Amsterdam is a dynamic vacation spot year-round, filled with distinctive city parks, world-class museums, nice meals, and lovely historic websites. On the holidays, this grand metropolis takes it to a different stage with seasonal performances, full of life Christmas markets, and lights in all places you look. Amsterdam in December is a dream.
We’ve had the great fortune to go to Amsterdam quite a few occasions and all the time take pleasure in uncovering a bit of extra of what town has to supply. Right here’s a have a look at what to do in December.
Go to the Christmas markets
If you happen to like Christmas lights, candy treats, and searching for souvenirs and items, there’s no higher place to go in Amsterdam in winter than town’s enjoyable Christmas markets. Whereas they don’t seem to be fairly as grand as markets in Germany or as distinctive because the cave market in Valkenburg, there’s a lot to like about these festive locations across the metropolis.
Don’t miss the Ice Village market within the coronary heart of town. Its 50 retailers create a enjoyable atmosphere filled with purchasing and consuming with nice views of the Rijksmuseum and near numerous the highest issues to see (the return of the well-known ice rink stays TBD after final 12 months’s hiatus). A bit of bit much less conventional, try Amsterdam Winter Paradise which is extra of a fun-fair occasion with snow tubing, rides, performances, and extra.
For one thing actually distinctive, we love the Funky Xmas market in Westergas in mid-December. With distinctive distributors, circus entertainers, and a full meals courtroom that includes worldwide dishes, there may be nothing cookie-cutter right here. While you go to, take the time to discover the complicated of 19th-century buildings that had been as soon as town gasoline plant and at the moment are breweries, boutiques, eating places, and a movie show.
Recognize the sunshine present
Each winter, the canals come alive with a collection of magnificent artwork installations. The Amsterdam Mild Pageant—now in its 13th season—brings collectively artists from everywhere in the world to create the hanging shows. Twenty totally different works concentrate on a selected theme (this 12 months, it’s rituals)—some are extra literal, others wildly summary.
The 2 methods to see the shows are on a narrated canal boat cruise or by following a digital map from the pageant organizers. We’ve performed each and suggest the stroll if you happen to’d prefer to have greater than a minute or two to see the works–the canal boats transfer shortly. Nevertheless, the cruise is handy if it’s wet otherwise you’re not in a strolling temper.
This 12 months, the pageant runs almost two months from November 28, 2024 by means of January 19, 2025.
Go ice skating
Whether or not you’re a talented spinner or simply studying to face up with out falling, ice skating is likely one of the prime issues to do in December in Amsterdam. The preferred rink is Jaap Eden in Park de Meer, which has indoor and out of doors areas in addition to a novices’ nook. Nearer to the middle, Rembrantplein has a rink the place you’ll discover numerous locals and other people studying to skate.
Take a canal cruise
Town’s most notable function is its canals, and there’s no higher technique to discover them than on a cruise. The cruise boats are lined and heated, so that you’re assured of being cozy for the 75-minute journey. You get to see Amsterdam from a novel vantage level and provides your toes a break after a day of sightseeing on the identical time. Boats depart from a number of choose factors within the metropolis, so discover the closest one and hop on.
Attempt olieballen
The Dutch donuts known as oliebollen (actually “oily balls”) are a favourite vacation indulgence. Crisp on the skin and comfortable on the within, they’re dusted with powdered sugar and sometimes come peppered with raisins or sultanas.
Historically eaten at New Yr’s, olieballen are extensively accessible all through Amsterdam in December. The Dutch take them critically—like pizza in Chicago or cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, there are frequent native rankings of the perfect ones, and everybody has their favorites. You’ll discover olieballen at meals stands and bakeries, which frequently have indicators letting clients know when the primary ones of the day will probably be accessible, so you’ll be able to guarantee the treats are contemporary and scrumptious.
See a present at Increase Chicago
From Seth Meyers and Amber Ruffin to Jordan Peele and the creators of Ted Lasso, Increase Chicago is called the coaching floor for many humorous folks. Watching an improv and sketch present right here is an interactive and entertaining expertise the place you may simply get to see the following Jason Sudeikis.
Make plans to attend one in all their reveals. Professional tip: reserve a sofa, if you happen to can. Their over-the-top Christmas area is our favourite place for a festive themed cocktail, and you’ll go to even if you happen to’re not going to a present.
Go to a museum
Amsterdam’s wet, chilly winter climate makes it a super time to make the most of town’s world-class museums.
If you happen to’re excited about artwork, go to the Van Gogh Museum to see over 700 of Van Gogh’s works plus work by artists who influenced him, together with Monet and Gauguin. Throughout the sq. is the Rijksmuseum, which homes the works of Rembrandt and hundreds of different artworks and artifacts from the fifteenth century to the current. For contemporary artwork, head to MOCO Museum for works by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Banksy, amongst others.
For one thing rather less formal, try the museums dedicated to grownup drinks. The Home of Bols is an interactive cocktail museum the place you’ll study in regards to the 400+ 12 months historical past of the Bols firm and about genever, the conventional spirit of the Netherlands. The final cease is the bar, which options all kinds of cocktails. In De Pijp, the previous 19th-century Heineken brewery is the house of the Heineken Expertise the place guests can study in regards to the firm’s historical past and style its well-known pilsner.
