- On September 9, 2026
- Bezienswaardigheden
Planning a trip to Amsterdam in December and worried it is all grey skies, freezing canals and darkness by half four? Honestly, it can feel that way if you turn up unprepared.
But this is my favourite time to be here: the Light Festival glows over the water, the cafes go warm and cosy, and the crowds thin out. Here is how to do amsterdam in december right.
I have spent a good few Decembers wandering these canals with cold hands and a hot drink, and I have learned what makes the month sing and what catches people out. Below is everything I wish someone had told me: the real weather, the lights, the markets (and the honest truth about them), skating, indoor escapes for the rainy days, New Year’s Eve, and a simple three-day plan you can steal.
Why visit Amsterdam in December?
December is low season here, and that alone changes the whole feel of the city. Outside the short Christmas-to-New-Year peak, there are far fewer tourists than in summer, the queues shrink, and hotel rates typically drop by roughly 30 to 40 percent compared with spring and summer (I have seen central rooms listed around EUR 130 to 200 a night, though it varies wildly). The first three weeks or so of the month are the sweet spot: lightest crowds, best value, and the festive lights already up.
Then there is the atmosphere. The Dutch have a word, gezellig, which roughly means cosy, warm and convivial all at once, and December is when the city leans into it hardest. Short days mean the lights come on early, the old brown cafes fill up with people escaping the damp, and market stalls start frying oliebollen on street corners.
If you like your travel low-key, atmospheric and a little bit slow, this is a lovely time to come. If you want long sunny days and terrace weather, come back in June.
Here is my quick honest summary of what you get and give up in December:
- You get: the Amsterdam Light Festival, uncrowded museums, lower prices, cosy cafes, festive food, and a genuinely local off-season mood.
- You give up: daylight (it is dark by around 4:30pm), warmth, and reliably dry weather. Rain is far more likely than snow.
Amsterdam weather in December & what to pack
Let me set expectations honestly, because this is where people are most often caught out. Amsterdam in December is cold, damp and grey. Daytime highs typically sit around 6 to 7 C (roughly 42 to 45 F) and overnight lows around 2 to 3 C (about 35 to 38 F), cooling a touch as the month goes on.
It rarely climbs above about 12 C (53 F) and rarely drops far below freezing. What the numbers do not show is the wind off the water and the high humidity, which make it feel a lot colder, often close to freezing even when the thermometer says otherwise.
It is also one of the wettest, cloudiest months of the year. Depending on which source you trust, expect roughly 58 to 87 mm of rain spread over somewhere between 13 and 19 wet days, with cloud cover around two-thirds of the time. The rain is often wind-driven and comes at you sideways, which is why a small umbrella alone will not save you.
And snow? It happens, but it rarely settles. A proper white Christmas here is genuinely rare (the last really snowy ones people mention are 2009 and 2010), so plan for damp and grey rather than picture-postcard white.
The other big factor is daylight. December has the shortest days of the year, with only around 7.7 to 8 hours of light.
The sun comes up around 8:30am and sets around 4:30pm, so it is dark by late afternoon. That sounds gloomy, but it is exactly why the festive lights and the Light Festival dominate the December experience: you are out in the dark for most of your evening anyway.
Here is a rough month-at-a-glance table. Treat these as typical ranges rather than promises, and check a live forecast before you travel:
| Period | Typical high | Typical low | Wat u kunt verwachten |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early December | around 7 C (45 F) | around 3 C (37 F) | Cold, damp, frequent rain, short days |
| Late December | around 6 C (43 F) | around 2 C (36 F) | Slightly colder, grey, occasional frost |
| Rainfall | Roughly 58 to 87 mm across about 13 to 19 wet days | ||
| Daylight | Around 7.7 to 8 hours; dark by about 4:30pm | ||
What to pack for Amsterdam in December
My rule here is simple: dress in warm layers, because indoor venues are heated and outdoors is cold and windy, and you will be moving between the two all day. Pack the following and you will be comfortable:
- A warm, waterproof winter coat (the waterproof part matters more than you think).
