New Year’s Eve is a magical time in Amsterdam. Trees festooned with fairy lights glitter along the canal paths, the streets are filled with happy people munching traditional oliebollen (little Dutch donuts), and fireworks light the sky from morning till midnight, and indeed beyond. It’s party central here, with dozens of club nights, warehouse raves and unofficial street parties taking place right across town, and you’re never far from the fun.
Pro-tip: don’t go anywhere in Amsterdam on New Year’s Eve without a booking. Make reservations for dinner and book ahead for any ticketed events. Oh, and be sure to sort your accommodation well in advance if you don’t want to end up paying top dollar for some suburban shack miles from the action. With that in mind, dive in for our whistlestop guide to spending New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam.
New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam: Things to Do in the Morning
That old saw about the early bird catching the worm has perhaps never been truer than when sightseeing in Amsterdam on New Year’s Eve. Our advice? Rise with the lark and be prepared for attractions to close early (or indeed not open at all). This is a great time to see Amsterdam from the water on a classic cruise, with Christmas lights shimmering and rippling across the surface of the canal as you sail serenely past landmarks including Anne Frank’s House and the Westerkerk. At this time of year, there will also be cruises specifically designed to route past highlights of the enchanting Amsterdam Light Festival (of which more later).
Amsterdam isn’t short of a museum or two either. The Rijksmuseum – five floors of European masterpieces including Vermeer’s The Milkmaid and Rembrandt’s Night Watch – is certainly the most essential. But there are plenty of weird and wonderful alternatives if you’re just not that into staring at old paintings. Hit up the Amsterdam Tulip Museum for a fragrant dive into one of the country’s national emblems. Peruse the private collection of one of the most dedicated pipe enthusiasts on the planet. You’ll be feline just fine at cat-crazy KattenKabinet and you can check out art of a more contemporary stripe at the bleeding-edge Moco Museum.
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Afternoon: Seasonal Events in Amsterdam
There are two essential activities to get involved in when spending New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam. First up: the humble oliebol. This scrumptious little Dutch snack literally translates as ‘oil ball’, so you just know it’s not going to be a health food. You’ll find street vendors hawking these fried dough balls dusted with sugar on every square, by every canal and on every street corner. Well, almost. They’re a favorite festive snack of the Dutch so expect queues that only get longer as the day progresses. It’s also customary to stuff your face with handfuls of oliebollen at midnight on New Year’s Eve, so while this afternoon oliebol might be your first, we can guarantee it won’t be your last. This tasty tradition is said to ward off evil spirits so, if you need to justify that second bagful to yourself, now you can! Look out too for the oliebol’s fruitier cousin, the appelbeignet, also available just about everywhere in Amsterdam at this time of year.
It gets dark early in Amsterdam in December – perfect timing, in other words, for the visual extravaganza that is the annual Amsterdam Light Festival. Brightening the long Dutch winter between December and January, this eye-popping open museum of illuminated artworks and installations takes place in and around Amsterdam’s historic center and includes unique pieces by contemporary designers, artists and architects from the Netherlands and beyond. Join a guided walking tour or take a gentle stroll around the exhibits at your own pace. Simply wait until the sun starts to set and follow the light…
Evening: New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam
What you’ll also have noticed is that, come dusk, there are firecrackers, rockets and roman candles going off everywhere. Amsterdam’s fireworks laws are, shall we say, more relaxed than other parts of the world, so don’t be surprised to see kids and adults setting them off in the street. Fear factor aside, it makes for quite the spectacle, especially as the clock ticks inexorably towards midnight. It also means you can skip the official midnight display – usually held at the Kop van Java – because, trust us, you can see fireworks literally everywhere already. In fact, you’ll likely see some of the very best on the banks of the Amstel, as locals go wild with their own colorful launches.
The Dutch dress to the nines for New Year’s Eve, so no slouching in baggy pants and sweaters! Bust out the glad rags and glam it up for a night out at some of Amsterdam’s glitziest addresses. Start with one of the decadent dinner packages at the likes of the opulent Grand Café Krasnapolsky or the Michelin-starred White Room. These and many other flashy (and not so flashy) Amsterdam restaurants offer multi-course packages that come (more often than not) with a glass of fizz to toast the New Year at midnight. And remember: advance booking is essential!
There will be literally hundreds of club nights and parties to choose from in Amsterdam on New Year’s Eve. Dance yourself dizzy at Madam on the 20th floor of the iconic A’DAM Tower (Amsterdam’s highest nightclub, no less), shimmy the night away at the annual Awakenings bash at Gashouder, or just hit up the nearest public square. You’ll find some of the best unofficial New Year’s parties taking place on Leidseplein, Nieuwmarkt and Dam Square. Don’t forget to bid fellow revelers a hearty ‘Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!' through mouthfuls of oliebollen as the bells peal out.
And Finally…
It’s the morning after the night before, so what could be more natural than joining thousands of brave Dutch men and women in the time-honored tradition of dashing into the icy waters of Zandvoort aan Zee. Anyone can take part in this crazy New Year’s Day activity – you just need to register online first. Shivering participants are rewarded afterwards with a certificate and a much-needed cup of hot pea soup. Enjoy!
