Seek and find
Last updated: January 3, 2026
With this special edition of the Amsterdam Weekend Guide, you'll ring in the new year in the most fun way possible. Created for anyone looking for great shortlists for New Year's Eve in Amsterdam or fun things to do on January 1st and the weekend after. Enjoy, and have a happy new year!
PS: The tips are listed daily. Below you'll find the tips for January 2, 3, and 4, 2026.
What to do on December 31, 2025 in Amsterdam
Dining out on December 31 in Amsterdam
From luxurious dinners with all the trimmings to charming restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat on New Year's Eve, then pop open a bottle of bubbly at home at midnight or head to a party. I've compiled a list of restaurants where you can make reservations on December 31st. View all 21 tips here >>
Celebrating New Year's Eve at the Museumplein
If you enjoy celebrating New Year's Eve outdoors, Museumplein is the place to be. This year, too, it's one of the city's biggest NYE events, with two events to ring in the new year: "Electric Fireworks" and "Electric Fireworks Junior."
Early in the evening, there's "Electric Fireworks Junior," a special family celebration with its own show and eco-fireworks. Host Edson da Graça will guide young and old alike through the challenge of cracking the fireworks code starting at 6:45 PM. If you succeed, a light and fireworks spectacle follows, perfectly suited for families and young Amsterdammers.
Starting at 10:00 PM, the square fills up for the big New Year's Eve celebration. Live music starts at 11:00 PM to warm up the crowd, and at midnight, the New Year is heralded with a colorful light and fireworks show by the iconic countdown clock. You can also stay a little longer: there's a short afterparty with a DJ until 12:30 AM.
| TIP: Read more general and useful tips about celebrating New Year's Eve in Amsterdam here >>
Fun parties on December 31st in Amsterdam
Bathhouse Old & New
At Badhuis, NYE is celebrated like an extra-large living room party. Three areas, a massive lineup, and an atmosphere that immediately sets the tone for 2026. Between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM, you'll be welcomed with Palomas, cava, oysters, and bitterballen (a kind of meatball) on the house. Then the pace picks up, and the dancing continues late into the night. The party is an ode to all the guests who make Badhuis a home. Tickets are going fast, so if you want to be there, book them here now >>
Javaplein 21, Amsterdam
Pasar Makan New Year's Eve Party at Hotel Jakarta
This year, Hotel Jakarta is the place to be for a delicious end to 2025. The evening will feature the Pasar Makan (food market), where you'll embark on a culinary journey through the hotel. From unlimited drinks and delicious Indonesian and Western snacks to live acts and entertainment. The evening concludes with disco and house music at the Malabar Skybar, overlooking the IJ River.
Javakade 766, Amsterdam – hoteljakarta.amsterdam
| TIP: Check out the longlist of 19 New Year's Eve parties in Amsterdam here >>
Tips for celebrating NYE at home
Are you celebrating New Year's Eve at home this weekend? How fun! Think a table full of delicious snacks, some good bubbly, and a game together—or perhaps a long evening of dining with a lavish dinner. Celebrating at home is worth a little something extra.
The best oliebollen in Amsterdam
- View the oliebollen shortlist for Amsterdam here >>
- And here you can find the tastiest ones outside Amsterdam >>
Here you can shop for the tastiest products for your home dinner
- A table full of snacks without having to spend a lot of time in the kitchen? You'll want to know these delicatessens >>
- Cheese fondue is always a good idea. It's minimal effort, very enjoyable, and even tastier if you buy fresh cheese fondue from a specialty store. View the tips here >>
- Sometimes it's okay to cheat a little in the kitchen. At these international supermarkets, you'll often find delicious dishes ready to go in the oven or freshly made pasta that only needs to be boiled. View all international supermarkets here >>
- Buying specialty beers in Amsterdam? You want to know these stores >>
- Why not have an Asian-inspired dinner? Dim sum as a starter, Peking duck as a main course, and mochi for dessert. Get all the goodies for your NYE dinner here >>
- Seafood, from oysters to scallops. You want to know these fish shops >>
- Looking for the best butchers in town? You'll often find delicious ready-to-serve meals here. View them here >>
- Cheese for dessert? Here you will get really good advice for a delicious cheese board >>
| TIP: Also check out these tips for delicious champagne cocktails and more really good recipes from cookbooks.
What to do on January 1, 2026 in Amsterdam
These cafes in Amsterdam are perfect for New Year's drinks
Fancy going out for drinks somewhere on January 1st? Then you'll want to know this shortlist of cafes that are open >>
Go to the World Christmas Circus in Carré
Make January 1st extra special with a visit to the World Christmas Circus in the Royal Theatre CarréBe enchanted by the spectacular acts. This iconic circus brings world-class performances to Amsterdam and is a wonderful way to end the festive season and kick off the new year with a bang.
