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Your ultimate Christmas travel guide to Amsterdam

Christmas in Amsterdam brings quiet canals lined with sparkling lights, lively markets serving warm treats, and streets filled with simple, charming decorations. The city feels calm but festive, making it easy to enjoy museums, winter walks, and nighttime canals that glow beautifully in December.

Why visit Amsterdam during Christmas

Christmas in Amsterdam - Why Spend Christmas in Amsterdam?
  • Markets add a cheerful holiday buzz: You’ll find Christmas markets tucked into squares, with stalls selling crafts, warm treats, and handmade gifts that bring a lively charm to the colder evenings.
  • Iconic museums feel extra cozy in winter: Places like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum offer a peaceful break from the cold, letting you enjoy world famous art in warm, welcoming galleries.
  • The city is full of festive decorations: You’ll see glowing bridges, beautifully lit streets, and decorated squares that make Amsterdam during Christmas feel bright and joyful from morning to night.
  • The Amsterdam Light Festival adds magic to the season: Spectacular artworks appear along the canals, turning nightly cruises into a dreamy journey of color and creativity during the peak Christmas season.
  • Great winter walks across the city: Strolling through Jordaan, Nine Streets, or Museumplein lets you enjoy holiday lights, quiet cafés, and charming views that make Amsterdam at Christmas time feel peaceful.

Top things to do

Amsterdam canal cruise passing under illuminated rainbow arch during Light Festival.
Rijksmuseum facade at sunset in Amsterdam, part of Skip the Line tour with 24 hr Hop On Hop Off Bus.
A'DAM Lookout tower overlooking Amsterdam at dusk with city lights and river.
Van Gogh Museum entrance in Amsterdam with modern architecture.
Christmas market in Amsterdam with festive decorations and ornaments.
Child ice skating in Amsterdam with Christmas lights and tree in the background.
Heineken Experience entrance in Amsterdam.
Couple sitting on a bench by a canal in Jordaan, Amsterdam, with bicycles and historic buildings nearby.
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Enjoy an Amsterdam Light Festival cruise

A canal cruise during the Amsterdam Light Festival feels truly magical at Christmas. You drift past glowing art installations on the water, softly lit bridges, and mirrored reflections dancing beneath the stars, all while wrapped in the soft warmth of a blanket in a heated boat.

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Visit the Rijksmuseum for a calm winter escape

The Rijksmuseum feels extra peaceful during Christmas, with calm galleries, soft lighting, and quiet corners where you can warm up from the cold. You move past Dutch masterpieces at your own pace while festive decorations outside create a gentle contrast to the museum’s timeless, steady atmosphere.

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See Amsterdam from above at A’DAM Lookout

Around Christmas, A’DAM Lookout offers a calm moment above the festive rush. From the viewing deck, you watch the canals shine, Museumplein glow with winter decorations, and tiny holiday markets twinkle across the city. The cool breeze makes the whole scene feel fresh and bright.

More about the tower

Explore the Van Gogh Museum in a warm setting

Around Christmas, the Van Gogh Museum feels calm and reflective. The warm indoor lighting brings out the textures in Van Gogh’s works, and the quieter winter crowds allow you to admire each painting fully. A walk across the decorated Museumplein completes the visit beautifully.

Visit Van Gogh Museum

Wander through Amsterdam’s Christmas markets

Walking through Amsterdam Christmas markets is a sensory delight. Twinkling lights, handcrafted gifts, and the smell of spiced treats fill the air. Every market has its own rhythm and decorations, and hopping from one to another shows off the city’s charming holiday personality.

Go ice skating at Ice*Amsterdam in Museumplein

Ice*Amsterdam at Christmas is full of charm. The rink sparkles under festive lights, the air smells faintly of warm treats from nearby stalls, and the iconic Rijksmuseum stands proudly behind. Skating here adds fun and motion to your Amsterdam winter wonderland adventure.

Enjoy a cozy indoor afternoon at Heineken Experience

The Heineken Experience feels especially inviting during Christmas. Outside, festive lights brighten the building, and inside, the interactive tour, tasting sessions, and engaging exhibits provide a lively, cozy break from the cold, making it a highlight of Amsterdam Christmas activities.

