Sinterklaas in Amsterdam

What actually happens at the Intocht

The Intocht is the official arrival of Sinterklaas in Amsterdam, and it works in two parts. In the morning, a steamboat carrying Sinterklaas and his Pieten travels along the Amstel, from De Omval towards the city centre. In the afternoon, the procession continues on land, on foot and on horseback, until it reaches Leidseplein.

According to the organiser, Stichting Sint in Amsterdam, the boat reaches De Omval at around 10:15 and finishes at Het Scheepvaartmuseum at around 11:30, passing Berlagebrug and Weesperzijde, Nieuwe Amstelbrug, Hoge Sluisbrug, the Amstelsluizen near Theater Carré, Walter Süskindbrug and the Scharrebiersluis on the way. The land procession is scheduled to start at the Stopera and Waterlooplein at about 13:00. At Leidseplein there is a stage programme, and Sinterklaas addresses the children there in person.

The organiser stresses that all times are guidelines, and the real arrival can differ a little. Treat the schedule as a plan for your morning, not a promise, and check the official site and its social channels on the day for changes.

Timetable at a glance

These are the organiser's published guideline times for Sunday 15 November 2026. Check sintinamsterdam.nl for the latest version and the official route map before you leave.

• Water route, 10:15: the steamboat arrives at De Omval.
• Water route, around 11:05: the boat passes the Amstel locks near Theater Carré.
• Water route, around 11:30: arrival at Het Scheepvaartmuseum.
• Land route, around 13:00: the procession starts at the Stopera and Waterlooplein.
• Land route, around 13:15 and 13:20: Rembrandtplein, then Utrechtsestraat.
• Land route, around 13:35: Frederiksplein.
• Leidseplein, around 14:15: the procession arrives; the stage programme is scheduled to end at about 15:30, and the square is due to be open again at about 17:00.

Where to watch and when to arrive

You have two broad choices: the water in the morning, or the streets and Leidseplein in the afternoon. The boat passes each point only once, so the morning is about being in the right place early. The procession on land is livelier, with music and more people packed into narrower streets.

For the water, pick a point along the route above, such as near the Amstelsluizen or close to Het Scheepvaartmuseum, and arrive well before the published time. For the land route, a spot along Utrechtsestraat or near Rembrandtplein lets you see the procession pass without committing to Leidseplein, which is the busiest point of the day. If you want to hear Sinterklaas speak to the children, you will need to be on or near Leidseplein early, and you should expect to stand.

Official route maps, traffic measures and safety rules are published by the organiser. Because the route has road closures, read the traffic page before you decide where to cross the city, and allow extra time if you are heading for a train afterwards.

The tradition, explained for visitors

Sinterklaas is a Dutch winter tradition built around the story of a kindly, bishop-like figure who arrives by steamboat from Spain each autumn, accompanied by his helpers, the Pieten. Children put a shoe by the fireplace or near the door in the weeks that follow, sing Sinterklaas songs, and find small treats in the morning. The festival peaks on the evening of 5 December, known as pakjesavond (gift evening), when families exchange presents, often wrapped as a surprise and accompanied by a short rhyming poem.

The figure of Zwarte Piet has been debated in the Netherlands for many years, and it is worth knowing the context before you arrive. The tradition historically used blackface, which many people find offensive, and that is why public celebrations have changed. Today's official celebration in Amsterdam uses Roetveegpieten, whose faces carry only soot smudges, explained in the story as coming from the chimney. The organiser's own children's book describes this as an inclusive version of the story for everyone.

Opinions in the country still differ. As a visitor, you do not need to take a position. Watching the Intocht as it is organised in Amsterdam is simply watching a children's parade, and if you want to understand the debate, it is better to read about it than to ask strangers in the crowd.

Traditional treats to look for

Sinterklaas season has its own food, and it appears in supermarkets and bakeries soon after the arrival. You do not need a special shop to try it.

• Pepernoten and kruidnoten: small, spiced biscuits, often thrown or handed out at parades. The two names refer to slightly different biscuits, but many people use them loosely.
• Speculaas: spiced shortcrust biscuits, sold plain or filled with almond paste.
• Chocolate letters: a chocolate letter, usually the first letter of your name, which is a classic gift in a shoe.
• Marzipan and gingerbread: sweet figures and spiced cakes that appear alongside the biscuits.
• Hot chocolate: the standard way to warm up while waiting along the route.

Getting around on the day

The centre is crowded, and the organiser confirms that there are diversions and road closures around the route. A car is a poor choice. Use the metro, tram, train or a bike you can park away from the route. Waterlooplein has a metro station, so it is a practical point for the start of the procession, and Leidseplein is served by several tram lines. Check GVB for live diversions, because lines near the route are redirected at short notice.

Plan for the return journey too. Many families leave Leidseplein at the same time once the programme ends, so trams there fill up quickly. If you can, walk a few streets away, have lunch or coffee while the crowd thins, and travel later in the afternoon. For general advice on trams, metro and OV-chipkaart rules, see our transport guide at /transport.

Combining the day with the rest of the season

The Intocht falls on a Sunday and finishes by mid-afternoon, which leaves time for indoor plans. Museums and shops in the centre may be busier than usual, and opening hours can vary, so check each venue before you go. If you are staying through the season, the Christmas markets and winter attractions follow soon after, and the Light Festival begins at the end of the month.