Christmas in Amsterdam

As always, Amsterdam is ready to delight its winter visitors with its magical Christmas treasures — from sparkling light installations to cozy markets and festive ice rinks.

This year, Rembrandtplein has once again transformed into a charming winter playground. The entire square is now home to a spacious ice rink, giving everyone the chance to skate right in the heart of Amsterdam, surrounded by food stalls serving sizzling hamburgers, traditional Dutch oliebollen, and a welcoming wine bar where you can warm up between skating sessions.

Another iconic spot, Museumplein, will be transformed into a Christmas Village from 4 December 2025 to 28 December 2025, featuring more than 45 wooden chalets and stalls offering festive food, warm drinks, and handcrafted gifts.

And what could be grander than a festival of light combined with a Christmas village? Enter Amsterdam Winter Paradise: from 17 December 2025 to 3 January 2026, the RAI Amsterdam will host a spectacular winter wonderland, complete with The Balloon Voyage, a Ferris wheel, swing rides, a sliding slope, ice-racing, magical theatre, and the largest indoor light show.

Meanwhile, the rest of the city will begin to glow: the Amsterdam Light Festival runs from 27 November 2025 to 18 January 2026, turning the canals into a glowing gallery of creations. For a truly magical experience, special heated boat tours with warm drinks and guided commentary let you view the illuminated artworks from the water.

Completing the festive scene, the main Christmas tree of the Netherlands — an impressive 20-metre fir decorated with more than 40,000 energy-efficient LED lights — will rise on Dam Square. On 14 December 2025, the city marks the start of the season with the official tree-lighting ceremony, when the lights are switched on and the Royal Palace shines in harmony with the sparkling display. It’s one of Amsterdam’s most cherished holiday moments.