Amsterdam in December: Weather, Events and What to Pack

Weather in December

Long-term averages from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI, 1991-2020 normals at Schiphol) put the average daily high in December at about 6.9°C, the daily mean at about 4.6°C and the average low at about 1.5°C. Those are averages, so individual days can be milder or noticeably colder; the airport has recorded highs above 15°C in December and, on average, the coldest night of the month falls to around -5°C.

It is a wet month rather than a snowy one. Expect roughly 80 mm of precipitation spread over about 14 days, which in practice means light, frequent rain and a lot of grey cloud. Sunshine averages only around 58 hours for the entire month, so bright days are a bonus. Snow does fall in some years, but it is not something to plan around, and it rarely lies for long in the city centre.

Wind off the North Sea makes the air feel colder than the thermometer suggests, particularly on open squares and when you are on a bicycle or a boat. A windproof, water-resistant outer layer matters more than a very thick coat.

Daylight: plan your day around it

Daylight is the main practical constraint. At the start of December the sun rises at about 08:30 and sets shortly after 16:30. Around the winter solstice on 21 December you get roughly 7 hours 40 minutes of daylight, with sunrise near 08:50 and sunset around 16:30 (approximate times for Amsterdam, local time).

In practice, do outdoor sightseeing between about 09:30 and 15:30 and save museums, cafes and covered markets for the dark hours. Canals, bridges and festival artworks look best after dark anyway, so the early sunset helps rather than hurts if you plan evenings around the water.

• Late morning: walk a neighbourhood such as the Jordaan while it is light
• Afternoon: one large museum, ideally booked for a timed slot
• From about 17:00: canal lights, a hot drink, dinner

What is on in December 2026

All dates below come from our verified events calendar; check each organiser before travelling, as programmes can change.

The Amsterdam Light Festival is already running by December. The 15th edition runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, with light artworks along the canals. The walking route is free; boat tours need a ticket and are most in demand on weekends and December evenings.

• Sinterklaas arrives in Amsterdam on Sunday 15 November; Sinterklaas evening is on 5 December, a family gift-giving tradition in the Netherlands
• Museumplein Christmas Market: 3 to 27 December 2026
• Amsterdam Winter Paradise at RAI: 17 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, closed on 31 December
• Museumplein ice rink: 24 October 2026 to 16 January 2027
• Rembrandtplein ice rink: 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
• New Year's Eve: Thursday 31 December 2026, with fireworks across the city at midnight

Crowds and prices

December is not peak season in the way July is, but it is not empty. The weeks around the Christmas market, and the days between Christmas and New Year, are busy at the Light Festival, on the main shopping streets and at the most popular museums. Early December weekdays are the calmest stretch.

Hotels tend to be most in demand around New Year's Eve and on festival weekends, so book those dates early. Midweek stays in early December are usually the easiest to arrange. We do not quote room rates here because they change daily; compare current prices directly with the hotel or a booking site.

Museums, attractions and opening days

Most major museums stay open through December, but opening hours change on 24, 25 and 31 December and on 1 January. Check each museum's own site for those days before you plan around them. The Anne Frank House is a good example of why: tickets are sold online only, for a specific time slot, and are released every Tuesday at 10:00 CET for a visit six weeks later. For a December visit, that means looking in early to mid-November.

Winter is a sensible time for the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk, which sit close together on Museumplein, where the Christmas market and ice rink also operate. You can combine a museum slot with a skate or a hot chocolate without crossing the city.

Day trips and Keukenhof in winter

Keukenhof is closed in December. The 2027 season is scheduled to run from 18 March to 9 May 2027, and the flowering bulb fields are a spring sight, not a winter one. Do not book tulip tours for this month.

Other day trips are still possible, but with shorter days and variable weather. Zaanse Schans is an open-access heritage village, so you can walk around it year-round, though individual windmills, museums and workshops keep their own hours and some have reduced winter schedules. Haarlem and Utrecht are easy by train and work well in rain because so much of the visit is indoors. If you prefer a private driver for a winter countryside day, one local option is Mike's Green Tours at mikegreentours.com. Whatever you choose, plan to be back before dark if you do not want to travel late.

What to pack

Pack for damp cold rather than deep freeze. A waterproof jacket with a warm mid-layer works better than a single heavy coat, because shops, trams and museums are well heated and you will be taking layers on and off.

Cobbled streets and canal-side paths get slippery, so choose shoes with a good grip that can handle puddles.

• Waterproof jacket or coat with a hood (umbrellas struggle in wind)
• Thermal or wool layers, a hat, scarf and gloves
• Water-resistant shoes or boots with good tread
• A small day bag that closes securely for crowded markets
• A power bank, as cold weather drains phone batteries faster