Maintain a watch out for Sinterklass
The presence of Sinterklass is a novel Dutch custom that begins in mid-November when the Santa-like character arrives by boat from Spain. He hangs out within the Netherlands till December 6th, when he departs, having left items in youngsters’s footwear.
Within the meantime, you’ll be able to see Sinterklass throughout Amsterdam and the remainder of the nation. It’s possible you’ll spot him strolling within the streets, showing at particular occasions, visiting youngsters in hospitals, or stopping in eating places or outlets. If you happen to don’t run into the person himself, conventional Sinterklaas sweet is in all places on the town.
See the Christmas tree in Dam Sq.
The Christmas tree in Dam Sq. is synonymous with town through the holidays. In an annual custom, a large tree from the German Ardennes is roofed with an unbelievable 40,000 LED lights forward of its stint on show downtown.
The annual lighting ceremony (being held December 7 this 12 months) is a well-liked occasion in Amsterdam at Christmas with carol singers and musical performances. Foods and drinks stands guarantee there may be loads of scrumptious meals to maintain attendees heat. Check out the lights at de Bijenkorf when you’re there.
Wander the canals
Don’t let the winter climate maintain you away from experiencing the perfect a part of Amsterdam—its historic canals. In all, 165 canals encircle town, offering a particular panorama to get misplaced in.
As you wander, you’ll discover outlets, galleries, grand motels, gorgeous canal homes, and cafés. Cease and watch everybody cruising round or simply marvel on the houseboats parked in opposition to the banks and surprise what it will be prefer to have a entrance row view of the water on a regular basis.
Go to a brown café
Brown cafes are to Amsterdam what pubs are to London—casual spots serving Dutch dishes like bitterballen or break up pea soup and the occasional grilled cheese alongside Dutch beers, a few wines, and a genever. The comfy cafes are known as “brown” for his or her darkish wooden interiors and the smoke stains on the partitions from many, a few years of cigarette smoke.
The historical past of many brown cafes stretches again tons of of years, so their structure and studying their tales might be fascinating. Café Hoppe, which dates from 1670, is a nationwide landmark, and Café Chris (1624) possible counted Rembrandt amongst its patrons. We love Café Papeneiland (1642) for its Dutch apple pie and make a beeline there on each go to to town. The household recipe is generations outdated and have become world-famous because of a go to from Invoice Clinton.
See the lights across the metropolis
There are lights everywhere in the metropolis through the Christmas season. Streets have totally different decorations that stretch for blocks and a few storefronts go all-out with artistic festivity. You’ll even discover mild sculptures in sure purchasing districts or at canal intersections.
Utrechtsestraat off Rembrandtplein is well-known for its many decorations and window shows. The Spiegelgracht and Albert Cuypstraat are additionally filled with lights, and the outlets of the 9 Streets have inventive shows of their storefronts. Maintain a watch out as you stroll across the metropolis–there are such a lot of enjoyable issues to see.
Go to a vacation live performance
December is an ideal time to see live shows within the metropolis. Yearly, the schedule at The Concertgebouw is full of seasonal music. You possibly can hear Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the Netherlands Chamber Choir or see the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra carry out festive favorites. Different live shows embrace Handel’s Messiah and the German State Philharmonic Orchestra of Rheinland-Pfalz enjoying themes from Christmas and winter motion pictures.
The Theater Carre hosts the return of the distinctive World Christmas Circus from December 18, 2024 by means of January 5, 2025. The troupe consists of award-winning clown acts, musical performers, and acrobats from around the globe. It is rather widespread, so plan forward if you need tickets.
Take a day journey to Haarlem
Solely quarter-hour away by practice, Haarlem is a lovely place to go to and sometimes lacks the crowds of Amsterdam.
From December 13-15, 2024, Haarlem’s Christmas market dominates the historic middle with 350 market stalls plus a number of levels for dwell leisure and music. All through the season, there are additionally numerous Christmas live shows on the PHIL, together with performances of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio by the Netherlands Bach Society and the Haarlem Live performance Choir singing seasonal music.
Exterior of vacation actions, there may be tons to do in Haarlem. You possibly can tour the Corrie ten Increase Home to see the place the household housed folks hiding from the Nazis or go to the gorgeous St. Bavo’s Church the place 10-year-old Mozart performed the organ. Store the lovable boutiques within the “Streets of Gold” or head to De Jopenkerk, a brewery in a former church the place you’ll be able to pattern native beers comprised of medieval recipes because the church’s stained glass gleams above your head.
Laura Longwell is an award-winning journey blogger and photographer. Since founding Journey Addicts in 2008, she has written tons of of articles that assist over 3 million folks a 12 months get essentially the most out of their journey. In that point, she has visited almost 60 nations on 5 continents, usually returning to favourite locations over and over. She has a deep love of historical past, uncovering sudden points of interest, and attempting all the great meals a spot has to supply.
Along with Journey Addicts, Laura runs a website about her hometown of Philadelphia—Information to Philly—which chronicles distinctive issues to do and locations to see round southeastern Pennsylvania. Her journey suggestions and recommendation seem throughout the net.