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A festive guide to Christmas in Amsterdam

Amsterdam at Christmas is pure magic. The canals glow after dark, Museumplein transforms into a twinkling winter village and the scent of oliebollen drifts through the streets. Add the Amsterdam Light Festival, ice skating beside the Rijksmuseum, and a few traditional Dutch winter treats, and there are plenty of things to do over the Christmas break. Yes, it’s cold. And yes, you’ll need layers. But once the lights come on and the glühwein starts flowing, you’ll be very glad you packed that extra jumper. 

For a festive stay in the heart of the city, art’otel Amsterdam puts you close to Amsterdam Centraal, the canal belt and many of the city’s cultural highlights. The hotel brings its own art-led perspective to the trip through Signature Artist Atelier Van Lieshout, with an on-site gallery and ARCA Restaurant & Bar. 

Browse Amsterdam’s Christmas markets

Christmas shopping in Amsterdam is rarely about fighting your way through another department store. The city’s festive markets put independent makers, local food and playful design centre stage. Come hungry and leave with something you definitely didn’t plan to buy. 

Christmas Village Amsterdam

Christmas Village Amsterdam brings festive stalls, winter food and warming drinks to Museumplein throughout most of December. Dozens of vendors take part, with gifts and artwork, along with plenty of reasons to stop for a seasonal snack. Entry is typically free, leaving more room in the budget for glühwein. 

The setting is hard to beat. With the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum nearby, you can spend the morning with the masters before browsing the market beneath the Christmas lights. Culture first, sweet treats afterwards. Or the other way around. We’re not judging. 

It’s open from 3 to 27 December 2026, with opening times varying by date. Check the official Christmas Village Amsterdam website for hours before visiting. 

Funky Xmas Market

If traditional Christmas shopping feels a little too predictable, head to Funky Xmas Market at Westerpark. Part of Amsterdam’s Sunday Market programme, it brings independent makers and creative businesses together in the city’s former gasworks complex. 

Expect original art and handmade gifts unlikely to appear beneath every other Christmas tree in town. The market usually takes place on a selected date in December, so check the latest event information before planning your visit. 

Amsterdam Light Festival

Each winter, Amsterdam Light Festival transforms the canals into a spectacular open-air gallery. Artists from the Netherlands and beyond create illuminated installations for the city’s waterways, giving familiar bridges and historic canal houses a completely new look. 

The festival runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. Follow the route on foot for a closer look at the artworks or take to the water on a festival cruise. There is nothing quite like seeing Amsterdam’s lights reflected across the canals from the warmth of a boat. 

Guests at art’otel Amsterdam are particularly well-placed to join the fun. The hotel is opposite Amsterdam Centraal and close to many of the canal cruise departure points. That means less time spent finding the festival and more time enjoying the experience. 

Routes and artworks change each year, so check the latest festival programme before setting out. 

Go ice skating by the Rijksmuseum

Few ice rinks come with a backdrop quite like this one. The seasonal rink at Museumplein sits among some of Amsterdam’s most famous cultural landmarks, with the Rijksmuseum looking on as skaters make their way around the ice. 

Take a few confident laps or hold on tightly to the side. You can also watch from nearby with a hot chocolate. Olympic ambitions are strictly optional. 

The rink usually opens from late November into January. It also sits beside Christmas Village Amsterdam during December, making it easy to combine skating with festive shopping and something warm to eat. 

Seasonal dates can change, so check the latest opening information before planning your visit. 

Step inside Amsterdam Winter Paradise

Looking for festive fun on a larger scale? Amsterdam Winter Paradise takes over RAI Amsterdam during the Christmas holidays. 

Depending on the annual programme, visitors can expect: 

  • Winter activities and attractions 
  • Live shows and entertainment 
  • Seasonal food and drinks 
  • Indoor experiences for wet-weather days 

Rain outside? No problem. An entire winter world awaits under one roof. 

Tickets and activities can change each year, so book ahead and check the current programme before visiting. 

Warm up in Amsterdam’s museums and galleries

A cold or drizzly afternoon is simply Amsterdam’s way of inviting you inside. 

Start at the Rijksmuseum for Dutch masterpieces or step into the colourful world of Vincent van Gogh. For something more contemporary, the Moco Museum brings modern art to a grand townhouse on Museumplein. STRAAT gives street art the space it deserves in a former shipbuilding warehouse. 