Louie Louie Bottomless Brunch
Louie Louie kicks off their annual Bottomless Brunch on January 1st. They'll serve a delicious menu, unlimited cava for three hours, and continue the New Year's Eve party with DJ Randy West. Hungover or not, this brunch (which costs just €55, including drinks) is not to be missed. Reservations can be made here >> Linnaeusstraat 11A, Amsterdam
amsterdam light festival
Fancy a romantically lit walk or a boat trip? Then go to the Amsterdam Light FestivalYou don't necessarily have to do it with your lover; it's just as much fun to start the new year together with your best friend.
Awakenings – New Year's by Day
Start the new year with a dose of daylight techno at Awakenings New Year's by Day. The lineup includes DJ Gigola, Eva Vrijdag, Lammer, LB aka Labat, Lucky Done Gone x Saidah, and Malugi, perfect for those who prefer to hit the dance floor during the day. Expect the same energy and production Awakenings is known for, but in a daytime setting.
Sugarfactory 1, Amsterdam
Home port The New Year's Dance with TJADE & FRIENDS
Start your year on the dance floor at Thuishaven's New Year's Dance, where house and trance take center stage. This year, Tjade & Friends will be at the helm, along with Sam Alfred, Dart, Maruwa, Olivia Lensen, and a B2B set from Kara Okay. Expect an energetic start to 2026 in Thuishaven's signature festival setting.
Home port, Amsterdam
Weekend tips for January 2, 3 & 4 in Amsterdam
The Hortus winter evenings
When was the last time you visited the Hortus botanicus in Amsterdam? Perhaps never? Then discover the magic of the Hortus botanicus this winter. Hortus Winter EveningsIn the evening, you can enjoy a walk through the greenhouses until 19 p.m. Afterward, you can relax by the campfire with mulled wine or hot chocolate (with or without a dash of rum). The Hortus Winter Evenings can still be visited on January 2 and 3, 2026.
The Foodwalk during the Amsterdam Light Festival
This tip is for anyone who wants to do something fun this weekend with a friend, a group of friends, parents or colleagues. Le Foodwalk can still be booked for a few weeks during the Amsterdam Light Festival!
Until January 18th, you can book a food walk every day, taking in the artworks of the Amsterdam Light Festival, with snacks or drinks included in your ticket. The route and all the information about the light artworks, plus your digital stamp card, can be found in the Amsterdam Light Festival app, which you receive with the Foodwalk.
Such a fun experience to do together and be outside, walking and working on those 10K steps and chatting with friends while picking up a snack along the way.
THIS YEAR THERE ARE 4 DIFFERENT FOODWALKS:
- Street Food Walk (the classic), every Thursday through Saturday. Tickets for this weekend, including 4 snacks >>
- Oyster Walk, every Thursday through Saturday. Tickets for this weekend, including 8 oysters >>
- Cocktail Walk, every Wednesday through Saturday. Tickets for this weekend, including 3 cocktails >>
- Amsterdam Walk (aka the drinks walk with Dutch drinks and bar bites), every Sunday through Wednesday. Tickets for this Sunday, including 3 drinks + bar bites >>
Prefer a sit-down dinner? We've got you! Book an Early or Late Dinner.
Would you rather enjoy a full meal before or after your Amsterdam Light Festival walk? There's a great deal for you this year too! For just €41, you can enjoy a starter and main course (choose Early Dinner) or a main course + dessert (choose Late Dinner) and you will receive the Amsterdam Light Festival app worth €6,99 with the route and all information about the light artworks. View all sample menus here and book directly >>
And do you already have plans for this weekend? Then book quickly for another weekend before it sells out (like last year)!
Also nice: the tickets are cheaper this year than last year. View all Foodwalks here and get your tickets now >>
Ice skating in Amsterdam
From the ice rink at Museumplein to many other ice rinks that might be less well-known. How fun would it be to hit the ice this weekend? Fancy a drink somewhere afterward? Go for it! Also check out my tips for more ice rinks opening in Amsterdam this year >>
Go to the cinema
Want to do something fun, but still take it easy after all the parties of the past few weeks? Catching a movie is perfect for me. Check out our monthly cinema schedule here and see which films are showing in Amsterdam >>
Weekend markets
I'm constantly amazed by how many delicious food stalls there are at Amsterdam's markets every weekend. While I'm grocery shopping, I always pick up something delicious (to share!), because believe me: you'll want to try as much as possible here.
Circus Zanzara at Westergas
Circus Zanzara returns to the Westergasfabriek with its new show, The Art of Making Art—a poetic, musical, and humorous journey through the chaos and beauty of the creative process. Expect acrobatics, live music, wonder, a touch of nostalgia, and that signature Zanzara feeling that transports you to another world. Behind the scenes, everything goes awry, but that's precisely what creates something magical: a warm, moving, and sometimes hilarious spectacle that's enjoyed by all ages. Perfect for a winter afternoon or evening in a warm, retro circus tent. The circus runs in Amsterdam West until January 4th. More info & tickets >>
Admire the Christmas tree on Dam Square and visit the palace
Have you seen the enormous Christmas tree on Dam Square yet? It's a real reason to visit Dam Square this Christmas.
