Old New Amsterdam

Celebrating New Year's Eve in Amsterdam: you don't want to miss this

Team YLBB

 

31 December 2025
Last updated: December 31, 2025

Every year, we enjoy New Year's Eve with friends and family, dazzling fireworks lighting up the sky, and the start of a new year. Around New Year's Eve, there's plenty to do in the capital, including fireworks displays, various parties, and delicious dinners at chic restaurants. Even on January 1st, you can still find fun activities in Amsterdam to kick off the new year. This and more is covered in this article about celebrating New Year's Eve in Amsterdam. Let's go out with a bang!

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**Rotterdam is a vibrant city: Rotterdam is a vibrant city** As a child I came there with my parents to shop, as a teenager and in my twenties to club. Now I love coming there for a weekend escape characterized by good food, nice wine bars and that typical Rotterdam down-to-earth attitude. Rotterdam is buzzing with creativity and has a real IT factor. In this mini-guide, I share my favorite hotspots that you'll really want to know. 📌𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘇𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 for your next trip to Rotterdam. 𝗖𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗘 ⦁ @parqiet_parkcafe ⦁ @dunerotterdam ⦁ @wollyaandewaterkant ⦁ @nice.neighbourhood 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 ⦁ @morganandmees ⦁ @hotelame ⦁ @roommate_bruno ⦁ @thejameshotelrotterdam 𝗡𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦 ⦁ Noord ⦁ Katendrecht ⦁ Dijkzigt (Museum Park) ⦁ Scheepvaartkwartier 𝗗𝗢 ⦁ Take the Watertaxi ⦁ @boijmans ⦁ Walk & unwind at de Kralingse Plas ⦁ @nlfotomuseum ⦁ Visit @stationbergweg 𝗘𝗔𝗧 ⦁ @tresrotterdam ⦁ @barbertarotterdam ⦁ @hinoki_rotterdam ⦁ @barbistroloevetdie ⦁ @oxrotterdam ⦁ @restaurant_rotonde ⦁ On my to-visit list, the new @lioncitybistro 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦 ⦁ @walsjerot_nl ⦁ @cafeverward ⦁ @spikizibar ⦁ @lenselinq 💌What's your favourite spot in Rotterdam? ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
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I have always been part of the family and have always been proud of my work. NEW DATE AND EVENTS IN AMSTERDAM 🗝️👀 Mark your calendars! Because on January 17 & 18 Hotelnacht is back in Amsterdam with an edition full of health & wellness events and of course legendary parties that you will be talking about all year long. I got a sneak peek at The Art of Balance theme at the luxurious Anantara Krasnapolsky and arranged a similarly special experience for you as a YLBB follower. AND YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: • overnight stay for 2 people in a luxury room on January 17, 2026 • access to the spa & wellness (based on availability via the wellness desk) • pre-dinner cocktail at Bar The Tailor • fully catered chef's dinner • passe-partouts for the Hotelnacht parties • extensive breakfast in the Wintergarden • participation in the unique Ice Experience in the Summergarden of Krasnapolsky 𝗭𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗔𝗞 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗦: • let us know who you would like to check in with at Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky during the Mastercard Hotelnacht • download the Mastercard Hotelnacht app where you can find the See the full program • and check out @hotelnacht and @anantarakrasnapolsky for the latest updates and to get the fun started! The winner will be notified on January 5th via a comment from @hotelnacht that I'll share in my stories. Fingers crossed for you! Love, Anne #hotelnacht #amsterdam #yourlbbcollab #winactie #giveaway
Merry Christmas 🎄❤️ I wish you very happy holidays. Curious what you are going to do today ✨. ✖️✖️✖️ @anne_de_buck PS: who recognizes this Christmas tree? 👀
I hope you enjoy it and have fun! 🎄 Send a message to that one friend you want to grab one with this weekend. 𝗭𝘂𝗶𝗱-𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Royal Christmas Fair – The Hague (until 23 Dec) @royalchristmasfairthehague – Winter Wonder Weeks – Leiden (12–14 & 18–21 Dec) – Green Christmas Market – Rotterdam (12–14 Dec) – Dordrecht December Days Christmas Market – Dordrecht (13–14 Dec) – Rotterdam Harvest Christmas Edition – Rotterdam (13 & 20 Dec) 𝗚𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Winter Festival Zutphen – Zutphen (14 Dec) 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴 – Christmas City Valkenburg – Valkenburg (until 4 Jan) Christmas Market – Delden Christmas Market – Delden (13 Dec) – Dickens Festival – Deventer (13–14 Dec) – (H)onest Christmas Market – Deventer (13–14 Dec) Christmas Market – Museumplein Christmas Market – Amsterdam (until 28 Dec) – Haarlem Christmas Market – Haarlem (12–14 Dec) – Funky Xmas Sunday Market – Amsterdam (21 Dec) – Pure Markt Winter Market – Amsterdam (21 Dec) 𝗨𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗵𝘁 – Winter Market Molen de Ster – Utrecht (13–14 Dec) – The Utrecht Winter Spectacle – Utrecht (18 Dec–4 Jan) Have fun! Nothing is as much fun as spontaneous plans in December. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊 @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #christmasmarketnetherlands #christmasmarkets2025 christmasmarketamsterdam christmasmarketthehague christmasoutings thingstodointhenetherlands
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Celebrating New Year's Eve in Amsterdam