Better yet, why leave art’otel Amsterdam at all? The hotel has its own gallery downstairs, where changing exhibitions bring contemporary creativity into the heart of your stay. Signature Artist Atelier Van Lieshout’s work also appears throughout the hotel, so the art continues beyond the gallery doors. 

Christmas opening hours can vary, particularly on 25 and 26 December. Book popular museums in advance and check their individual schedules before setting out. 

Eat your way through a Dutch Christmas

Amsterdam’s winter food is designed for cold hands, rosy cheeks, and the sudden realisation that you have been wandering beside the canals for several hours. 

Dutch winter favourites include: 

  • Oliebollen: Icing sugar-dusted dough balls traditionally enjoyed around New Year’s. Find them at bakeries and street stalls, then eat them while they’re warm. 
  • Jenever: A traditional Dutch spirit served at Wynand Fockink near Dam Square since 1679. Come for the jenever and stay for the wonky floors. 
  • Stamppot: Mashed potatoes and vegetables, often served with meat and gravy. Just the thing after a cold day outside. 

As you make your way around the city, follow the scent of something warm and let Amsterdam’s winter favourites keep you going between festive stops. 

Spend Christmas Day in Amsterdam

Christmas Day in Amsterdam has a gentler pace. The streets become quieter, transport follows a holiday timetable and some businesses take a well-earned break. 

If you’re spending Christmas Day in Amsterdam: 

  • Book restaurants in advance, as Christmas dining tables can fill quickly 
  • Check museum and attraction opening hours before visiting 
  • Allow for a reduced public transport timetable 
  • Confirm shop opening times, as many businesses close or reduce their hours 
  • Consider a walk around the canal belt for a quieter way to see the city 

A slower pace has its advantages. Admire the decorated bridges before settling somewhere warm for a long lunch. 

Stay in the heart of festive Amsterdam

Directly opposite Amsterdam Centraal, art’otel Amsterdam puts the canal belt and many of the city’s festive highlights within easy reach. You can head out for a Light Festival cruise, cross the city to Museumplein or browse Christmas gifts at Westerpark without making the journey back feel like another expedition. 

Inside, 107 rooms and suites feature the work of Atelier Van Lieshout. The hotel also brings together its gallery with ARCA Restaurant & Bar, providing a warm place to return to when the temperature drops. 

Ready to experience Amsterdam at its most festive? Plan your Christmas stay at art’otel Amsterdam. 

FAQs about Christmas in Amsterdam

When do Amsterdam Christmas markets start?

Amsterdam’s Christmas markets generally begin in late November or early December, but each event sets its own dates. Christmas Village Amsterdam usually runs throughout much of December, while Funky Xmas Market takes place on a selected date during the month. 

Check the official event information before travelling, particularly if a specific market is central to your plans. 

Where are the Christmas markets in Amsterdam?

Christmas Village Amsterdam takes place on Museumplein, close to the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. Funky Xmas Market is held at Westerpark. Other seasonal markets and pop-ups appear around Amsterdam throughout December. 

Is Amsterdam open over Christmas?

Yes, Amsterdam is open over Christmas, but Christmas Day is quieter, and individual arrangements vary: 

  • Some restaurants, museums and attractions close or operate reduced hours 
  • Public transport follows a holiday timetable 
  • Shops may close or shorten their opening hours 
  • Christmas meals should be booked in advance 

Check arrangements directly with each venue before travelling. 

What is the weather like in Amsterdam at Christmas?

December in Amsterdam is typically cold and can be wet. If you are visiting Amsterdam at Christmas, consider packing: 

  • Warm layers for changing temperatures 
  • A waterproof coat for wet weather 
  • Comfortable shoes for exploring on foot 
  • A hat and gloves for markets and evening light trails 

The weather also provides the perfect excuse to stop regularly for hot chocolate, oliebollen or something a little stronger. 

What are the best Christmas activities in Amsterdam?

Some of the best Christmas activities in Amsterdam include: 

  • Visiting Christmas Village Amsterdam on Museumplein 
  • Following the Amsterdam Light Festival route 
  • Ice skating beside the Rijksmuseum 
  • Browsing Funky Xmas Market at Westerpark 
  • Spending the day at Amsterdam Winter Paradise 
  • Exploring Amsterdam’s museums and galleries 
  • Trying traditional Dutch winter food 

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