December sees the start of the festive holiday season in Amsterdam – with Sinterklaas and then the run-up to Christmas and New Year.
Let’s take a curated look at what’s on in the city for visitors, locals and expats in December 2024.
Winter Highlights in Amsterdam (December 2024)
Amsterdam Light Festival – 13th edition of the popular light installation event in Amsterdam is running 28 Nov 2024 to 19 Jan 2025 around the theme of Rituals – how light is used in celebration rituals. The best place to view the light works is from the water. Book your Amsterdam Light Festival cruise here
Museums, Exhibitions & Attractions in Amsterdam (December 2024)
Fabrique des Lumières – Highly recommended immersive exhibitions of classical, modern and contemporary artists using cutting-edge technology with light projections and music.
Current exhibition is Dutch Masters, From Vermeer to Van Gogh with works from renowned Dutch artists. Plus a short program Mondriaan, An Abundance of Colour. Runs 22 Mar to 20 Dec 2024. Book Fabrique des Lumières tickets here
Amaze Amsterdam – An immersive 1 hour audio-visual experience spanning 3,000m² with 8 separate stages. Guaranteed to stimulates the senses – from intense, interactive to relaxing and chilled. Located in an old industrial nightclub in Amsterdam’s West Port district. Book Amaze Amsterdam tickets here
Body Worlds – Fascinating display of 200 human body ‘plastinate’ specimens at the venue on Damrak in central Amsterdam. The permanent exhibition is The Happiness Project and also includes an InBody scan. Book Body Worlds tickets here
STRAAT – A unique and colourful experience in Amsterdam! The world’s biggest street art and graffiti museum in a 8,000m² warehouse at NDSM wharf and showcasing some 180 artworks, all made on-site. Seth Se La Joue – All Ages Art Playground is the temporary gallery exhibition, running 4 Oct 2024 to 2 Mar 2025. Book STRAAT tickets here
Nxt Museum – Dive into digital at the first “new media art” museum in the Netherlands which holds large-scale, multi-sensory immersive exhibitions. Life in a Different Resolution, long-running retrospective exhibition of groundbreaking creations by post-digital art group Random International. Runs until 5 Jan 2025. Book Nxt Museum tickets here
Van Gogh Museum – Iconic museum with the world’s largest collection of Vincent van Gogh paintings. Vive l’impressionnisme! Masterpieces from Dutch Collections, exhibition featuring works from the likes of Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Auguste Rodin and Camille Pissarro. Runs 11 Oct 2024 to 26 Jan 2025. Book Van Gogh Museum ticket here
Rijksmuseum – The Rijksmuseum’s extensive collection (including Rembrandt’s iconic Night Watch) is a must-see in Amsterdam. UNDER/WEAR is an exhibition tracing shifts in underwear trends between 1640 and 1940. Runs until 23 Mar 2025. Book Rijksmuseum tickets here
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam – Get your celebrity fill by visiting the ever-popular wax work museum on Dam Square. Book Madame Tussauds Amsterdam tickets here
Amsterdam Dungeon – Interactive show featuring excellent actors and audience participation. Takes you through dark dungeon-themed rooms from Amsterdam’s murky past – scary but with a comic element. Book Amsterdam Dungeon tickets here
Anne Frank House – The canal house on Amsterdam’s Prinsengracht canal where Anne Frank wrote her famous teenage wartime diary whilst hiding from German occupation.
Can’t find a ticket timeslot for the Anne Frank house? Why not instead book the Anne Frank & Jewish Quarter walking tour (2 hours) here
WONDR Experience – An immersive experience in Amsterdam with 15 rooms including disco balls, a lifesize doll house and fluffy karaoke booths – lots of fun for both adults and children alike. Book WONDR tickets here
The Upside Down Museum Amsterdam – Large interactive museum and Instagram/TikTok experience which includes optical illusions, upside-down rooms and super photogenic spaces. Book Upside Down Museum tickets here
Stedelijk – Amsterdam’s main modern and contemporary art museum. Miriam Cahn, Reading Dust, major exhibition of the Swiss semi-abstract artist known for simple brushstrokes and a vigorous drawing style. Runs 5 Oct 2024 to 26 Jan 2025.
