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The Netherlands in December 2026: Weather, festive eats, and things to do
The Netherlands in December means Christmas markets, light art on the canals, and oliebollen season. Here's the weather, what to do, and where to go.
The Netherlands in December looks straight out of a festive storybook scene.
In Amsterdam, winter brings a slower rhythm to the capital city, with locals huddling in cosy cafés sipping hot chocolate or mulled wine. Yet there’s still plenty to do, with the city centre transforming into a winter wonderland, full of market stalls, ice rinks, and thousands of fairy lights.
We’re sharing what to expect from the weather, what to do in Amsterdam, and the seasonal treats to try, with tips from Laura, our colleague in Amsterdam. A Holafly travel eSIM keeps you connected along the way.
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Netherlands weather in December
The weather in the Netherlands in December is cold and crisp, yet the sheer number of festivities makes it one of the most charming and inviting months. The Netherlands temperature in December averages 3-7°C, so frosty mornings are common, and you might even get a snow day.
The Netherlands in December is pretty dark and grey, with short days and early sunsets (around 4:30 pm). However, many Dutch cities illuminate the streets at night with fairy lights and lanterns, making for romantic evening strolls.
The temperature in the Netherlands in December calls for plenty of warm layers, including a thick winter coat, gloves, and scarves. Netherlands in December weather can be a bit drizzly, so bring a rain jacket and waterproof boots, too.
Best time for photos? The early-morning fog for moody landscape shots, or the sunset glow along the canals for romantic selfies.
Best things to do in Amsterdam in December
Amsterdam is the first stop for what to do in the Netherlands in December, and the capital is full of festive fun and seasonal joy. Here are our top picks on things to do in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in December:
Amsterdam Light Festival (late November–January)
Every winter, Amsterdam’s picturesque canals transform into an open-air art gallery with impressive (and thought-provoking) light installations.
The 15th edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, with more than 20 light artworks along the canals. The lights are on every evening from 5:00 PM, except on New Year’s Eve.
There are three ways to enjoy the festival: on foot, by bicycle, or on a heated canal boat. All include an audio tour or live guide so that you can learn the stories behind the installations.
Christmas Markets and Ice Skating
Amsterdam has various festive markets dotted around the city in December, but one of the most popular is the Museumplein Christmas Market. Here you’ll find a huge open-air ice rink and a charming Christmas village with 45 market stalls and food vendors.
Amsterdam Winter Paradise at RAI Amsterdam is another must-visit, which has everything from skating to rides to light shows. There is even a lively après-ski village with live music. It’s like Amsterdam’s version of London’s Winter Wonderland!
For even more festive magic, head 30 minutes out of the city centre to Winter Village Amstelveen. It’s where the locals head for some winter ice skating, as the ice rink here offers lessons and special events like disco skating.
Museums and Indoor Culture
When the chill sets in, head indoors to explore Amsterdam’s world-class museums. The Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Anne Frank House are much quieter at this time of year, allowing you to explore Dutch art and history in a warm, peaceful atmosphere.
If you’re travelling with kids, be sure to check out NEMO Science Museum, which has some fantastic interactive activities.
Then, of course, there is no shortage of cute cafés along the canals where you can warm up with a hot drink or tuck into some Dutch comfort food. Locals refer to this as “gezellig” (the Dutch word for cosy togetherness), and it’s a favourite winter pastime in the Netherlands!
Winter food you must try in the Netherlands
From hearty stews to warm, sweet treats, there are many festive specialities you can try when visiting the Netherlands in December:
Oliebollen
These sugar-dusted doughnuts might look simple, but they are delicious, especially when they’re fresh and hot! They’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and often filled with raisins, chopped apple, or candied citrus peel.
The Dutch eat oliebollen on New Year’s Eve, but you’ll find oliebollen stands popping up throughout Amsterdam’s squares and at the Christmas markets from November through January.
💡 Local tip: “Oliebollen season is the big one that gets us genuinely excited,” says Laura. Her favourites are the chocolate and Nutella-filled ones, and since locals don’t buy them at any other time of year, they feel extra special.
Stroopwafels & Poffertjes
One of the best foods in Amsterdam around Christmas is stroopwafels. These are thin waffles sandwiched with gooey caramel syrup. Luckily, you can find them at all the markets and at many canal-side vendors, though you’ll probably smell them before you see them!
