– This post was written by Oscar O’Connor –
Christmas in Amsterdam is always a bit magical – its
Sweet smells of freshly baked goodies waft warmly on the nippy air, cyclists quickly learn the merits of mittens, and true to form, there is something quirky and fun happening on every corner in the Dutch capital. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy Christmas in Amsterdam in 2023.
Skip to a section
1. Experience the Amsterdam Light Festival
Arguably the highlight of the city’s festive calendar is the spectacular Amsterdam Light Festival. This one-of-a-kind festival turns the city’s sleepy canal ring into a glittering canvas of light and art.
Each year, 30 dazzling thematic light sculptures designed by Dutch and international artists are dotted around the canals and bridges, sending bright colors cascading across the water, and creating a truly enchanting ambiance throughout the city, a must-do if you are in Amsterdam during Christmas.
The best way to savour the sparkling spectacle is aboard an evening canal cruise. You’ll float through tunnels of shimmering light and sail by mesmerising art installations. If this doesn’t kickstart your holiday spirit, you may need to schedule an appointment with a triplet of time-travelling Christmas ghosts…
Top Tip: There are several launch points throughout Amsterdam (Central Station, Oosterdock, and Noord), making a canal cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival super convenient.
2. Go for a spin at the Rijks-Skating Rink
A foolproof way to un-Scrooge yourself for Christmas in Amsterdam 2023 is to go for a spin with Ice*Amsterdam, an ice rink outside the magnificent Rijksmuseum.
With cheesy Christmas classics belting out across the ice, every graceful pirouette and wobbly “I-meant-to-do-that” skid will feel all the more memorable under the gaze of the museum’s fairy-tale facade.
Please note: Unfortunately, Ice*Amsterdam will be closed in 2023, but you can still visit the magical Ice Village Christmas Market on Museumplein from December 13 to December 26 to get your festive fix!
3. Browse a Christmas market in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of many European cities that host annual Christmas markets during the entire holiday season. There are dozens of weekly outdoor markets around the city throughout the year, so it’s little surprise that when the festive season rolls around, there’s no shortage of incredible Amsterdam Christmas markets to enjoy in 2023.
There’s the Funky Christmas Market which takes the place of the monthly market at the Westergasfabriek area beside the city’s beautiful Westerpark. Check out some theater performances, live music, demos, workshops, and tastings.
For a slightly more neon-lit festive extravaganza, head over to the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center, where the Amsterdam Winter Paradise will be held. Somewhere between a Christmas market and a festive fun fair, there are indoor and outdoor ice-skating rinks, seasonal dance parties, festive food galore, and a gigantic Ferris wheel!
Continuing the Christmas carnival theme is the Museumplein Ice Village. Imagine a Christmas market and adjust your color settings to rainbow mode! Amsterdam’s famous museum square transforms into a wintery wonderland of multicolored lights, festive food trucks, mulled wine, craft beer, handmade Christmas gifts & clothing, and one big party atmosphere.
Top Tip: While you are at it, squeeze in a fix of culture with Golden Age masterpieces, and modern art marvels a stone’s throw away.
4. Attend a Christmas concert at Concertgebouw
Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw is considered by those in the know to be among the top five concert halls in the world. Architecturally breathtaking and acoustically mind-blowing, the Concertgebouw plays host to some of the most spellbinding orchestral music, as well as astonishing jazz, chamber, pop, and world music concerts throughout the year.
The Christmas season squeezes every drop of magic out of this incredible venue, with hauntingly beautiful Christmas concerts that fill the world-class auditorium with ethereal choral music and jolly holiday carols.
Top Tip: If a symphony performance isn’t your thing, there are also Christmas carol concerts and seasonal ballets to make your Christmas visit to Amsterdam extra special.
5. Get your hands on some oliebollen
You know it’s Christmas in the Netherlands when festive-themed pop-up
Peddling all manner of freshly-baked waffles, pastries, and sweets, you might feel spoiled for choice when you rock up to sample the goods at a Hollandse bakerij. However
If you’re not familiar with
Top Tip: Oliebollen comes in a variety of flavors – filled with chocolate or custard, or stuffed with raisins or apple. Go with the traditional powdered sugar on top if you aren’t sure what to choose. Just make sure you eat them while they are warm!
