NEW YEAR'S EVE IN AMSTERDAM

JOIN THE LOCALS IN THE CITY CENTRE

The reasons to visit Amsterdam are endless. But the holiday season in the Netherlands offers visitors something extra. It’s warm, inviting, exciting and awe-inspiring. Locals reciprocate a cheerful mood through socializing, food, and crazy events that reflect how much the Dutch like to celebrate life. Join them in the city center to get a magical holiday experience.

Enjoy food stands filled with fresh baked traditional treats and foods. Meet and learn about locals and their traditions and try participating in some Amsterdam events put on by the city or the shopping centers.

New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam is the perfect time to share a kiss, a bite, and creating new experiences with old and new friends. There is definitely enough beer to go around, and champagne of course. The Dutch also love their olliebollen during the holidays. A visit to Amsterdam in December is not complete until you try one from the many food stalls around the city. And while you’re at it, fill your belly with a fresh, hot apple beignet. They’re almost as famous as the oliebollen and definitely just as tasty.

GO FOR A CITY WALK

The 31st of December is not a day to spend inside. It gets dark early, so as it gets later in the afternoon the city will start to look magical. Charming Christmas decorations, locals rushing home from work getting their last party essentials from Albert Heijn and the smell of oliebollen filling the streets. Another extra you get to enjoy during this time of the year is the Amsterdam Light Festival. The 2024/2025 theme ‘Rituals’ will probably blend in smoothly with the fireworks and the impressive light art is definitely worth a detour, espacially this special edition that takes place in the 750th anniversary year of Amsterdam! You will find installations in different locations throughout the city and the Light Festival walking route is a highlight in every sense of the word. 

WATCH FIREWORKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY

As the sun starts to set, which is early in December, the sound of roman candles, firecrackers and rockets increases by the minute. In the Netherlands, all citizens are allowed to light their own fireworks for the occasion, and they do so in masse. Stunning illuminations make the city glow from all angles and give the beginning of a new year the magic touch of a fairy tale warzone. We’re not exaggerating, things can get rough and a little caution is required, but don’t let the loud bangs stop you from exploring the city and experience the NYE craziness. The Amstel river banks is a perfect location to watch Amsterdammers get creative with explosives and they provide the best views of everything that’s getting launched into the night sky. It’s going to be loud, colorful and exciting! But don’t worry too much about location, no spot in town is fireworks free on NYE.

A little less extreme is entirely possible too. The city organizes an official fireworks show, which will probably take place at the ‘Kop van Java’, close to the central station on the shores of the Ij-lake, like previous years. This fireworks show is all about the looks and spectacle, not creating the loudest bangs.

Dress to Impress

Where ‘casual is key’ on 364 nights of the year in the Netherlands, New Year’s Eve is definitely the exception. On this day, most Dutchies go all out and you’ll look out of place if you don’t tag along. Suits, ties, dresses and heels: tonight they’re the standard. So bring your shiniest outfit or plan a shopping session before you head of the party because on NYE in the Netherlands, all that glitters is definitely gold! More info on dress codes? Click here.

THE DAY AFTER

‘Gelukkig nieuwjaar!’. Remember that phrase, as you’re going to hear it all day, every day, for at least a week after New Year’s Eve. Wishing everyone, from parents to friends and colleagues to total strangers, a happy new year is part of the holiday traditions and is usually accompanied by three kisses on the cheeks, but only if you know someone well. Haven’t had enough of partying after the big night? This is an excellent time to continue the festivities into a wide range of ‘New Year’s drinks’ and events. Most houses in Amsterdam aren’t too big, so inviting all your friends over for a new year’s toast is usually not an option. The Dutch take the party to one of the many clubs and bars and of course, all visitors are welcome to join in. The best way to cure that hangover is with some leftover Oliebollen and a fresh glass of champagne.

Do you want to take your immersion in Dutch New Year’s traditions very literally? And perhaps a little extreme? Start 2025 with the Dutch polar bear plunge in Scheveningen, our traditional ‘New Year’s Dive’ on the first day of the new year. Isn’t that cold? Yes, it is. But we do it anyway! Around 30.000 crazy Dutchies take the plunge and warm up with a bowl of hot traditional pea soup afterward.