Equally popular are poffertjes (usually called Dutch pancakes.) These bite-sized pancakes are dusted with butter and powdered sugar and go perfectly with hot chocolate!
Erwtensoep (Dutch split pea soup)
Known affectionately as snert, this thick, hearty soup is made from split peas, smoked sausage, and vegetables. It’s the ultimate comfort food on a cold day, and locals swear by it after ice skating or long winter walks. You’ll find it served at most traditional cafés (brown cafés).
Festive drinks
Warm drinks are essential during the cold Dutch winter. In the Netherlands in December, you’ll find many festive hot drinks in the cafés and Christmas markets, such as:
- Hot chocolate, usually topped with whipped cream
- Glühwein, the traditional German mulled wine
- Bisschopswijn, the Dutch take on mulled wine, made with white wine instead of red and spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and citrus
- Advocaat, a creamy egg-yolk-based liqueur similar to eggnog, which you eat with a spoon
Best places to visit in the Netherlands in December
If you’re wondering how many days in Amsterdam is best, we recommend four days. However, if you have the time, it’s worth extending your trip a day or two longer to check out another Dutch city.
For more things to do in the Netherlands in December, these cities have just as much festive magic as Amsterdam:
1. Utrecht
Often described as a mini Amsterdam, Utrecht’s canals glow with soft lanterns in December, and the city’s museums put on art exhibitions, theatre performances, and other festive events.
2. The Hague (Den Haag)
This seaside city goes all out with its Royal Christmas Fair, where 80 wooden stalls line the historic streets near the royal palace. Locals describe it as the country’s’ most beautiful Christmas market! Plus, check out the breathtaking ice sculptures at the iconic Ice Sculpture Festival!
💡 Local tip: Take the tram to the beach at Scheveningen, make a stop at the royal palace, and go to see Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, says Laura, who counts The Hague among her top five Dutch cities.
3. Rotterdam
Modern and creative, Rotterdam swaps traditional markets for art pop-ups, design fairs, and light installations that show off the city’s architectural edge.
Getting around the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a small country, so Utrecht, The Hague, and Rotterdam are all within about an hour of Amsterdam by train. The efficient Dutch trains (NS) make day trips affordable, with one-way tickets costing around €10-20 on the day.
💡 Local tip: Laura’s one rule for Dutch public transport is to always check in and check out. Tap your card when you board and tap the same card when you get off, so you’re charged per distance. Forgetting to tap out, she says, is the biggest mistake visitors make.
Stay connected while exploring the Netherlands this December
Whether you’re navigating Christmas markets, booking tickets to the light festival, or checking train timetables to The Hague, reliable mobile data is key.
Holafly’s eSIM Netherlands gives you unlimited data, 5G speeds, and 24/7 support. Set it up before you travel and activate it when you land, with no need to queue for a Netherlands SIM card or worry about roaming fees and patchy public WiFi. If your trip is only to the capital, there’s also an eSIM for Amsterdam.
Every Holafly eSIM includes Always On: 1 GB of monthly backup data at no added cost, which helps on a long layover or an unexpected extra day.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
FAQs about Netherlands in December
Yes. The Netherlands temperature in December averages 3-7°C, and frosty mornings are common. Pack warm layers, a thick winter coat, gloves, and a scarf.
Cold, grey, and often wet. December brings short days, with the sun setting around 4:30 PM, and frequent drizzle, so a rain jacket and waterproof boots are as useful as a warm coat. Dutch cities make up for the dark with fairy lights and lanterns along the streets.
Sometimes, but don’t count on it. You might get a snow day in December, though rain is far more common, and snow in the cities rarely stays on the ground for long.
Yes, if you book early. December brings the Amsterdam Light Festival, Christmas markets, and ice rinks, and the museums are quieter than in summer. The days around Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive, so reserve your hotel well in advance or visit earlier in the month.
Haarlem and Utrecht are two of the prettiest. Local tip: Our Amsterdam-based colleague Laura recommends Haarlem for its old-town charm, pretty canals, and cafés full of locals, and Utrecht for its canals below street level. In Amsterdam itself, her favourite area to wander is the Jordaan.
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Hi, I'm Mika, a South Korean writer living in the US. I cover travel and live events, focusing on the practical stuff that makes your trip smoother, whether you're navigating a new city or heading to a major international event.I'm also the founder of Search SEOul, South Korea's leading SEO conference, bringing together search marketing experts and speakers from around the world.
