Tips for New Year's Eve in Amsterdam

Savour a sumptuous banquet at Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky

In collaboration with Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky

Fill your glass with champagne, sit back, and enjoy a 4-course dinner or a 6-course Michelin-star dinner to pamper your taste buds for the very last time this year. Once the food has settled, hit the dance floor, where DJs will provide the tunes. You can order festive drinks at the bar, and at the stroke of midnight, you can party into the new year.

Soak up sky-high views and unlimited bubbles at Hotel Jakarta

In collaboration with Hotel Jakarta

Experience the last hours of 2024 in style during the Pasar Makan New Year's Eve Party at Hotel Jakarta. Following a welcome glass of champagne, enjoy unlimited bubbles, wine, beer and cocktails all evening long. Surprise your tastebuds with a combination of Asian and Western flavours at the food market (from 19:00-23:00); think of satay, oysters, salads, meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. Entertainment includes a stellar lineup of DJs and an entire casino floor.

Take in the [electric] fireworks at Museumplein and Sloterplas

Like last year, Museumplein will be the site of a dazzling electric fireworks display, a spectacle designed for up to 60,000 spectators. Take in the excitement and revelry of New Year's on the streets of Amsterdam in this beautiful location, and be a part of the evening's magical feel.

• At Museumplein, from 18:45 to 19:00, the Electric Fireworks Junior programme is specially designed for the little ones who can’t attend at midnight. Help Edson da Graça search for his code in time so the fireworks can go off.
• At Museumplein, starting at 22:30, live acts will energise the crowd on the main stage, building a growing anticipation for midnight, where the fireworks countdown begins at 23:50. As the moment draws nearer, the largest countdown clock in the Netherlands will take centre stage, marking the year's final moments.
• Also in Nieuw-West, enjoy a spectacular, sustainable, traditional fireworks show (from 00:00 to 00:10) on the edge of Sloterplas near the Meervaart Theatre.

Dance into the new year at venues across the city

When it comes to NYE celebrations, Amsterdam has something for everyone. As midnight beckons, Amsterdam becomes a playground for night owls, whether you have a soft spot for sophisticated dinner parties or gritty warehouse raves. Check out all New Year's Eve events in our cultural agenda, or read some top picks here:

• Don't miss the NYE Indoor Festival at Q-Factory, where 1,250 partygoers will dance to the electric beats of Amsterdam’s best DJs. VIP ticket holders can enjoy champagne, delicious treats, and a comfortable lounge area.
• Crowne Plaza Hotel will transform into an oasis of festivities with top-notch DJs, spinning an eclectic mix of Urban, Afro-house, Pop, and World beats, a dinner buffet courtesy of De Japanner and VIP packages in the Manhattan Bar.
• Dress in black, white and gold to ring in 2025 at Pong | House of Ping with tunes from Amsterdam DJs, bubbles and, of course, a few games of ping pong.
• The Awakenings party at the Gashouder in Westerpark - playfully nicknamed the Temple of Techno, and for good reason - is well-known for its unparalleled techno lineup and mesmerizing light displays.
• Or maybe the Gardens of Babylon are more your thing: spiritual experiences, live performances, and electronic music all combined in one grand ethereal celebration at the WesterUnie across several days in the lead-up to New Year's.
• If you're looking for a stellar view of the city when the clock finally strikes midnight, look no further than Pllek's New Year's celebration. Located right on the River IJ, Pllek boasts stunning panoramic views and combines a three-course meal with a dance party that unfolds afterwards, headlined by top DJs.

Feast on oliebollen and champagne

No Dutch New Year’s Eve celebration is complete without a dreamy bite of oliebollen - deep-fried dough balls covered in powdered sugar - which, besides being a deliciously sweet snack, also has a long history in the Netherlands. Legend has it that oliebollen fend off evil spirits, giving you another reason to indulge. Find the best oliebollen in Amsterdam, and on New Year's Eve, it's only fitting to enjoy them together with a glass (or bottle) of bubbly.

Enjoy dinner with a view at a rooftop bar

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam with an elevated experience at one of the city’s rooftop bars and restaurants. The A’DAM Tower offers two stellar options: up-scale Moon, a revolving restaurant serving innovative European cuisine with stunning, ever-changing views, and Madam, which, after you've tucked into a dinner of Asian-inspired delights, transforms into a dance party with excellent DJs and sweeping vistas of the city as the countdown begins. For a more bohemian vibe, head to rooftop restaurant Canvas at the popular Volkshotel, where you can watch the fireworks with a cocktail. Another great rooftop is Zoku, which offers cosmopolitan dishes in a distinctive setting with a sleek and elegant ambience. If you're looking for refined dining, Mr. Porter at the W Hotel offers a superb menu in the hotel's chic and iconic setting, with sweeping city centre views.

• Tip: Reservations are essential, as these hotspots fill up fast. With a glass of champagne or a cocktail in hand, these venues promise a sophisticated start to 2025.

Take an illuminated New Year's Eve canal cruise

It's indisputable that the best way to experience the city is from the water, and what could be more spectacular than spending the last evening of 2024 cruising along Amsterdam's picturesque canals? Take part in a scenic boat tour while enjoying the city’s beauty - including all of the illuminated installations along the route for this year's edition of Amsterdam Light Festival. Companies like Stromma and Lovers Canal Cruises offer unique canal experiences throughout the year and are known for providing unforgettable views of the city at night, particularly during the festive season. Always check for special New Year's Eve packages and events.

Brave a chilly dip with the New Year’s Swim on 1 January

The New Year Swim attracts brave swimmers from all around to begin the new year with an icy dip in the North Sea at various coastal locations in the Netherlands. One of the biggest celebrations occurs at Zandvoort aan Zee, just half an hour west of Amsterdam, where thousands of revellers gather to strip off and run into the water together. Even if you’re not brave enough to make a splash, you can enjoy the party atmosphere from dry land with a steaming bowl of pea soup. Ready for the New Year? See our tips for spending New Year's Day in Amsterdam. 

Practical NYE tips

• Be sure to arrange your travel plans in advance.
• On 31 December, Amsterdam Central Station will be closed entirely between 20:00 - 01:00.
• Public transport, such as trains, buses, metros, and trams, will not run during this time. Taxis are still available.
• Ferry boats continue to operate (to Noord and NDSM), but the schedule has been adjusted.
• Night buses from Amsterdam Central Station will depart from the bus platform on the IJ side from 01:30.
• Starting at 1:30 AM, some metro lines will resume operation.
• From 07:00, all transportation starts according to the normal service schedule.