Unravel, The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art, large exhibition featuring over a hundred works by 45 international artists. Runs 14 Sep 2024 to 5 Jan 2025. Book Stedelijk tickets here
MOCO Museum – Go loco in MOCO! The acclaimed modern and contemporary art museum on Museumplein. Banksy: Laugh Now has a diverse selection of works from the anonymous British street artist. In addition MOCO Masters features the likes of Warhol, Basquiat and Koons. Book MOCO Museum tickets here
Rembrandt House – Visit the house where Rembrandt lived and worked. Book Rembrandt House tickets here
Rembrandt’s Amsterdam Experience – A new video art experience about the life of the famous painter and reconstruction of Rembrandt’s studio on Rozengracht. Book Rembrandt’s Amsterdam Experience tickets here
Wereldmuseum Amsterdam – Martial Arts, exhibition about the traditions and stories of various forms of martial art including kung fu, karate, capoeira, kickboxing, pencak silat and Nguni stick fighting. Runs 31 May 2024 to 31 Aug 2025. Book Wereldmuseum Amsterdam tickets here
Scheepvaartmuseum (Maritime Museum) – Food For Thought, exhibition taking a close look at world food production through the lens of photographer and film maker Kadir van Lohuizen. Extended run until 5 Jan 2025. Book National Maritime Museum tickets here
H’ART Museum – The renamed former Hermitage Museum presents Happy Birthday Amsterdam, an exhibition celebrating Amsterdam as a city of art and part of the 750th anniversary. Runs 4 Dec 2024 to 16 Mar 2025. Book H’ART Museum tickets here
Royal Palace – Visit the grand Royal Palace on Dam Square including the impressive Citizen’s Hall. Book Royal Palace tickets here
De Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) – Explore De Nieuwe Kerk, a unique exhibition about the history of the church which takes place in and around a major restoration. Runs 31 Aug 2024 to 6 Apr 2025. Book Nieuwe Kerk tickets here
Oude Kerk – Navid Nuur: When Doubt Turns into Destiny, large-scale, context-specific exhibition in Amsterdam’s Old Church that invites you to experience the church using your senses. Runs 7 Sep 2024 to 9 Feb 2025. Book Oude Kerk tickets
FOAM Photography Museum – Viviane Sassen, PHOSPHOR: Art & Fashion, large retrospective exhibition with 200 works of the Dutch fashion photographer and artist Viviane Sassen. Runs 21 Sep 2024 to 12 Jan 2025. Book FOAM tickets here
Huis Marseille – Shadow Self, Portal to a Parallel World, exhibition from 5 contemporary artists with Asian backgrounds looking at new media and generative AI. Runs 19 Oct 2024 to 9 Feb 2025.
Van Loon Museum – Versatile virtuoso – Wallerant Vaillant in Amsterdam, exhibition on the little known 17th century artist at the magnificent double-sized canal house. Runs 4 Oct 2024 to 5 Jan 2025. Book Museum Van Loon tickets here
ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo – One of the city’s premier visitor attractions – a magnificent zoo set in a large park in the picturesque Plantage area of the city. Book Artis Zoo tickets here
ARTIS Groote Museum – The fascinating new Groote Museum allows you to explore your place in the living world with beautifully presented installations and exhibits. Book your Groote Museum tickets here
ARTIS Micropia – The world’s only museum dedicated to microbes and micro-organisms. Book Micropia tickets here
House of Bols – Stimulate your senses at the Cocktail & Genever Experience – featuring the Lucas Bols brand, which has been making liqueurs in Amsterdam since 1575. Book House of Bols tickets here
Rijksmuseum Schiphol – Amsterdam airport hosts a small selection of works from the Rijksmuseum collection. The museum is located on Holland Boulevard (between Lounges 2 and 3 in non-Schengen departures) and is open 24 hours a day to passengers. Free entry
Amsterdam City Passes
These all inclusive passes may save you money on a well planned Amsterdam itinerary.
| Most museums + city transport | Includes attractions + tours |
| I amsterdam City Card | GO City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass |
 |  |
| 1/2/3/4/5 days | 1/2/3/5 days |
| 24 hours basis | calendar day basis |
| €60/€85/€100/€115/€125 | €99/€119/€144/€194 |
| 70 museums + transport + canal cruise + bike rental | Over 25 attractions/tours + canal cruise + bike rental |
| excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / tours | excludes Anne Frank House / Van Gogh Museum / transport |
| Book here | Book here |
| I amsterdam City Card info | GO City Amsterdam Pass info |
Sport in Amsterdam and Netherlands (December 2024)
Football:
Ajax home fixtures (Eredivisie) at Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam:
Ajax vs FC Utrecht 4 Dec 2024 (2000)
Ajax vs SS Lazio 12 Dec 2024 (2100) – UEFA Europa League
Ajax vs Almere City 15 Dec 2024 (1645)
It is possible to take a classic stadium tour of the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. Book Johan Cruijff Arena Tour tickets here or book a VIP 2 hour tour here
Inline Skating:
Friday Night Skate – 20km organised skate around the streets of Amsterdam held every Friday night (2030, weather permitting) from Vondelpark Pavilion.
See the full annual sport calendar for Amsterdam
Comedy & Shows in Amsterdam (December 2024)
Amsterdam Magic Show – Monthly magic and comedy show with international performers. At Boom Chicago’s Rozentheater, Rozengracht in Amsterdam. Runs 3 Dec 2024 (1930). Book Amsterdam Magic Show tickets here
Boom Chicago – Great night out at the popular comedy and improv theatre show in English – with bar and table service. At the Rozentheater in Amsterdam. Book a Boom Chicago show
VEGAS – Spectacular dinner show featuring Dutch illusionist Hans Klok, dance acts and live musicians including a 4 course shared dining menu. Runs on 7/14/15/20/21/24/25/26 Dec 2024 at the Harbour Club (eastern Docklands) in Amsterdam. Book Amsterdam VEGAS dinner show tickets here
Grace Campbell – The UK comedian brings her Grace Campbell Is On Heat show to Boom Chicago Amsterdam on 1 Dec 2024.
