Amsterdam does winter beautifully. The canals glow with light art, Museumplein fills with wooden chalets and skaters, and the Dutch celebrate twice, with Sinterklaas in early December and Christmas later in the month. Days are short and often damp, but the city is at its most atmospheric in the dark. Here is what is on in late 2026, with dates and practical tips.

Sinterklaas

For Dutch children the main festival is not Christmas but Sinterklaas. On Sunday 15 November 2026, Sinterklaas arrives in Amsterdam by steamboat along the Amstel, landing at Het Scheepvaartmuseum at about 11.30am. From 1pm he parades on horseback from the Stopera at Waterlooplein via the Rembrandtplein and the Utrechtsestraat to Leidseplein, where he greets the children in the afternoon. It is free to watch, and very crowded. The festival ends on 5 December, pakjesavond, when families exchange presents.

Amsterdam Light Festival

The highlight of the season is the Amsterdam Light Festival, now in its 15th edition, from Thursday 26 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027. Around 20 light artworks are placed above, beside and in the canals of the city centre on a new route, and they are lit every day from 4.30pm to 11pm, closing at 9pm on New Year’s Eve.

  • By boat. The artworks are designed to be seen from the water. Festival cruises take about 75 minutes, depart roughly every half hour between 4.30pm and 9.30pm, and start at €29.75, with children aged 4 to 12 at half price. Choose a heated, covered boat on cold nights or an open boat with blankets for the best views.
  • On foot. The walking route is 4.5 km and can be done in sections. Viewing the art from the street is free; the festival app with a route map and audio guide costs a few euros.

Weekend and holiday evenings sell out, so book cruises early.

Christmas markets

  • Christmas Village, Museumplein. Amsterdam’s largest Christmas market, now in its tenth year, runs from 3 to 27 December 2026 in front of the Rijksmuseum, with more than 45 vendors, mulled wine and food stalls. It opens from noon to 9pm until 24 December, noon to 7pm on 25 and 26 December and noon to 6pm on 27 December. Entry is free.
  • Ice rink, Museumplein. Skate against the backdrop of the Rijksmuseum from 24 October 2026 to 16 January 2027; tickets with a time slot start at €8, with skate rental extra.
  • Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs, RAI. The largest winter event in the Netherlands, indoors and out at the RAI convention centre from 17 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, with ice rinks, rides, a Ferris wheel and shows. Admission is ticketed.
  • Smaller markets. A winter market on Leidseplein from mid-November, the Funky Xmas Market at the Westergas on Sunday 20 December and the Maker Market at the Centrale Markthal before Christmas are popular with locals.

Christmas and New Year

Most museums stay open over Christmas, often with shorter hours. The Van Gogh Museum opens from 9am to 5pm on 24, 25 and 26 December and from 11am on New Year’s Day, while the Rijksmuseum opens every day. The Anne Frank House closes at 5pm on 25 and 31 December, and the Rembrandt House and Our Lord in the Attic close on Christmas Day. Book Christmas Day dinner well ahead, as many restaurants close or serve set menus.

New Year’s Eve, Oud en Nieuw, is loud. Locals eat oliebollen, deep-fried dough balls with powdered sugar, and at midnight the city erupts with fireworks; the area around the Amstel and the Magere Brug is popular. Public transport runs reduced services that evening, so plan your journey home.

Practical tips

  • Sunset is before 4.30pm in December, so plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and the lights for the evening.
  • Bring waterproof layers and good shoes: winter weather in Amsterdam is usually wet and windy rather than snowy.
  • Hotels fill up over Christmas and New Year; book early and remember the 12.5% tourist tax on top of room rates.
  • Try seasonal treats such as oliebollen, pepernoten and warm chocolate milk with whipped cream.