, with rows of wooden chalets selling mulled wine and Dutch winter food against the museum’s façade. The defining Amsterdam Christmas image.
2. Funky Xmas Market (Westergasfabriek)
Indie alternative at the converted gasworks in Westerpark. Independent Dutch designers, vintage clothing, craft beer bar, DJ sets. Entry is free, and stalls are open 12:00-18:00.
3. Christmas Market at RAI
Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs at RAI Amsterdam is massive: 55,000 m² holding a full Christmas village, indoor and outdoor ice rinks, a ski simulator and carousels. The 2026/27 edition runs from 12 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Family favourite. Timed-slot tickets from €18.50.
4. Sunday Market Eats & Crafts (Westergas)
The Sunday Market has a special Christmas edition in mid-December — Dutch craftspeople, independent designers, vinyl stalls, food trucks.
5. Ice*Amsterdam Market at Museumplein
An open-air market wrapped around Museumplein’s central ice rink — November through January. Smaller than Winter Paradise but with the same atmospheric setting.
6. Pure Markt (Various Locations)
The popular monthly farmer’s market gets a holiday edition with festive food, mulled wine, and gifts.
Ice Skating in Amsterdam
- Ice*Amsterdam at Museumplein — the iconic rink, with a drawbridge over the centre. This season’s dates, opening hours and prices are published on iceamsterdam.nl.
- Ice Rink Rembrandtplein — central, smaller, lively atmosphere.
- Leidseplein rink — pop-up rink during December.
- Jaap Eden Ijsbaan — Amsterdam’s permanent professional rink in Oost. Olympic-sized; speed-skating sessions in addition to recreational skating.
- Frozen canals (rare): if the city gets a hard winter, the canals freeze and locals skate them; the most recent time was February 2021, on a stretch of the Prinsengracht. Spectacle if you’re lucky.
Skating tips: book online for the popular Museumplein rink to skip the queue. Helmets are not mandatory but available for kids. Bring socks — rented skates come without.
Festive Food & Drink
- Oliebollen — Dutch deep-fried doughnuts, traditional New Year treat, sold from late November at every market.
- Glühwein — mulled wine. Most market stalls.
- Stroopwafels — freshly made on a hot iron at markets.
- Pepernoten & kruidnoten — small spiced cookies; Sinterklaas treats.
- Speculaas — spiced shortbread.
- Banketstaaf — almond-paste filled pastry log; eaten with coffee.
- Gourmetten — the Dutch family Christmas dinner: every guest cooks at a small tabletop grill while sharing wine and conversation.
- Erwtensoep — thick Dutch pea soup; classic winter warmer.
For Dutch food year-round, see our food & drink pillar.
Sinterklaas vs. Christmas
Sinterklaas (5 December) is the original Dutch gift-giving holiday — a centuries-old tradition that predates Santa Claus, who grew out of the Sinterklaas customs Dutch settlers took to New Amsterdam. On 5 December (Pakjesavond, "package evening"), Dutch families exchange gifts and read silly poems written about each other. Sint and his helper Piet are said to arrive by steamboat from Spain in mid-November and travel the country until 5 December.
Most Dutch families exchange gifts on Sinterklaas, not Christmas. Christmas itself is more religious or family-meal-focused, like a calmer extension of Sinterklaas. Visitors will see Sinterklaas decorations from mid-November and a sudden "flip" to Christmas trees and lights on 6 December.
Other Things to Do at Christmas
- Concertgebouw Christmas Concerts — every December, from carol concerts to Messiah performances. Book in October.
- Nutcracker at Het Nationale Ballet — annual classic at Dutch National Opera & Ballet.
- Carolling boat tours — small wooden cruise boats with choirs.
- Christmas Carol singing at Westerkerk — free, evening, mid-December.
- The Ice Bar — interactive frozen experience at Amsterdam Ice Bar.
- Heineken Experience Christmas Edition — festive lighting and limited holiday tour packages.
- Visit the Anne Frank House — quiet in December; book early. See our Anne Frank House guide.
Weather & What to Pack
- Temperatures: cold, often only a few degrees above freezing; snow is possible but rarely heavy.
- Daylight: short — sunrise around 8:50 and sunset around 16:30 on the shortest day (21 December).
- Rain: frequent; pack a sturdy umbrella and waterproofs.
- Wind: strong off the IJ — pack a windproof jacket.
- Pack: warm coat, scarf, gloves, hat, layers, waterproof shoes, thermals if you’ll be outdoors at the markets.
- Plug-in heat packs are sold at Schiphol’s HEMA — great for outdoor ice rinks.
What’s Open on Christmas Day & Boxing Day?
25 December (First Christmas Day)
- Open: Major museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Stedelijk), Anne Frank House, some restaurants (book ahead).
- Closed: All shops, most coffeeshops, some bars, all government offices.
- Public transport: Reduced Sunday-level service. Schiphol trains operate; check NS for times.
26 December (Second Christmas Day / Boxing Day)
- Open: Major museums, Anne Frank House, many restaurants, some shops (limited hours).
