Christmas in Amsterdam has always been magical. Just imagine what frosty winter, twinkling lights, and charming ornaments can do to its already picturesque toytown architecture. Aside from its visually-pleasing facades, the Dutch capital also has a wide array of fun activities and experiences prepared for this holiday season. You’ll treat your senses to sweet smells of freshly baked goodies, soothing sounds of Christmas carols, and the presence of pop-up markets and winter wonderlands, making up the festive ambiance.
Indeed, Amsterdam is one of the best places to celebrate Christmas. If you’re in Amsterdam for this year’s holiday season, consider yourself lucky: Christmas 2021 is brimming with exciting things to see and do for locals and tourists. Check out these spectacular activities to enjoy throughout December!
1. Visit Christmas markets and funfairs
Christmas is never complete without festive outdoor markets and fairs that brighten up the squares, malls, and other public spaces.
In Amsterdam, you can find a plethora of Christmas markets with dozens of fascinating stalls and food trucks. Take your time in buying unique presents like art and crafts, savoring tasty food and drinks, purchasing seasonal items, and stocking up your pantry for your Christmas feast. You’ll also enjoy festive music and multicoloured light displays as you take a stroll.
Catch these fascinating Christmas Markets in Amsterdam this 2021:
- Ice Village | In front of Rijksmuseum at the Museumplein
- Funky Xmas Market | Westergas, Polonceaukade
- Pure Market Winter Market | Park Frankendael
- Museum Market Festive Edition | Museumplein
- Amsterdam Winter Paradise | RAI Amsterdam convention centre
2. Catch the Amsterdam light festival
Amsterdam Light Festival is the star of the city’s festive calendar. During this spectacular festival, the city’s tranquil canals transform into a sparkling canvas of light and art. There’ll be dozens of thematic light sculptures dotted around the city’s canals and bridges, all thanks to creative local and international artists. The streets of Amsterdam will also be illuminated, creating a magical ambiance throughout the city.
This year will be the annual festival’s 10th anniversary, so we can expect the installations to be more grandiose than ever.
3. Have a Christmas cruise
Speaking of enchanting canals, why not sign yourself up for a cruise? Gliding through Amsterdam’s canals has always been romantic, only this time you’re in for a festive twist. Having a Christmas cruise is the perfect way to savour the sparkling spectacles of the Amsterdam light festival. The tickets will be selling like pancakes so make sure to secure your slot early!
4. Have a Christmas staycation in a serviced apartment
New year, new Christmas celebration! If you’ve spent your Christmas 2020 at home, then you might want to shake things up a little and have a staycation in Amsterdam. The more people in your party, the merrier so skip small, traditional hotels and check out the serviced apartments in Amsterdam.
Serviced apartments are bigger than hotel rooms, allowing you to celebrate Christmas with your friends and family comfortably. Just imagine staying in a home-like space, complete with a living room, a bedroom or two (or more), a dining space, and a fully-equipped kitchen you can actually cook in. Plus, you’ll enjoy the little luxuries of hotel accommodation like toiletries, reception service, round-the-clock security, and housekeeping.
Also Read: Relaxing Getaway Ahead: 8 Ways to Indulge Yourself in a Laidback Vacation
5. Hop on the ice skating rink
Winter, they say, is the sleepiest time of the year. The days are shorter, the nights are longer, and the bitterly cold weather makes it easy for you to stay home and chill by the fireplace. Well, if you’re adventurous like us, you can turn this around and grab your skating boots instead.
Use winter to your advantage by visiting Amsterdam’s ice skating rinks. One popular attraction is the Ice Village ice skating rink right in front of the Rijksmuseum. You may also go to Amsterdam Winter Paradise and skate under the blanket of lights with your friends and family. Another one is the Ice Rink at Rembrandtplein.
6. Feast on festive treats
Kickstart your holiday spirit by munching on Amsterdam’s seasonal treats. Pause counting your calories for now and raid the bakeries and market stalls for these goodies:
- Windmill cookies (speculaas)
- Gevulde Speculaas
- Gourmetten
- Oliebollen
- Kerststol
- Bischopswijn
- Mulled wine and craft beer
7. Listen to the Christmas Carol Concert at Concertgebouw
Don’t you just love getting goosebumps and nostalgia when listening to Christmas carols? In Amsterdam, you’ll enjoy a couple of hauntingly beautiful Christmas concerts and performances.
Consider booking a ticket to the Christmas Carol Concert at Concertgebouw, one of the best concert halls in the world. This year’s concert on the 22nd of December will be filled with a great mix of ethereal choral music and cheerful holiday carols, with the theme: Christmas Classics at the Movies.
8. Explore the Christmas attractions
Winter wonderlands, funfairs with a Ferris wheel, Christmas villages, live music. Ice skating, skiing, and dozens of light installations and festive decorations — if these things aren’t enough to boost your holiday spirit, we don’t know what will. Luckily, you’ll catch these Christmas attractions in different parts of Amsterdam.
9. Don’t miss Amsterdam Winter Paradise
Whether you’re into heart-pounding activities like skiing or the chill and laid-back park strolls, there’s surely one Christmas attraction for you. If you’re looking for an event that combines all of your Christmas fantasies in one place, look no further: head to the Amsterdam Winter Paradise.
As its name suggests, it’s an ultimate winter experience you shouldn’t miss. There’ll be ice skating, tube slides, tube jump, cross-country skiing, and ice racing. For relaxed Christmas activities, you may enjoy playing at the snow play area, meeting fairytale characters, listening to live music, and riding the Ferris wheel and merry-go-round.
10. Take a fun tour around the city
Don’t let the cold stop you from exploring Amsterdam’s popular tourist attractions. You can sign up for different tours, including walking tours (free and paid), and hop-on hop-off bus tours. You may consider biking tours too, to fully experience the most bicycle-friendly city in the world.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a free-spirited writer who hates being locked up at home. She loves traveling, eating, taking food and streetscape photographs, and simply enjoying new experiences and writing about them. To know more about hotels and travel blogs, you may visit PREMIER SUITES Amsterdam