The Palace is also open throughout the Christmas holidays (with the exception of December 25 and January 1). And in the Royal Palace There's plenty to do for children and (grand)parents during the Christmas holidays, thanks to special audio tours. For younger children, there's the Prince Louis treasure hunt. For older children, there's an exciting search for the stolen peace branch. As a reward, there's a fun surprise waiting at the end of the tour to take home! Extra fun: Admission including audio tour is free for children up to 18 years old.
Prince Louis (ages 5-8): Children are guided on this tour by Prince Louis, son of King Louis Napoleon. He tells them about the building and how his father transformed Amsterdam City Hall into a palace in 1808. Each child also participates in a sticker scavenger hunt with this audio tour.
Jacob's Adventure (ages 9-12): This interactive audio tour takes you back 350 years. Something terrible has happened… the peace branch has been stolen! Who did it and why? Join Jacob on this adventure. Along the way, you'll discover all sorts of things about the building's art and history.
Fancy a bite to eat with a little something extra?
I always find this so enjoyable—and also ideal to do with friends or as a family. A place where you're all together at the table, preparing the food, and the meal naturally lingers. From steaming pans to bubbling melted cheese: I wanted to share these lists with you again.
A few other tips on what I always do on the first weekend of the year <3
I can totally imagine you're completely done with all the obligations and just want to relax and tinker around the house this weekend. Seriously, I GET YOU!
What do I always like to do at the beginning of the new year?
- All the Christmas stuff out of the house. I used to leave everything up as long as possible, but now I put everything away immediately – except for a few lights. A tidy house, a clear mind to start 2026 full of energy.
- In line with that, I'm making plans to declutter and clear out. Whatever I no longer need, I'll sell online as much as possible, and that money will go towards any upcoming trips.
- What am I tidying up? My wardrobe, shoe cabinet, bookcase, kitchen cupboards, and yes, even those drawers where you secretly stash everything year-round when you need to quickly get something out of sight. Those are the ones!
I also make a lot of lists, from bucket-list-like to more personal. I'll share some tips.
- Which destinations would I like to visit in 2026? Everyone always thinks a creator's life is completely sponsored. And maybe that's true sometimes, but when I look at Your Little Black Book, 80% of the trips I plan are entirely my own initiative. I notice that, instead of always discovering something new, I'm actually returning more often to places that feel right for me. Sometimes I plan entire trips around a special event I've always wanted to experience. Deepening and connecting with destinations: that's something I strongly believe in.
- What fun things and outings do I want to do in the Netherlands or abroad? From new museums to that one city I haven't been to in years. For the spring of 2026, I've resolved to travel to the Netherlands more often. That would be a great day trip too!
- Are there things in Amsterdam I still want to do? Every year, I make a longlist of restaurants I still want to visit, or places I'd like to return to. It also includes small eateries and market stalls with delicious treats. And let's not forget: neighborhoods further outside the city center that I visit less often.
- What do I want to do more of this year? Like spending more time with friends, establishing a family tradition, going for walks in the woods more often, and putting my phone away more often.
- What will I no longer do? I create Your Little Black Book with a very small team, and I also do a lot myself because that's what I enjoy most. I don't like managing, I enjoy creating things myself. Every year, I make a list of the things I want to focus more on professionally, and especially what I won't be doing anymore. Every day, I get dozens of emails from agencies and solopreneurs asking if I can write about them "for a bit" because they need promotion. I invest a lot of time and money in keeping tips about Amsterdam and beyond up-to-date. We select the addresses we share ourselves, and we write everything based on our own feelings and experience. Working for free on request is simply not an option in 2026. After all, no one pays my salary, because Your Little Black Book is an independent platform and not part of a large publishing house. It's actually quite remarkable that thousands of articles and tips are available for free in an age where everyone charges for tips on Substack ;-). And believe it or not, you still get messages from people who feel entitled to something. I have only one answer to that: I'll keep charting my own course. Keep writing about things that reflect my own life and fit the world of Your Little Black Book. That's the only way, as a creator and online entrepreneur, to maintain the energy and joy of doing what you do, and to be engaged with it almost 24/7. In 2026, there are many exciting new things coming, but also some changes. For now, I especially want to thank you, our loyal reader, for being there. Straight from the heart: THANK YOU for all your support in 2026. I'm sure everyone can think of a similar goal or invisible line for themselves, personally or professionally. Focus on the things you want to achieve, and you'll see that everything you focus on will grow in 2026!
I wish you a healthy and loving new year <3.
With love, Anne
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