- A scarf, gloves and a hat, plus warm, waterproof shoes or boots for wet pavements.
- A waterproof jacket and/or a compact umbrella, knowing the umbrella may struggle in the wind.
- Layers you can peel off in warm museums and cafes and pull back on by the canals.
If you want a fuller month-by-month breakdown before you decide when to come, I keep a longer guide to Amsterdam weather by month that goes deeper into what each season actually feels like on the ground.
Amsterdam Light Festival
If you only plan one thing for your trip, make it this. The Amsterdam Light Festival is the highlight of the whole month and, to my mind, the single best reason to visit amsterdam in december.
For its 15th-anniversary edition it runs from around 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027 (reconfirm the exact dates on the official site), with a new route winding through the historic centre. Around twenty large light artworks are installed along the canals and over the bridges, and the whole thing turns the dark evenings into the reason you came.
| Detail | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Dates | around 26 Nov 2026 to 17 Jan 2027 |
| Evening hours | around dusk to 10-11pm |
| Walking the route | free |
| Cruise length | around 60-75 min |
| Cruise price from | from around EUR 27.50 |
| Tickets on sale | around 1 Oct 2026 |
The best part: seeing the artworks is completely free. You can simply walk the route past the roughly twenty illuminated installations without a ticket, at your own pace. The path runs through the old centre and across several bridges, so wear those warm waterproof shoes and watch your footing, as the pavement is uneven in places.
The lights are switched on in the evening rather than around the clock, so plan an after-dark stroll. As a rough guide they are lit from around dusk (about 5pm) until roughly 10 to 11pm, with slightly longer hours over the Christmas period and an early shut-off on New Year’s Eve. Because those times shift through the season, check the official schedule before you head out.
For the full, comfortable version, take the heated canal cruise. Guided boat trips run roughly 60 to 75 minutes along a route of about 5 km past the artworks, and seeing the installations reflected in the water from a warm boat is genuinely special on a cold night.
Operators offer both enclosed, heated boats (often with a drink included) and open boats (unheated, with blankets provided). In December, I would take the heated, covered boat every time.
On price and booking, here is the honest state of play. The official festival lists canal-cruise tickets from around EUR 27.50, with tickets for cruises and walking experiences reportedly going on sale on 1 October 2026, so depending on when you read this they may not be bookable yet.
Independent operators list open boats from roughly EUR 29.75 and heated boats with drinks from around EUR 39.75, so real prices vary by operator and boat type. Treat all of these as indicative and reconfirm on the official site, and once tickets are released, book ahead because the good evening slots go quickly.
You can read the full details, route map and current ticket info on the official Amsterdam Light Festival site, and I amsterdam keeps a helpful overview on its festive season page. If you would rather have the cruise sorted in advance through a booking platform, here is a good place to compare options:
See Amsterdam Light Festival cruises →
My tip: walk part of the route on foot one evening for the up-close view and slow moments, then do the cruise on another night for the reflections and the warmth. The two experiences are different enough to be worth both.
Christmas markets & festive Amsterdam
Let me be straight with you, because a lot of guides are not: Amsterdam does not have a big, traditional German-style Christmas market. There is no single giant Christkindlmarkt here. Instead the city’s festive markets are smaller and more scattered, and Amsterdam makes up for it with the Light Festival, canal-side lights, festive food stalls and cosy cafes.
If a huge wooden-hut market is the main thing you want, plan a day trip (more on that below). If you are happy with a handful of atmospheric smaller markets plus a city dressed up in lights, you will love it.
| Market | When (2026) | What | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Museumplein “Ice Village” | around 3-27 December | Christmas market of 45+ food, drink and gift stalls beside the ice rink | free to enter |
| Funky Xmas Market (Westergasfabriek) | one Sunday, around 20 December | Indie makers’ market with live music and mulled wine | free admission |
| Dordrecht (day trip) | around 11-13 December | Large traditional market, 200+ stalls along the waterfront | free to enter (plus train fare) |
The most central market is on Museumplein, the museum square, where a Christmas market or “Ice Village” runs alongside the ice rink. Listings put it at roughly 3 to 27 December 2026 with 45 or more food, drink and gift stalls, typically open from around midday until about 9pm, opening earlier at weekends and running reduced hours over Christmas itself.
