Amsterdam in December
Festive lights on the canals
The short answer
December is a good time to visit Amsterdam.
The canal rings strung with lights, Christmas markets and glühwein make early December genuinely atmospheric at pre-holiday prices.
7/10 overall2–7°CModerate crowds€€€ (Moderate)
Weather5/10
Crowds7/10
Prices6/10
Events8/10
December in detail
What December actually feels like
- Weather
- 2–7°C
- Cold and grey, occasionally frosty — festive lights carry the evenings
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Quiet early December; Christmas and New Year weeks bring a sharp demand spike
- Prices
- €€€ (Moderate)
- €130-190/night for 3-star hotels (varies sharply by week)
+Festive atmosphere, lights and Christmas markets.
–Cold, with higher demand around Christmas and New Year.
My tip for December
Go in the first half of December for the lights without the holiday price spike. Book ahead for the Christmas–New Year fortnight.
- Christmas markets
- Festive atmosphere
- Museums
- Cafés
How December compares
Against the other eleven months
7th of 12 overall in Amsterdam, 9th for weather, 4th for space, 5th for value. The emptiest month is January; the best value is January.
See all twelve months for AmsterdamNot set on December?
Even stronger months in Amsterdam
Ready to book December in Amsterdam?
Festive atmosphere, lights and Christmas markets.
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