Top 10 – Activities for a Holly Jolly Christmas in Amsterdam

Are you in Amsterdam during the winter and looking for fun activities to make the most of your time in Amsterdam ? Look no further, I have compiled a list for you with the top 10 best winter activities. To make sure you don’t miss anything during your time in the Dutch capital. Read along and be surprised by the splendor of Amsterdam in the winter time.

1. Skating

It’s true that in Amsterdam we don’t always have thick enough natural ice to skate on, but we Amsterdammers don’t let it spoil the fun! Throughout the winter there are plenty of skating rinks to be found. Strap on your skates, and let’s go! Grab a nice glass of hot chocolate, paired with a fresh oliebol, and enjoy the experience. Enjoy the skating rinks at: Museumplein, Rembrandtplein or Leidseplein.

2. The Amsterdam Light Festival

An annual happening in Amsterdam and the bright spot during the dark days. By now we are at edition number 13, with this year’s theme being: ‘ ‘Rituals‘. 27 works of light art by 23 international artists make the city a winter showstopper. You can experience the festival in two ways:

• On foot: Follow the mapped 6.5-kilometer walking route along beautiful works of light art.
• With a canal cruise: Don’t feel like walking? Then hop on a heated canal cruise. Enjoying a glass of Glühwein and a warm blanket, you sail past all the light artworks. Want to book a Light Festival cruise? Click here!

3. Visit the Christmas Markets

What’s a Jolly Christmas without a Christmas market? Fortunately, there are plenty in Amsterdam to fully immerse yourself in the Christmas atmosphere. For example, the Ice Village, one of Amsterdam’ s largest Christmas markets, located on the Museumplein. Or the Winter Paradise in the RAI, with singing, skating rinks, a Ferris wheel and much more.

4. Dutch wintersnacks

Whether you have a sweet tooth or are more into savory snacks, the Dutch winter has something tasty for everyone. For savory lovers, try snert (pea soup) with smoked sausage. Sweet? Choose oliebollen, appelbollen or a stroopwafel – perfect in cold weather.

5. Admire the Christmas tree on Dam Square

On December 14, the 20-meter-high Christmas tree on Dam Square will be lit. With over 40,000 energy-efficient lights and the beautifully lit Beehive next to it, this is a real eye-catcher and a symbol of the festive month of December.

6. A boat tour of the canals

An absolute classic: a canal cruise! Discover the city as it was meant to be experienced, with views of the Skinny Bridge, the Herengracht and the Rijksmuseum. In 2022, Flagship was named the No. 1 Tripadvisor experience in the world – a must-do. Book your tour of the canals today!

7. Explore the museums

Amsterdam is brimming with history and art. Visit the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum for classical art or the Moco Museum for modern exhibits. Check our Things to Do section for combo tickets.

8. Warm up in brown pubs

Looking for a nice place to warm up from the cold weather outside? There are plenty of brown pubs to choose from. These pubs are classic, “vintage,” with both the interior and the façade decorated with brown wood. These cafes and pubs are known as the backbone of the neighborhood. This is where Amsterdammers go to catch up with their neighbors, and it radiates from them! The Old Dutch “gezelligheid” in Dutch. This vibe radiates from places like these and is something that should definitely be on your list of visits in the city. Some of my personal favorites are:

• Café de Sluyswacht: Of course, this used to be the house of the lockkeeper, which explains the name of the café. Later it housed a hardware store, and it has only been a café for about twenty years. Besides some elderly regulars, the place is teeming with students. The decor is as you would expect: an old stone floor, wooden benches and paneling, a ceiling with beams and shutters at the windows. Historic Amsterdam at its best.
• Café Brandon: A café run by a purebred Amsterdammer: Rogier, who took the café on his shoulders 20 years ago. It is a brown pub; we call it brown because the walls and ceiling are still brown from smoking in the 20th century. The interior of the café has a traditional feel and is the perfect place to watch an Ajax Amsterdammatch with locals from the neighborhood.
• Café Pieper: Located at 424 Prinsengracht, this is an absolute cornerstone of the neighborhood. Located on the corner of Prinsengracht, it is a perfect place to have a beer while watching all the boats go by. From the terrace you also have a view of the “new” Westerkerk. Highly recommended for anyone who could use a nice drink during their walk or bike ride through the city.

9. Take a winter walk;

Besides the Amsterdam Light Festival route, there are plenty of other fun walks you can take through the city. Store walking routes through the beautiful 9 streets in the Jordaan, for example. Or take a walk along the canals! Start at the most beautiful canal in Amsterdam, in my opinion at least, the Brouwersgracht and walk along the canals past the Westerkerk, the picturesque Spiegelgracht with a view of the Rijksmuseum and end the walk on the Magerebrug for a romantic conclusion to the tour. During the walking tour, don’t forget to warm yourself up in one of the brown pubs along the way!

10. Go see a comedyshow,

Everyone loves an evening of drinks and loud laughter. Fortunately for these lovers, there is no shortage of good comedy clubs in Amsterdam, and good comedians neither. Flagship’s personal favorite? Boom Chicago on the Rozengracht. Featuring well-known comedians who have earned their stripes in improv comedy here. Such as: Seth Meyer, Jordan Peele, Jason Sudeikis and many more. Are you ready for an evening of unforgettable laughter?

So far my blog for winter activities in Amsterdam. I hope this blog has helped you choose and orient activities and experiences in our Mokum. Have fun with the activities!
Looking for more information about the Amsterdam Light Festival? Click here.