Full disclosure! If ever you plan to travel to Amsterdam during the holiday season, prepare yourself for a treat! A plethora of indoors and outdoors activities are offered for tourists and visitors when the city is decorated by lights and covered with snow.
The Festive Atmosphere
For many, Amsterdam is as Christmassy as can be and making the environment warm all around. There is a great view of numerous lights at the streets, and the canals are decorated to reflect the holiday mood. Christmas trees, wreaths, and other decorations line every corner, which will always keep you happy.
Winter Markets and Shopping
Among the attractions, which are unique to Amsterdam in contrast to other European countries, one can name the splendid winter markets. The largest one is Amsterdam Christmas Market, located at beautiful Winter Village at Museumplein. Here, you will find ample of stalls located featuring handmade products, scrumptious food items, and interesting gifts. That is why it is the best place to shop for gifts for your family and friends.
Ice Skating
Ice skating is one of the most popular activities during winter, and tourists will find several charming ice skating rinks in Amsterdam. One of the biggest is the Ice*Amsterdam on Museumplein where you can hope for some shade from the well-known Rijksmuseum building while skating. This rink is located right beside food kiosks and has a snowy setting of a winter wonderland.
Indoor Attractions
If the weather gets a tad cooler, there is always lots to do in Amsterdam, indoors. These include the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Anne Frank House to mention but a few. These museums revolve around art history and have a good cultural insight in them.
Heralding the start of festival extravaganzas and celebration performances
In the holiday season, a selection of Christmas activities and shows for all age groups are held throughout the city of Amsterdam. They include musicals, concerts, ballets, theater and even parades, there is always something for everyone to watch.
Christmas Concerts
Every December, churches and concert hall present their annual Christmas concerts for choir and beautiful classical music. Watching one of such concerts is really an exciting way to drive people into the festive mood.
The Royal Theatre Carré
The Royal Theatre Carré is an old theater location and it features a number of events such as the holiday shows and the plays. It is a memorable process to enjoy a festive performance here, especially for children and grown-ups.
A Dutch Christmas Tradition: Sinterklaas
In the Netherlands a particular build up to Christmas is the festival of Sinterklaas, a legendary figure like that of Santa Claus. Sinterklaas comes into Amsterdam in mid November together with his companions the ‘Zwarte Pieten’. Sinterklaas arrives through a great parade and other activities are held in following the tradition.
Sinterklaas Markets
During Sinterklaas festivities, people can proudly buy traditional markets products like cookies, pepernoten, marzipan and chocolate letters. Thus, it is a wonderful experience to enter these markets to check out how Dutch people celebrate Christmas.
Sinterklaas Boat Parade
The second best-known event related to Sinterklaas is the Sinterklaas Boat Parade. Saint Nicholas enters Amsterdam on a boat with a great water parade. This is a very colourful and entertaining event that is normally staged along the cities canals and is graced by thousands of people.
Winter Delicacies
Amsterdam is a beautiful place to visit during winter, especially over the Christmas holidays, but one cannot miss a meal of these yummy meals. For tea-time you can indulge with Dutch snacks such as oliebollen (doughnuts), appelgebak (apple turnovers) and stroopwafels. There are also comfortable coffee shops and restaurants, visitors and guests here can taste Dutch cuisine.
Visiting Amsterdam in December Throughout the year Christmas has its very own magical sort.”
Christmas time is the most atmospheric time in Amsterdam, which gives a touch of fairy tale to everyone. From the lights and joy of the holiday season to the markets and events to the special snacks, then Herculean attempts to create happiness, people are not left wanting for delightful opportunities. Therefore if ever you find yourself in Amsterdam, do well to plan your itinerary to include the holiday season.