Because it sits right next to the skating rink, it is an easy two-in-one afternoon. Do reconfirm the exact dates and hours on the venue’s own site, as these listings can shift.
For something more indie, the Funky Xmas Market at the industrial-chic Westergasfabriek is a makers’ market focused on local artists, designers and handmade goods, with live music, mulled wine and hot chocolate, and free admission. It tends to be listed for a single Sunday in the run-up to Christmas (one listing gives 20 December 2026, roughly midday to 6pm), so treat that date as provisional and check before you build a day around it.
Festive food you should actually try
Honestly, the food is half the fun of December here. Keep an eye out for these:
- Oliebollen — deep-fried dough balls dusted with powdered sugar, traditionally eaten around New Year. Stalls (oliebollenkramen) pop up across the city from around mid-December.
- Pepernoten and kruidnoten — small spiced biscuits tied to Sinterklaas, at their peak around 5 December.
- Gluhwein — hot mulled wine, sold at markets and plenty of bars.
- Poffertjes — little puffy mini pancakes with butter and sugar, and fresh warm stroopwafels straight off the griddle.
One cultural note that surprises visitors: in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas on 5 December is the bigger gift-giving occasion than Christmas Day. If you are here in early December you will feel that build-up, and it is well worth catching.
Ice skating & winter activities
You cannot reliably skate on the canals anymore (they only freeze solid in a proper cold snap, which is rare these days), but the city sets up rinks that more than make up for it.
| Rink | Where | Season | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice*Amsterdam | Museumplein, by the Rijksmuseum | around 14 Nov to 5 Feb | from around EUR 16 incl. skates |
| Jaap Eden | Amsterdam-Oost (Radioweg) | around Oct to late Mar | big real-ice complex (local favourite) |
The prettiest and most central is Ice*Amsterdam on Museumplein, set right in front of the Rijksmuseum with a cafe and stalls around it. It runs roughly from 14 November 2026 to 5 February 2027, with tickets typically around EUR 16 including skate rental, and during the Dutch Christmas holidays (about 19 December to 3 January) it usually opens daily from 10am.
Skating with the Rijksmuseum lit up behind you is one of those postcard moments that actually lives up to it. As always, reconfirm dates and prices on the official site before you go.
If you want the more local, authentic skate, head to the Jaap Eden ice rink on Radioweg in Amsterdam-Oost. It is the city’s big real ice complex, with a 400m outdoor speed-skating oval plus other rinks, and it is open roughly from October to late March.
This is where locals actually skate, it is reachable by tram from the centre, and it feels a world away from the tourist rink. If skating is a real priority rather than a photo, this is the one.
Beyond the ice, December is prime time for canal-side walks bundled up against the cold, ducking into cafes to warm up, and generally letting the short days set a slower pace. For the fuller list of what is on year-round, my guide to things to do in Amsterdam is a good companion to this seasonal one.
Best indoor things to do when it’s cold
Given the weather, you will want a few reliable indoor plans, and this is where Amsterdam quietly excels. Here is how I would spend the cold, wet hours.
Museums (the classic escape)
Museums are the anchor indoor activity, and December is a great time for them because they are much less crowded than in summer. The catch: the big three (the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House) still sell out, so book timed tickets in advance rather than turning up.
The Rijksmuseum alone can easily fill half a day, and stepping from a cold, grey canal into those warm galleries is exactly the kind of December afternoon I love. If you plan to museum-hop, it is worth checking whether the I amsterdam City Card pays off for your itinerary, since it bundles a lot of the big attractions and transport.
Playful, warm and rainproof attractions
When you want something more hands-on than a gallery, these are all good cold-day options:
- The XtraCold Icebar — a sub-zero bar built of ice, with a few drinks usually included and an Arctic theme. Ironically one of the warmest fun ideas on a wet day, because you are indoors and it is a proper novelty.
- WONDR Experience — an interactive art playground with a marshmallow pool and photo rooms, great if you are travelling with kids or just want to be a big one for an hour.
