Christmas in Amsterdam
The Christmas season in Amsterdam runs on three main events. The Christmas Village on Museumplein opens on 3 December 2026 and is free to enter. The Amsterdam Light Festival fills the canals with art from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. The RAI Winterparadijs opens on 17 December 2026 and runs into the new year.
You can see the light art from the water. See Amsterdam canal cruises for the boat types, and the Light Festival guide for the dates and the routes.
Christmas Village hours in 2026
The village on Museumplein is free to enter.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| 3 to 24 December | 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. |
| 25 and 26 December | 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. |
| 27 December | 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. |
Closing times on 25, 26 and 27 December can change, so check the day you plan to go. For most visitors, an afternoon visit before the early dark fits any of these hours.
Our pick: a Light Festival cruise
The festival runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027 and this boat trip is made for it.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Amsterdam winter cruises, tours and day trips
Canal cruises, walking and bike tours and day trips from Amsterdam, with live prices and availability.
Canal lights and cruises at Christmas
The Light Festival falls in the Christmas season, with light art every day from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. On 31 December the light art ends at 9 p.m. The boat route takes about 75 minutes, and the walking route is 4.5 km. The festival app is available from mid-November.
The festival is not one standard boat product. You can choose covered heated boats, open boats with blankets, trips with drinks, group boats and private cruises with dinner. A festival cruise does not come with a reservation or a ticket for anything else, so book the trip you want. Daily dinner cruises on the Christmas days are not guaranteed, so check the timetable for the date you want.
Other markets and winter events
Dates to confirm before you plan around them.
RAI Winterparadijs
It runs from 17 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, from 9 a.m. to midnight. Tickets start from €18.50 to €25.50, depending on the offer. Food, drinks, games and extra packages cost more. Check the final price for your date and ticket.
Funky Xmas Market
This market in the Westerpark is planned for 20 December 2026. Confirm the date and hours before you go.
Winter market in Park Frankendael
The winter market is planned for 29 November and 20 December 2026, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Confirm both dates before you go.
Amsterdam in December
Weather and opening days around the holidays.
Weather
December has an average high of 6.9 °C, an average low of 1.9 °C and 81.7 mm of rain. Snow, ice and frozen canals cannot be promised. See the weather by month for the full table.
Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum
The Rijksmuseum is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including holidays, with a timed ticket. The Van Gogh Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from 24 to 26 December and needs a timed ticket as well. Check the daily calendar for other days.
Things to do →Houseboat Museum and Westerkerk
The Houseboat Museum is closed on 25 December 2026. The Westerkerk is closed on the second day of Christmas, 26 December.
Houseboat guide →Plan ahead
Opening days for museums, shops and boats change around 25 and 26 December. Check each place for the exact day and book timed tickets early.
A winter day in Amsterdam
One way to fit the main events into a short stay.
Afternoon
The Christmas Village is open from 12 p.m. On 3 to 24 December it stays open until 9 p.m., so you can start there. Entry is free.
Early evening
The Light Festival art switches on at 4:30 p.m. every day. Book a boat for the evening if you want to see it from the water.
Light Festival →Indoors
On a wet day, plan a museum with a timed ticket. The December average rainfall is 81.7 mm, so keep a second option ready.
Things to do →Plan the rest of your trip
Pages to read next.
Amsterdam at Christmas: frequently asked questions
When is the Christmas Village in Amsterdam?
The Christmas Village on Museumplein runs from 3 to 27 December 2026 and is free to enter. Hours are 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. until 24 December, then shorter on 25, 26 and 27 December.
When is the Amsterdam Light Festival?
From 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. The light art is on daily from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on 31 December.
Do canal cruises run at Christmas?
Do not assume it. Daily dinner cruises on the Christmas days are not guaranteed, so check the timetable for your date before you plan around it.
Will it snow in Amsterdam at Christmas?
Snow, ice and frozen canals cannot be promised. The December average high is 6.9 °C and the average low is 1.9 °C.
What is the RAI Winterparadijs?
A winter event at the RAI from 17 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, open from 9 a.m. to midnight. Tickets start from €18.50 to €25.50, depending on the offer, with food, drinks and extras on top.