Visiting Amsterdam in December is a magical experience for any visitor. The city is a winter wonderland, with dark nights enlivened by bright festive lighting and cozy bars. The Sinterklaas festivities in late November help kick off a month of seasonal festivities. Christmas itself is soon followed by New Year fireworks to end the month with a literal bang.
Seasonal Weather
Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s winter weather will be the most challenging part of any December visit for anyone not used to harsh winters. Expect it to be cold and wet, dress appropriately, and you’ll be fine. Temperatures range from highs around 43°F to lows that dip to 36°F.
However, it can feel much colder due to the humidity and biting winds off the North Sea. While you’ll see frost on early mornings, snow is very unlikely but possible. Do be prepared for rain, most often a light drizzle, with a good jacket, perhaps a compact umbrella, and waterproof shoes.
Dam Square
Days are short, which does give you more time to appreciate the city’s widespread December light displays. Bring a power bank to keep your phone charged, as it drains faster in cold weather and when taking lots of video and photos.
Christmas Shopping
Snow globes
If you’re looking for big Christmas markets, Amsterdam is not the place. For that, you need to visit Germany, Austria, or Prague. However, the whole pedestrian-friendly center of Amsterdam does become a seasonal delight in December.
The centuries-old buildings, many of them home to artisanal shops, light up with Christmas displays. There are plenty of specialist stores offering everything from clothing to handmade crafts. That makes it a joy to go looking for a unique gift for anyone. Here are some of the best places to shop.
De Negen Straatjes
De Negen Straatjes
Start in the “Nine Streets,” an area within the main Canal Zone where Amsterdam is at its most picturesque. There are independent boutiques and specialty shops galore, perfect for gift-shopping at any time of year. At Christmas, the shops here make a special effort with their displays. The whole area is also beautifully lit in the evenings to give a truly magical holiday feel.
De Bijenkorf
De Bijenkorf Photo by qwesy qwesy on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 3.0
If you do want a department store—a rarity in Amsterdam—De Bijenkorf on Dam Square goes all out with its elaborate seasonal window displays. It has a lovely, old-fashioned feel to it that makes for a quintessential Christmas shopping experience.
De Bijenkorf means “The Beehive,” and its six floors are even more dazzling the closer it is to Christmas. It’s very upmarket, specializing in well-curated designer brands, and is known for its quality.
Weekend Markets
Albert Cuyp Market
Check out the Sunday Market at Noordemarkt in Jordaan for vintage finds and antiques. The famous Albert Cuyp Market is great for the best in Amsterdam’s street food and for interesting local gifts.
December Events
Sinterklaas
Sinterklaas is a bigger deal in the Netherlands than Christmas, peaking with a family gift-giving day on December 5. The festivities start in mid-November with a large parade and carry on. Traditional treats associated with Sinterklaas include Pepernoten, gingerbread-style spiced cookies; Kruidnoten, smaller spiced biscuits; and marzipan. They used to be scattered freely by Saint Nicholas and his helpers, but are now more hygienically wrapped in small packets.
Amsterdam Light Festival
Amsterdam Light Festival
From late November to late January, dark winter nights are brightened by a series of light sculptures along the city’s canals. Carefully chosen sites maximize the impact of reflection from the water of these works by international artists. The sight is best seen from specialized boat tours, but you can also easily find a walking route map. The boats have a commentary and a specific route, but quickly sell out.
Ice Skating at Museumplein
Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Rijksmuseum, the Museumplein ice rink is a seasonal must. It’s very festive, with music, food stalls, and a great atmosphere.
Ice skating in Amsterdam canal
To see the Dutch take to the ice, you’d think they were born on skates. When the canals or the Vondelpark ponds freeze over, people of all ages join the fun.
New Year’s Eve
Amsterdam canal
If you love fireworks, it could be worth planning to spend late December in Amsterdam. The 31st has a massive public fireworks display to welcome in the New Year. Packed with party-goers, the city center is chaotic, loud, and exciting. The traditional snack for the occasion is oliebollen, which you’ll find on street food stalls.
Read: Amsterdam Travel Tips
A Wealth of Museums
Any cold and wet weather makes for the perfect reason to spend extra time in the incredible museums Amsterdam is known for. From Old Masters to the latest in contemporary art, there’s a wide choice.
Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum
The famous home of Rembrandt’s The Night Watch has many other treasures to see. The good news is that in December, tickets are easier to find outside the peak summer season. To take a break from the wonderful art, enjoy the lively museum café for lunch or a coffee. The Rijksmuseum shop is also a great place to pick up unusual gifts for the artistic souls in your life.
Van Gogh Museum
Van Gogh Museum
This unparalleled collection of Van Gogh’s work draws the crowds, but again, December is a good month for tickets. Book online in advance, or join a guided tour for easier access. Highlights include The Potato Eaters and Women on the Peat Moor, two of Van Gogh’s earliest paintings. Two more famous works are Wheatfield with Crows and, of course, Sunflowers.