- Big retail sales begin (similar to Boxing Day in the UK).
- Christmas markets continue.
31 December & 1 January
New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam is still the wildest night of the year, but the street fireworks are gone: a national ban on consumer fireworks took effect on 1 August 2026, so 2026/27 is the first New Year’s Eve where the public may only use sparklers and other F1 items, and the big displays are left to licensed professionals. Amsterdam’s free Electric Fireworks show lights up Museumplein on 31 December. Public concert at Museumplein, parties citywide, ferries free. 1 January: most everything closed, but the New Year’s dive takes place at Zandvoort beach from 12:00 to 15:00. For more on Amsterdam in winter, see our winter guide.
Where to Stay at Christmas
- The Pulitzer Amsterdam (Prinsengracht) — historic canal-side luxury; full Christmas programming.
- The Hoxton (Herengracht) — buzzy, central, walking distance to Light Festival route.
- Hotel Estheréa — boutique on Singel canal; quaint Christmas decor.
- Soho House Amsterdam — chic and central.
- The Dylan Amsterdam — luxury hotel, home to the two-Michelin-star Restaurant Vinkeles.
- Pillows Anna van den Vondel — affordable boutique near Vondelpark.
- StayOkay Vondelpark — budget but excellent location.
December hotel prices usually sit below summer levels, but Christmas week itself pushes rates back up. Book early.
Christmas Day Trips from Amsterdam
- Haarlem — small charming Christmas market, 13-15 minutes by direct train from Amsterdam Centraal.
- Maastricht — a major Christmas market in the far south; it’s one of the longer trips from Amsterdam, so check journey times in the NS planner before you go.
- Valkenburg — "Christmas Town" (Kerststad Valkenburg, 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027): Christmas markets inside the Gemeentegrot and Fluweelengrot caves, illuminations and a Santa’s Village above ground. A similarly long trip south, so worth an overnight.
- Bruges (Belgium) — magical at Christmas; see our Bruges day trip guide.
- The Hague — Royal Christmas Fair in the courtyard of the Binnenhof.
Practical Tips
- Book accommodation 4-6 months ahead for the week between Christmas and New Year — Amsterdam fills up.
- Book Anne Frank House & Rijksmuseum tickets weeks ahead for Christmas week visits.
- Bring an empty reusable cup for mulled wine — some stalls charge a deposit on their mugs.
- Cash for markets — carry some cash as well as a card for small purchases.
- Sunset around 16:30 — plan light-festival walks for after dark, but arrive early before crowds.
- New Year’s Eve: the centre is loud and crowded after dark, even with consumer fireworks banned. Avoid it if you’re noise-sensitive or with anxious pets.
The canal installations are a separate event from the Christmas lighting, and a better one — see our Amsterdam Light Festival guide for dates and routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Christmas market season start in Amsterdam?
The Light Festival opens late November; major Christmas markets begin in early December and run until 30 December.
Is Amsterdam worth visiting at Christmas?
Absolutely — the Light Festival, Christmas markets, ice skating, and atmospheric canals make it one of the prettiest European cities in winter. Less "Christmassy" than Germany’s big markets but more atmospheric overall.
Does it snow in Amsterdam at Christmas?
Occasionally but not reliably. Temperatures are usually 1-7°C with rain more common than snow.
How long is the Amsterdam Light Festival?
About 8 weeks — late November through mid-January.
Are restaurants open on Christmas Day?
Many close, but quite a few hotels and central restaurants open with a Christmas menu. Book 4-6 weeks ahead.
What’s the difference between Sinterklaas and Christmas?
Sinterklaas (5 December) is the Dutch original gift-giving holiday — families exchange presents that night. Christmas (25-26 December) is celebrated separately with religious observance, big family meals, and a calmer mood.
Final Thoughts
Christmas in Amsterdam is a slower, more atmospheric celebration than in many big European cities — fewer giant choreographed shows, more candlelit canals and quiet ice rinks. The Light Festival is the one to plan your trip around; the Museumplein market and ice rink are the iconic Instagram experience; Sinterklaas brings local colour you won’t see at home. Pack warmly, book ahead, and let the short days show you what the Dutch mean by gezelligheid (cosiness).
For more, see our Seasonal Amsterdam pillar, our winter guide, and our New Year’s Eve guide.
Related Amsterdam guides
- Amsterdam markets guide — Albert Cuyp, Noordermarkt, Bloemenmarkt and the rest, ranked.
- Canal cruises compared — which boat is worth the money.
Photo Credits
- Christmas tree outside Amsterdam Centraal: Christmas tree Amsterdam central station 2014 by Steven Lek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Christmas lights by Nieuwmarkt: 2024 – Photo of the street Koningsstraat and square Nieuwmarkt with Christmas lights by night in Amsterdam city in winter – free image of street photography in The Netherlands by Fons Heijnsbroek by Fons Heijnsbroek, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Skating on Museumplein: AmsterdamMuseumplein03 by Henk Bezemer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Blue installations across the canal: Amsterdam Light Festival 2020, foto 1 by Alf van Beem, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.