Classical Concerts & Theatre in Amsterdam (December 2024)
Dutch National Opera – 10 performances of Strauss opera Die Fledermaus will run 5-29 Dec 2024.
Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA) – Amsterdam’s renowned theatre company performs shows in Dutch which have live English surtitles above the stage – for Thursday night shows at the Stadsschouwburg theatre.
Holiday Season 2024 in Amsterdam and Netherlands
Sinterklaas (St Nicholas, patron saint of Amsterdam) is celebrated in the Netherlands on December 5th. In mid-November, Dutch TV shows him “arriving” by steamboat from Spain dressed in a red bishop’s robe and carrying a pastoral staff. Sinterklaas then parades through town on a horse accompanied by his helpers, the Pieten (Petes).
In the last few years there has been a growing controversy and debate about the depiction of the black Petes (zwarte Pieten) due to perceived racial/colonial overtones. Although many Dutch support the character, subtle changes in appearance have since been made by creating the ‘chimney-soot’ Petes (Schoorsteenpieten).
Dutch children put out a shoe next to the fireplace and receive small presents such as pepernoten spiced biscuits or chocolate letters (with the initial of their first name). If you are invited to a Dutch Sinterklaas party you will probably have to buy a present for at least one of the guests and perhaps write a personal poem to accompany the gift!
Dutch National Ballet – 19 performances of ballet The Nutcracker and the Mouse King will run 12 Dec 2024 – 2 Jan 2025.
World Christmas Circus – Popular circus event held every Christmas holiday at Carré Theater in Amsterdam. Runs 18 Dec 2024 to 5 Jan 2025.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Large Christmas-themed musical show performed with various Dutch artists. Runs at Ziggo Dome on 21 Dec 2024 (1500 and 2000).
Holiday On Ice: A New Day – Popular family show on ice at RAI Amsterdam. Runs 26-29 Dec 2024.
New Year’s Eve 2024/25 – Despite a consumer ban on fireworks, Amsterdam will host a light and electric firework show on Museumplein to bring in 2025. There will also be an evening fireworks display at Sloterplas.
Other Events in Amsterdam and Netherlands
De Balie – The multimedia venue near Leidseplein in Amsterdam hosts regular events about current affairs, politics and culture.
Market Events in Amsterdam
Pure Markt – Regular market event with high quality produce, music, food stalls and other activities. 22 Dec 2024 (1100-1700) at Park Frankendael. Free entry
Sunday Market – Market events with a mix of fashion, design, arts, food and kids stuff. Sinterklaas market on 1 Dec 2024 (1200-1800) at Westergas, 8 Dec 2024 (1100-1700) at De Hallen, Funky Xmas Market on 15 Dec 2024 (1200-1800) at Westergas. Free entry
IJ-Hallen – Large weekend flea market event held at NDSM-wharf in north Amsterdam with 400 indoor stands. 7-8 Dec 2024 (0900-1630).
The Maker Market – Weekend market features creative handmade products including jewelry, art and live music. Runs in the covered passage of De Hallen Amsterdam on 21 Dec 2024 (1100-1700) and 22 Dec 2024 (1200-1700). Free entry
Rock & Pop Concerts in Amsterdam & Netherlands (December 2024)
The Analogues (Abbey Road/Let It Be) – 6 Dec, Carré
Within Temptation – 6 Dec, Ziggo Dome
Nik Kershaw – 7 Dec, Q-Factory
The Script – 7 Dec, Ziggo Dome
Faithless – 12 Dec, AFAS Live
A*Fever (ABBA Tribute) – 15 Dec, Ziggo Dome
The Analogues (Abbey Road/Let It Be) – 28 Dec, Ziggo Dome
Amsterdam Transport Passes
The following multi-day transport tickets can help you get to the various events in and around Amsterdam:
| Best Value & Validity | Best for AMS airport | Best for Excursions |
 |  |  |
| GVB Day/Multi-Day tickets | Amsterdam Travel Ticket | Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket |
| 1/2/3/4/5/6/7 days | 1/2/3 days | 1/2/3 days |
| €9-€41 | €18/€24/€30 | €21/€31.50/€40.50 |
| Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam | Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam | Valid on all GVB transport (trams/metro/buses) in Amsterdam |
| – | Valid on Schiphol airport train + 397 airport bus | Valid on Schiphol airport train + 397 airport bus |
| – | – | Valid on regional NS trains + EBS/Connexxion/Arriva buses in region |
| 24 hours basis | Calendar day basis | Calendar day basis |
| Digital + Card versions | Card only | Card only |
| Order here | Order here | Order here |
| more info | more info | more info |
The AmsterdamTips.com What’s On in Amsterdam has been running monthly since 2008. Disclaimer: While we make every effort to keep this listing up-to-date, events can always be cancelled or re-scheduled at short notice. Please double-check with the event organisers.
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