Anne Frank House
Anne Frank House
A visit to the Secret Annex, where the teenage Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis, is a profoundly moving experience. Book online, or sign up for a guided tour. Anne Frank celebrated Christmas 1943 in the house, enjoying some moments of happiness after more than a year of hiding. So December is an especially poignant time to visit, especially when you read her diary entries for the month.
Stedelijk Museum
Stedelijk Museum Photo by Hpschaefer on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
For modern and contemporary art lovers, the Stedelijk is another must-see art museum in Amsterdam. Highlights include art by names such as Jackson Pollock, Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Piet Mondrian, and Willem de Kooning. The museum is much less crowded than the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum, and even less so in December. It has the best collection of Pop Art, Color Field Painting, and Minimalism in Europe.
Hearty Food and Spirits
December is prime time for Dutch comfort food and seasonal treats.
Oliebollen
Oliebollen
These deep-fried dough balls, similar to doughnut holes—or Timbits for Canadians—are the quintessential Dutch December treat. Often filled with raisins or apples, they are dusted with powdered sugar. From mid-December onwards, temporary stalls, or oliebollenkramen, appear all over the city. You can also find them in bakeries—a line outside is always a good sign.
Stamppot
Stamppot
This hearty dish of mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables such as kale or sauerkraut is great winter fuel. It’s served with a smoked sausage and is best in a brown café.
Stroopwafels
Stroopwafels
Stroopwafels—those waffle-like caramel-filled cookies—are a year-round treat. In December, they are best freshly made and eaten while still warm from a market street stall.
Poffertjes
Poffertjes
These small, fluffy pancakes make a great casual breakfast or snack on cold days. Eat them with hot chocolate or a few cups of coffee.
Read: What to Eat in Amsterdam
Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate
Another warming winter treat is a rich, thick Dutch hot chocolate. Even more sinfully, it’s usually served with a generous topping of whipped cream.
Jenever Tasting
Jenever
Nothing will warm you on cold evenings like a shot of Dutch gin. Visit a proeflokaal or tasting house such as Wynand Fockink for a unique experience.
Cozy Nights
Brown Cafés
Brown café in Amsterdam Photo by Gerd Eichmann on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Bruine Kroegen are traditional Dutch pubs with dark wood interiors that could have been designed for the Christmas season. Their cozy, welcoming feel is the epitome of gezelligheid—the Dutch word for coziness and good company. The ideal is to set yourself up in a corner with a local beer or jenever—Dutch gin—and a group of friends. Among the most characterful pubs are In ‘t Aepjen and ‘t Vliegertje, while my favorite is Café De Dokter.
Winter Terraces
Café in Amsterdam
In winter, many Dutch bars and restaurants have outdoor spaces equipped with blankets and heat lamps. It’s a lovely contrast to huddle in the warmth with a drink, yet still feel the cold outside. As with any city, the better restaurants will need a reservation for dinner. December is a prime month for office parties and family outings, so it’s even more essential then.
Canal Strolls at Dusk
Amsterdam canal
With the sun setting as early as 4 p.m. in December, a stroll around Amsterdam’s canals at dusk is a delight. The city’s many lights, reflecting on the dark canal water, make for great images. Already picturesque historic areas such as Jordaan or the Nine Streets are especially enchanting. As well as the Light Festival, many such neighborhoods have their own seasonal light displays.
FAQs
Is it better to visit Amsterdam in early or late December?
Dam Square
Early in the month is less crowded, while the Light Festival and other seasonal events will still have started. The Sinterklaas festivities, which peak on December 5, are also a fun thing to experience.
Later in December, most oliebollen stands start to open, and the Christmas spirit is generally more obvious. The New Year fireworks are fantastic, but many places shut down over Christmas itself.
In summary, the period from December 10 through 23 is the best time to have the best of the month. You can fully experience the lights, atmosphere, and Christmas spirit without the crowds of that final week up to the New Year.
What should I pack for Amsterdam in December?
Amsterdam canal
The must-haves for December start with waterproof shoes, a jacket, and layered warm clothing. It will be very cold outside, often wet, but warm and cozy indoors, so you’ll be shedding outside layers often. Have a small bag to keep those extra layers, plus extras such as an umbrella or power bank. Lip balm and moisturizer are also worth carrying against the cold and wind.
Are there indoor activities for very cold or snowy days?
Rijksmuseum
Yes, during December in Amsterdam, its museums are an obvious refuge to escape the weather. Besides the well-known ones listed above, check out places such as the wonderful Maritime Museum or the Museum of the Canals.
You also have hundreds of interesting Amsterdam shops, cafés, and restaurants to explore. De Foodhallen is an indoor food market with dozens of stalls, while you’ll find a covered shopping area on Kalverstraat.
Amsterdam canal
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