- The Upside Down Museum — optical-illusion and photo rooms, easy fun that keeps you dry.
- A’DAM Lookout — the top-floor sky bar with sweeping city views, hot chocolate or mulled wine, and, if you are brave, Europe’s highest swing out over the edge. The winter views over the lit-up city are worth the lift up on their own.
Brown cafes and the art of being cosy
Do not underestimate this one. The traditional Dutch pub, the bruin cafe or brown cafe, with its dark wood panelling and warm low light, is a defining winter experience here.
Settle in with a beer, a jenever or a hot drink, watch the rain against the window, and you have found the heart of a Dutch December. Combined with canal-side strolls and warm drinks between stops, this everyday cosiness is a big part of why the month works.
New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam
New Year’s Eve here is famous, loud and, frankly, a bit chaotic. For years, amateur consumer fireworks have been set off across the whole city by residents, which can feel thrilling or overwhelming depending on your temperament and is genuinely not for everyone. It is worth going in with clear expectations.
Things are changing, though. The city has been expanding firework-free zones, and reports indicate that from 2026/27 consumer fireworks are banned across much of central Amsterdam, with the city instead staging an official free light, laser and drone show (described as “Electric Fireworks”) on Museumplein. That said, enforcement is imperfect and unofficial fireworks tend to persist regardless, so expect noise and verify the official plan closer to the date on the city’s own channels.
A few practical pointers if you are out for the night:
- The official Museumplein show is reported to run roughly 6:30pm to 1am, free, in front of the Rijksmuseum. If you want a good spot, arrive early, perhaps by around 10pm.
- Dam Square, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are the big informal gathering spots.
- Many clubs and venues, plus hotel rooftops, host ticketed parties, and NYE canal cruises run. Book ahead.
- Public transport is heavily reduced from around 8 to 9pm and largely suspended around midnight, so plan in advance how you will get back to your bed.
A perfect 3 days in December (short itinerary)
Two to three full days is generally enough to cover the December highlights without rushing. Here is a simple three-day plan that balances indoor and outdoor, and leaves your evenings free for the lights. Adjust the order around the weather and any timed tickets you have booked.
| Dag | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 — Museums & lights | Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum (booked slot) | Long lunch, then the Jordaan and canals | Walk part of the Light Festival route |
| Day 2 — Festive city & skating | Anne Frank House or the Nine Streets | Museumplein market and the Ice*Amsterdam rink | Heated Light Festival canal cruise |
| Day 3 — Day trip or indoor fun | Train to Dordrecht or Haarlem | Or the Icebar, WONDR or A’DAM Lookout | Dinner in a cosy brown cafe |
Day 1 — Museums and lights
Start indoors while it is coldest: book a morning slot at the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum. Have a long lunch in a warm cafe, then wander the Jordaan and the main canals in the fading afternoon light. After dark, walk part of the Light Festival route on foot, stopping for gluhwein along the way.
Day 2 — Festive city and skating
Spend the morning at the Anne Frank House (booked ahead) or exploring the Nine Streets for shopping and coffee. In the afternoon, head to Museumplein for the Christmas market and a spin on the Ice*Amsterdam rink. In the evening, take the heated Light Festival canal cruise to see the artworks from the water.
Day 3 — Day trip or indoor fun
If you want a bigger, more traditional market, take a morning train to Dordrecht or Haarlem (see below). If you would rather stay in the city, fill a rainy day with the Icebar, WONDR or A’DAM Lookout, then finish with dinner in a cosy brown cafe. That leaves you having seen the lights, the museums, the markets and the skating in a comfortable three days.
Is Amsterdam worth visiting in December?
Yes, with one honest condition attached. Amsterdam in december is absolutely worth it if you want festive lights, cosy cafes, uncrowded museums and lower prices, and you do not mind cold, wet and short days. The Light Festival, the gezellig atmosphere and the off-season value are a genuinely lovely combination.
It is not the right call if your idea of a great trip involves long daylight hours, sitting out on terraces, or a guaranteed white, snowy Christmas, none of which December here reliably delivers. Come with warm, waterproof clothes and an evening-led plan, and you will have a brilliant time.