6. Turn on the lights at Dam Square
Every year, the city of Amsterdam partners with one of the biggest luxury shopping centers in the city to put on “Turn on the Lights”. During the 2023 Christmas season, locals and visitors will gather in Dam Square for the symbolic kick-off to the holiday (and shopping) season.
Traditionally cut from the Ardennes in Germany, the giant coniferous tree towers over spectators at a whopping 20 meters high. Laced with 40,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs, this festive spectacle stands majestically in front of the Royal Palace in the heart of Amsterdam.
Food stalls serving up traditional treats like poffertjes and oliebollen, throngs of carolers, and even a fireworks show mark the start of Christmas in Amsterdam.
Top Tip: During the month of December, many stores will be open late – some until 22:00 – so you can squeeze in some shopping while spending Christmas in the Netherlands.
7. Get cozy with the critters at ARTIS Royal Zoo
Deck the halls at the oldest zoo in the Netherlands – ARTIS Royal Zoo – which hosts a menagerie of animals year-round. Unlike the human species, the fauna at ARTIS prepares for Christmas in the Netherlands in a different way.
Learn all about how animals and plants sense winter is coming – which animals hibernate during the winter, which animals thrive in the cold, and how plants conserve energy during the chillier months. Only offered on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, book an exclusive winter tour with a knowledgeable zoo keeper.
Top Tip: Get the kids out of the house and make new Christmas traditions with a family-friendly trip to the zoo, open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
8. Spend a winter evening at Muiderslot Castle
Visit a castle fit for “Good King Wencelas” himself with a special trip to Muiderslot Castle, located within an hour of Amsterdam’s city center. Celebrate the season right with a festive agenda full of winter-themed events so you can keep the Christmas spirit flowing all through December.
Watch the stony exterior of the castle transform to welcome Sinterklaas, have dinner prepared inside the castle, witness a live performance of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, or enjoy a holiday show performed by the Amsterdam Christmas Choir.
Top Tip: To get to Muiderslot Castle from Amsterdam Central Station, take the train towards Almere Oostvaarders and alight at Weesp. From there, take the bus toward Muiden Centrum and walk 10-15 minutes to the castle.
9. Welcome Sinterklaas to town
A distant relative of Santa Claus, Sinterklaas arrives in Amsterdam to celebrate the start of the Christmas season at the beginning of December.
Children and their families line the canals of Amsterdam to catch a peek of Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas). According to legend, Sinterklaas arrives on a steam engine from Spain and visits most major Dutch cities in the Netherlands in time for St. Nicholas Day on December 5th.
While the arrival of Santa Claus on December 25th is recognized by about half of Dutch families, the Sinterklaas celebration on December 5th is what the Dutch children look forward to most.
Traditions include a parade of Sinterklaas’ helpers (pietes) smeared with soot, as well as setting out one’s shoes by the fireplace in hopes that treats and toys will fill them by morning.
Top Tip: Indulge in other treats surrounding Sinterklaas’ arrival, like pepernoten (mini ginger biscuits) and alphabet letters made from chocolate. Pick your first initial, or go with the traditional “S” for Sinterklaas or “P” for Piete.
10. Celebrate Second Christmas on December 26th
Also known as Boxing Day in the UK and other parts of the English-speaking world, the Dutch double up on merry-making while celebrating Christmas in the Netherlands.
Throughout the country, Second Christmas is traditionally recognized on December 26th, the day after Christmas Day. For many Dutch families, this means spending time with family, feasting on festive fare, telling Christmas stories, or watching seasonal movies at home.
But, if you are a visitor in Amsterdam during Christmas, Second Christmas is a good excuse to double down on this list of Dutch holiday favorites. That’s a wrap!
Top Tip: A surprising number of places are open on Christmas (December 25) and Second Christmas (December 26), including the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, ARTIS Royal Zoo, and the National Maritime Museum. Before heading out, check the locations and opening hours for each venue.
English
Spanish
Italian
Dutch
Portuguese
French
German
Japanese
Chinese (Simplified)