Our guide is updated at the start of every month, packed with the best events. Explore the best of Amsterdam with insider tips and recommendations. Whether you’re planning your weekend or looking to fill your calendar, let our monthly roundup help you make the most of everything Amsterdam has to offer!
What’s Happening in Amsterdam in December 2025?
Cozy season is here! And we’ve got the best tips on where you’ll really want to eat this Christmas, the nicest Christmas markets, the best spots for an oliebol, fun museums, and much more!
Check out the best things to do in December in Amsterdam here!
- Fav Christmas Dinner Spots
- Amsterdam Light Festival – From November 27
- Ice rink at Museum Square – from November 8
- Christmas Markets
- Best Spots to get your Oliebollen
- Check out the Magical Christmas Vibes
- Visit Oedipus Craft Brewery
- The Amsterdam Winter Paradise Dec 13 – Jan 4
- Visit the Royal Palace on Dam Square Dec 17 – Jan 4
- Visit ARTIS Groote Museum
- Newest Restaurants in Amsterdam
- Even more Amsterdam Tips
Fav Christmas Dinner Spots
- Bistro de la Mer
- De Mark
- Troef
- Restaurant Breda
- De Vergulden Eenhoorn
- Ron Gastrobar
- Café restaurant Wils
- Café Verlan
- Tannay
Amsterdam Light Festival – From November 27
You can walk or sail along a special route through the city and see Amsterdam transformed into an open-air light museum, lighting up the canals with amazing artworks and glowing installations by international artists. This year, the artworks follow the theme “Legacy,” exploring what we leave behind for future generations!
Ice rink at Museum Square – from November 8
An age-old tradition: Museum Square is turning into an ice rink again! Besides skating, there will be plenty of fun activities like dinner, bingo, a silent disco and more.
From November 8 until January @ Museum Square, tickets €14
Christmas Markets
- Christmas Village @ Museum Square, Dec 4 – 28, daily 12:00 – 21:00
- Funky Christmas Market @ Westergasfabriek, Dec 21, 12:00 – 18:00
- The Sustainable Christmas Market @ De Ceuvel, Dec 14 – 15 & Dec 21 – 22, 13:00 – 20:00
- Pure wintermarkt @ Park Frankendael, Dec 21, 11:00 – 17:00
Best Spots to get your Oliebollen
- Hartog’s Volkoren
- Fort Negen
- Bakkers oliebollen stand Spaarndammerstraat 792
- Bakery Ad Straathof
- Patisserie Holtkamp
- Lennick (champagne bol)
- Lanskroon
Check out the Magical Christmas Vibes
Streets like Utrechtsestraat, the Nine Streets, the Spiegelgracht, P.C. Hooftstraat & Haarlemmerstraat are beautifully decorated, and it’s so much fun to wander through them. Grab something tasty along the way, like a hot chocolate or a fresh oliebol!
Visit Oedipus Craft Brewery
Pay a visit to this unique brewery and try their delicious Bride witbier. It’s truly a hidden gem in Amsterdam North and a fun outing on these cold days. You can even play games there!
You can also order the Bride beer online with 15% OFF just use discount code WELIKEBRIDE15.
The Amsterdam Winter Paradise Dec 13 – Jan 4
One of the city’s biggest seasonal events, transforming the RAI into a magical winter world filled with ice skating, snow fun, fairground rides, cozy chalets, live music, and festive food stalls. Both indoors and outdoors, you can enjoy everything from après-ski vibes to light shows and performances.
Visit the Royal Palace on Dam Square Dec 17 – Jan 4
The Palace will once again be open to visitors. Discover the magnificent building with its impressive sculptures through the free audio tour, be surprised by the Palace’s special details, and admire the regal interiors featuring artworks by, among others, Govert Flinck and Ferdinand Bol.
Children can learn about the art and history of the building through a special audio tour with a scavenger hunt (ages 5+) or an interactive story (ages 7+). Admission including audio tour is free for children up to 18 years old.
Except on Christmas Day and 1 January
Visit ARTIS Groote Museum
The Groote Museum is an interactive nature museum set inside a beautiful historic building, where you discover how closely humans are connected to all living things. One highlight is the exhibition “Dichtbij Tanja”, featuring Amsterdam’s most famous hippo, now on display as part of a moving story about the relationship between humans and animals. The museum is playful, sensory, and surprising, perfect for curious visitors of all ages, and free for children up to 12. It’s also open late on Thursday evenings until 22:00.
Newest Restaurants in Amsterdam
Of course, a great restaurant can’t be missing from the list of monthly activities. And what could be more fun than trying one of Amsterdam’s newest spots? As you know, we love keeping lists, and that includes a list of Restaurants that recently opened in Amsterdam—and there are quite a few! Check them out here.
Even more Amsterdam Tips
Art & Culture
Fun Activities
- Dining in The Dark: Enjoy a three, four, or five-course dining experience that takes place entirely in the dark. Book your spot here →
- 2-Hour Private Karaoke Session: Book a private karaoke booth for up to 10 people for a super fun night out! Book your spot here →
- 80’s Roller Skating Rink: Go back to the ’80s with a stunning decor and the best ’80s music. Spend a fun and active day out skating with friends and family in the rink. Book your spot here →
- Visit House of Bols: Bols Cocktail Experience takes you through the history of Genever and liqueur, unveiling the secrets behind the craft of distillation that has been practiced for over 400 years by Lucas Bols, the world’s oldest distilled spirit brand. Book your experience here →
- Wine Tasting with Experienced Sommelier: The sommelier guides you through a curated selection of 5 wines, all sourced from local winemakers. Book your tasting here →
Weekend Day Trips – Explore the Rest of The Netherlands
You may also like to check out our list of newly opened restaurants! We update it every month. Follow us on Tiktok or Instagram. On our Social Media Channels we always post even more content of find out about the best tips, parties, events and more.