Come expecting sunshine and picture-book snow, and you will be disappointed. For most people who like atmosphere over weather, it is an easy yes.
Easy winter day trips
One of the joys of basing yourself here is how quickly you can reach other festive towns. The Randstad towns are all within about an hour by train, and a day trip is the smart way to get the big traditional market that Amsterdam itself lacks.
| Town | Train time | Festive highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Dordrecht | around an hour | One of the largest traditional Dutch Christmas markets, 200+ waterfront stalls |
| Valkenburg | further than the Randstad towns | Underground Christmas markets inside marlstone caves |
| Haarlem / Leiden | quick hop, under an hour | Smaller festive markets and lights for a relaxed half-day |
- Dordrecht hosts one of the largest and most traditional Dutch Christmas markets, with 200-plus stalls strung along the historic waterfront, typically over a mid-December weekend (one listing gives 11 to 13 December 2026). If a proper, big market is your dream, this is the trip to make.
- Valkenburg, down in Limburg, is famous for its underground Christmas markets held inside marlstone caves (the Gemeentegrot and Fluweelengrot). It is often combined with “Magisch Maastricht” about 15 minutes away. It is further than the Randstad towns but genuinely unlike anywhere else.
- Haarlem and Leiden are both quick, easy hops with their own festive markets and lights, and they make for a relaxed half-day if you do not want to travel far.
For more ideas and how to reach each one, my guide to the best day trips from Amsterdam covers the routes and timings in detail.
Veelgestelde vragen
Is December a good time to visit Amsterdam?
Yes, if you want festive lights, cosy cafes, uncrowded museums and lower prices, and you do not mind cold, wet, short days. The Light Festival is the standout draw, and the first three weeks of the month offer the best value and the lightest crowds.
What is the weather like in Amsterdam in December?
Cold, damp and grey. Daytime highs are typically around 6 to 7 C (roughly 42 to 45 F) with overnight lows around 2 to 3 C (about 35 to 38 F). It is one of the wettest, cloudiest months, with rain far more likely than snow, so pack for wet weather and check a live forecast before you travel.
Does it snow in Amsterdam in December?
Rarely, and it rarely settles when it does. A genuine white Christmas is uncommon here (the last really snowy ones people mention were around 2009 and 2010). Expect damp and grey far more often than white, and treat any snow as a nice surprise rather than the plan.
What should I pack for Amsterdam in December?
Warm layers, a waterproof winter coat, a scarf, gloves and a hat, and warm waterproof shoes. Bring a waterproof jacket and/or a compact umbrella for the frequent rain, knowing umbrellas struggle in the wind. Layers let you adjust between chilly canals and heated museums and cafes.
When is the Amsterdam Light Festival 2026?
The 15th-anniversary edition runs from around 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, with a new route through the historic centre. Walking the route past the roughly twenty artworks is free; heated canal cruises are the comfortable way to see them. Reconfirm dates, hours and cruise tickets on the official site, as ticket sales were reported to open on 1 October 2026.
Are there Christmas markets in Amsterdam?
Yes, but they are smaller and more scattered than the big German-style markets. The most central is on Museumplein next to the ice rink, typically running in December, with a smaller indie makers’ market at Westergasfabriek in the run-up to Christmas. For a large traditional market, take a short train trip to a town like Dordrecht.
Can you go ice skating in Amsterdam in December?
Yes. The most scenic rink is Ice*Amsterdam on Museumplein in front of the Rijksmuseum, typically open from mid-November into early February with tickets around EUR 16 including skates.
For a more local skate, the Jaap Eden rink in Amsterdam-Oost has a large real-ice complex open roughly October to late March. Reconfirm dates and prices on the official sites.
Is Amsterdam expensive in December?
It is one of the better-value times to visit. December is low season outside the Christmas-to-New-Year peak, with hotel rates typically around 30 to 40 percent lower than in spring and summer. The stretch between Christmas and New Year gets busier and pricier, so the first three weeks or so offer the best value.