Amsterdam Weekend Guide (Christmas & NYE Edition)

FAMILY & KIDS

Winter activities at ARTIS

In collaboration with ARTIS

While the festive season kicks into full swing, the animal kingdom plods along as normal. And the peace and quiet of ARTIS is a welcome retreat from all the socialising this period usually entails. From nocturnal animals and starry skies to workshops and evening openings, there's plenty to experience both day and night. Discover how animals and plants follow their circadian rhythm and brush up your knowledge with interactive activities that demonstrate the importance of nighttime for all living things. The Groote Museum and Micropia also offer a wealth of activities for all ages to explore.

Winter at ARTIS | throughout winter | ARTIS

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

New Year’s Eve

Amsterdam has long been a destination for those looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve. And rightly so – this is a city with a lingering sense of promise and magic. Of course, New Year’s Eve tends to be busier and livelier than other nights, making the choice of where to go even more important. We’ve put together a full list of tips here, but for those visiting, a spot at Pllek over the water is always good, while for those staying here, consider heading up to a rooftop bar for sweeping, glittering views.  

And PSA! If you're someone who wants a NYE without fireworks for personal or pet reasons, head to somewhere near Schiphol Airport. This is a firework-free zone, so consider checking into a hotel or heading to Schiphol's Panorama Terrace for views of the lights from afar (and without the bangs).

New Year’s Eve | 31 December 2025 | city-wide

New Year’s Day

Less considered but just as worthy, New Year’s Day is rife with tradition. Our tips for the first day of the year should have you covered, but those in the know will know that this is the best day to party on – and the best day for a skin-tingling swim. 

New Year’s Day | 1 January 2026 | city-wide

CLUBBING & NIGHTLIFE

New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day parties

Where to go out on NYE is the eternal question but this spread proves that NYE and New Year’s Day are both excellent options:

• NYE Indoor Festival at Q Factory | 31 Dec
• Amsterdam NYE Party at Pong | 31 Dec
• Big techno NYE at Shelter | 31 Dec
• Early ravers at The Breakfast Club | 1 Jan
• Daytime dancing at Lofi | 1 Jan
• Queer hedonism at Is Burning x Adonis at Tilla Tec | 1-4 Jan

ART & EXHIBITIONS

Art Café Workshops

Drop by this new café, which puts creating art at the centre. Beginning this weekend, you can take part in everything from ceramic bowl making to model-drawing, to the rather lovely Grandfriends Art Day; where the café will be welcoming elders from the Oma’s Soep community to help bring generations together through creativity.

Art Café | from 3-4 January 2026 | Sarphatipark 116

Don’t miss these…

Some of the capital’s biggest exhibitions close by January, so swing by while you can. These are the highlights:

• De Cycloop at Museum Cobra | closes 17 Jan
• Brancusi: The Birth of Modern Sculpture at H’ART | closes 18 Jan 
• Van Gogh and the postman Joseph Roulin. Finally together again at Van Gogh Museum | closes 11 Jan
• Josephine Baker: A life of resistance at Verzetsmuseum | closes 11 Jan 

THEATRE & STAGE

Brave Space: Chosen Family

Described as a night of queer joy, this LGBTQ+ storytelling stage show is all about the relatives we make by choice, in the season of family and caring. 

Brave Space: Chosen Family | 28 Dec, 15:30-17:00 | Theater Bellevue

RESTAURANTS & BARS

Festive food menus

There’s too much to choose from, but across this period, everyone is catered for: 

• NYE at KID for fried chicken | 31 Dec
• Christmas Eve dinner and NYE pizza at Bottleshop | 24 + 31 Dec
• Christmas Roast at the Cottage | every day apart from 25 + 26 Dec 
• Christmas Lunch at Van Oost | 24-26 Dec
• Three-course festive menu at Jansz | throughout winter

Amsterdam Light Walk x Foodwalk

The city’s annual light festival returns, this time under the theme of ‘Legacy’ and how we want to be remembered. To glimpse all the installations looking to capture what that means, you have a range of options. Perhaps the best way to explore it is via your stomach courtesy of the Foodwalk. Via the ALF app, you can follow one of many routes designed to your tastes - from a cocktail and street food walk to a late dinner path that will let you take in the light festival at its best time.

Amsterdam Light Festival x Foodwalk | Until 18 January 2026 | city-wide

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