Know more Heineken's brewing history

Take a winter walk through Jordaan and Nine Streets

Jordaan and the Nine Streets glow with holiday charm during Christmas. Twinkling lights line the canals and bridges, cozy cafés invite you in with warm drinks, and small shops offer handmade gifts, creating a peaceful and festive stroll through Amsterdam’s most charming neighborhoods.

Your perfect Christmas itinerary

Colorful light installation over Amsterdam canal during Light Festival.

Morning:

  • Begin with a warm breakfast at a Jordaan café while watching the foggy streets and festive window displays.

Afternoon:

  • Explore the Rijksmuseum at a relaxed pace and admire Dutch masterpieces in the soft winter daylight.
  • Warm up with soup or light bites at a nearby café before continuing your museum visit.

Evening:

  • Take an Amsterdam Light Festival cruise and watch glowing artworks reflect beautifully on the calm canal waters.
  • End the night with a cozy stroll back through Jordaan or along Museumplein’s festive corners.
A'dam Lookout tower with river view in Amsterdam.

Morning:

  • Start Christmas morning walking through Nine Streets with quiet canals and decorated shopfronts.
  • Visit a Christmas market nearby and browse stalls filled with ornaments, gifts, and seasonal treats.

Afternoon:

  • Take the free IJ ferry to A’DAM Lookout for panoramic city views sparkling with winter lights.
  • Pause for photos and take in the crisp winter sky stretching over Amsterdam’s glowing canals.

Evening:

  • Walk through Dam Square to see the large Christmas tree Amsterdam displays every year with festive flair.
  • Visit Ice*Amsterdam at Museumplein for skating fun or to watch skaters surrounded by lights and decorations.

Know before you go

  • December in Amsterdam is chilly with wind through the canals, so dress in layers including a hat, gloves, and scarf.
  • Weather can include rain or occasional snow, so waterproof boots and a compact umbrella help you stay comfortable during winter walks.
  • Popular Christmas markets like Museumplein and Rembrandtplein get very crowded; plan to visit on morning or weekdays to avoid peak crowds.
  • Public transport is reliable, but expect changes on December 24 and 25, so check schedules for trams, buses, and trains.
  • Many smaller shops close early on Christmas Eve and remain shut on Christmas Day, so plan gift shopping accordingly.
  • Some restaurants offer limited holiday menus with fixed seating, so reserve early to guarantee a table for Christmas lunch or dinner.
  • Daylight hours are short in December, usually around 8:45am to 4:30pm, making evening canal walks perfect for Christmas lights photography.
  • Some popular viewpoints like A’DAM Lookout can be crowded in the late afternoon, so morning or early evening visits work best.

Extend your visit till New Year’s Eve

If you stay a little longer after Christmas in Amsterdam, the city becomes livelier as New Year’s Eve approaches. Streets brighten with celebrations, firework spots start filling early, and many cruises and parties open bookings for the night. It is a fun time to enjoy Amsterdam winter wonderland vibes before heading into the new year. Check our New Year’s Eve page for options!

Frequently asked questions about spending Christmas in Amsterdam

Is Christmas a good time to visit Amsterdam?

Yes, Christmas in Amsterdam is a warm and festive experience, with beautiful lights across the canals, cozy markets, and lots of indoor activities that make winter feel enjoyable and welcoming.

What should I do on Christmas Eve in Amsterdam?

You can visit the Light Festival, walk through Jordaan, enjoy a canal cruise, or explore museums during the day. Many restaurants offer special menus, so booking ahead helps.

Is Amsterdam crowded at Christmas time?

Popular spots like Dam Square, Museumplein, and major markets do get busy, but quieter areas like the canals and smaller neighborhoods feel calm and pleasant.

Are museums open on Christmas Day?

Some museums open on limited hours while others close completely. It is best to check each museum’s website before planning your Amsterdam Christmas day activities.

What are the best things to do in Amsterdam during Christmas?

Canal cruises, Christmas markets, museum visits, scenic winter walks, and the Amsterdam Light Festival are among the most popular choices.

Is public transport available on Christmas Day?

Yes, but schedules may be reduced. Trams and buses still operate, allowing you to move around the city easily.