The 10 Things To Do During the Christmas Season in Amsterdam blog post was first published on Culture Tourist in December 2019 and updated on 5 December 2025.
With its fairytale gabled houses, canals and lovely Christmas traditions, Amsterdam is one of my favourite places during the holiday season. There are so many places to see and events to go to during that time of the year. To make the most out of it, here is my Amsterdam holiday guide with 10 things to do during the Christmas season in Amsterdam.
Christmas in Amsterdam
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Although beautiful at any time of year, Amsterdam becomes especially magical during the Christmas season. It looks even more historical, almost as if you’ve stepped into some past time. Snow and frozen canals might not be that common anymore, but the Christmas lights create a perfect setting for the festive time in Amsterdam.
If you are visiting the Dutch capital in December and were wondering what to do during the Christmas time in Amsterdam, keep on reading for my recommendations.
⤷ Read more: Christmas Traditions in Europe
1 – Visit the Amsterdam Light Festival
Light Festival is an annual event in Amsterdam held from mid-November to mid-January. Artists from all around the world create light installations that are scattered alongside Amsterdam canals during the two months. The best way to see them is on one of the special Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise boats or by taking a walk alongside the canals.
⤷ 2025 Update: This year, Amsterdam Light Festival is taking place between 27 November 2025 and 18 January 2026. Check out this link for the various options of the ALF canal cruises.
2 – Join the Sinterklaas celebration
The holiday season in Amsterdam starts with the arrival of Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) on the third Sunday in November. Each year, a huge celebration is organised in Amsterdam and other Dutch towns. And you can be sure you’ll leave it with your pockets filled with small traditional Dutch cookies, pepernoten. It’s one of the most beloved Dutch holidays and Amsterdam’s festive celebrations.
⤷ Read more: Christmas Presents From or Inspired by Amsterdam
3 – Try some oliebollen
If snowdrops are the first signs of spring, then trucks selling oliebollen are the early signs of the Christmas season in Amsterdam. Oliebollen are similar to doughnuts; the only difference is that they are made in the shape of a boll. They’re often flavoured with apple filling or served with a bunch of powdered sugar.
They taste like heaven, but be careful because they’re pretty high in calories. However, be sure to try them at least once during the Christmas season in Amsterdam.
4 – Go ice skating during Christmas time in Amsterdam
In December, Amsterdam becomes home to several ice skating rinks. The most beautiful one is a part of ICE* Village, located on Museumplein close to some of the most famous Amsterdam museums, like the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum. It opens to visitors already at the end of November. After ice skating, you can enjoy a cup of mulled wine or hot chocolate at an open-air cafe next to it.
One of the largest ice skating rinks in Amsterdam is Jaap Eden, with an outdoor 400-metre rink. It’s a bit outside the city centre, but it’s worth visiting to enjoy ice skating and putting yourself in a Christmas mood in Amsterdam.
5 – Enjoy beautiful Christmas lights in Amsterdam
Each year, Amsterdam becomes more and more illuminated during the holiday season. You can find some of the most beautiful Christmas lights at Damrak, Dam Square and Museumplein.
“Turn on the lights” event at De Bijenkorf department store on the Dam Square symbolically marks the beginning of the holiday season in Amsterdam. Although it still cannot compete with the decoration of department stores in Paris or London, it’s definitely getting closer to them each year. So be sure to walk next to De Bijenkorf one evening and enjoy the Christmas decorations there, too.
6 – Visit Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs 2025
RAI in Amsterdam is transformed into a magical winter fairytale during the last two weeks of the year. With real snow and a winter landscape, it becomes one of the best places for Christmas activities in Amsterdam. It also becomes home to the Netherlands’ largest ice skating rink.
Besides music events and winter activities, it also hosts a Ferris wheel from which you can enjoy a fantastic view of Amsterdam.
⤷ 2025 Update: Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs is open between 13 December 2025 and 3 January 2026 this year. If you’re planning to visit it, buy your online ticket in advance.
7 – Enjoy a cup of warm chocolate with whipped cream
A warm chocolate with whipped cream served in a festive cup is an Amsterdam Christmas classic. Find a cosy cafe, get some warm chocolate, listen to the Christmas music and enjoy the view of a decorated city. It can’t get better than that when it comes to spending the Christmas holidays in Amsterdam.
⤷ Read more: Christmas in Art – The Most Beautiful Christmas-Themed Artworks
8 – Visit Amsterdam Christmas Markets
During December, Amsterdam becomes home to several Christmas markets.
On Sunday, 14 December 2025, a special edition of Museum Market is organised at Museumplein. Designers and artists from all over the Netherlands sell their artworks there. It’s a great place to buy Christmas decorations or presents made by local producers. You’ll find more info about it here.
The Christmas edition of the Pure Markt will be held on Sunday, 21 December 2025, at Park Frankendael. You’ll find excellent food from around the world there, homemade jams and other yummy dishes. Stands selling beautiful clothes, jewellery and toys will be there, as well. For more info about Winter Pure Markt, take a look here!
A special edition of Sunday Market called Funky Xmas Market is held at Westergasfabriek on Sunday, 21 December 2025. For more info about it, take a look here!
Located next to the Stadshart shopping mall, the Christmas market in Amstelveen is held between 29 November 2025 and 4 January 2026. It’s home to a 400 m2 ice skating rink, delicious hot chocolate with whipped cream, and visits by Pieten and Disney princesses. For more info about Winter Village in Amstelveen, take a look here.
⤷ Read more: Christmas Markets in the Netherlands with 2024 Agenda
9 – Join one of my guided tours at the Rijksmuseum during the Christmas holidays
Museums are especially festive during the holiday season. With a beautiful Christmas tree and decorations, the Rijksmuseum is one of my favourite places to go. If you’re in Amsterdam during Christmas time, be sure to dress up and pay a visit to the Rijksmuseum on 24 or 26 December.
The visit will put you in a lovely holiday spirit. Watch my Rijksmuseum video before your visit to learn more about some of the fantastic Rijksmuseum highlights.
If you’d like to make your visit especially festive, join one of my Rijksmuseum tours during December 2025. You can check here some of the Culture Tourist private museum tours. Or, book a spot on one of my small group Rijksmuseum tours here.
⤷ Read more: 10 things you didn’t know about the Rijksmuseum
10 – Buy Christmas cards inspired by Amsterdam
If you’d like to share the Christmas spirit of Amsterdam with your loved ones, send some Christmas cards inspired by Amsterdam to your friends and family. These Christmas cards are special because you can colour them and adjust them to your taste. I made them and printed them in the Netherlands, so you’re also getting a unique local product.
You can read more about the Culture Tourist’s Christmas cards here.
⤷ TIP: Would you like to visit some other Dutch cities that are especially beautiful during the Christmas time? Visit Haarlem, Maastricht or Rotterdam.
With this list of things to do during the Christmas season in Amsterdam, you’re all set up for spending a lovely festive holiday in the Dutch capital. The only thing we should still hope for is some snow to have a perfect white Christmas.
Have you ever been to Amsterdam during the Christmas season? What are some of your favourite things to see and do there during the most wonderful time of the year?