Fireworks shows during New Year's Eve in Amsterdam

Amsterdam hosts several fireworks displays every year around New Year's Eve, which are usually free to the public. The largest fireworks display takes place at Museumplein, and this year the city is also organizing displays at Sloterplas and on IJburg.  

Moreover, there is a ban on consumer fireworks in Amsterdam, so the organised shows still give you the feeling of New Year's Eve. View the latest information on the Amsterdam City Council website >>

Celebrate New Year's Eve in Amsterdam at Museumplein

The celebration on Museumplein is once again one of the city's biggest NYE events. Just like last year, there are two shows: an early family celebration and the regular evening show. The children's show is a full-fledged, special display featuring eco-fireworks, hosted by Edson da Graça. Starting at 6:45 PM, he'll help crack the fireworks code, and if he succeeds, a spectacular moment of light and fireworks will follow, specially designed for families and young Amsterdammers.

Later in the evening, the grand New Year's Eve celebrations begin. Doors open at 10:00 PM, and the square will be livened up with live music from 11:00 PM. At midnight, the festivities kick off with a colorful light and fireworks show by the iconic countdown clock. Afterwards, there's a short afterparty with a DJ until 12:30 AM. 

Celebrate New Year's Eve in Amsterdam at the Nieuwmarkt and in Chinatown

On New Year's Eve, the Nieuwmarkt in Chinatown is a vibrant central square, where you can enjoy delicious food and drinks, fireworks, and a spectacular show organized by the Amsterdam municipality. This show is usually based on traditional Chinese festivals, with performers dressed in elaborate traditional costumes. Incidentally, the biggest celebration in 2026 will be on February 17th, Chinese New Year, and traditionally features a lion dance parade. Spiritual messages are also frequently addressed around this time of year.

Old New Amsterdam

Celebrate more New Year's Eve in Amsterdam

Celebrate New Year's Eve in Amsterdam at a sky bar or on a rooftop

You can also choose to celebrate the New Year from a great height, allowing you to enjoy all the festivities and fireworks displays even better. For this, consider visiting the following sky bars and/or rooftops. Note: you will need tickets for these!
• Restaurant Canvas (Volkshotel): On the seventh floor of this hotel, a tropical oasis takes place during New Year's Eve, with a great line-up, delicious cocktails and a cozy dance floor.
• LuminAir: In this luxurious sky bar you can enjoy the beautiful view over Amsterdam, while you get delicious cocktails and listen to nice music.
• Hotel Jakarta: Or celebrate the final hours of 2025 at the Pasar Makan New Year's Eve Party at Hotel Jakarta, featuring an Indonesian-style food market. You can sample all sorts of delicacies while enjoying a glass of champagne and fantastic entertainment with Amsterdam's best DJs.

The best New Year's Eve parties in Amsterdam

Besides various fireworks displays, lively gatherings in famous squares, and parties at great heights, there are many more parties to attend during NYE in Amsterdam. For this year's edition, we've compiled another list of the best parties to be had on NYE in Amsterdam. We've compiled a complete overview of the best events. Read all about the best parties on NYE in Amsterdam here >>

Celebrate New Year's Eve in Amsterdam in a (chic) ​​restaurant

New Year's Eve is also the perfect opportunity to enjoy a delicious dinner, and several restaurants are developing special menus for this holiday. Will you opt for a classic New Year's Eve dinner, or would you prefer a real party with entertainment during dinner? Check out our list of all restaurants serving a special New Year's Eve dinner here >>

Public transport during New Year's Eve in Amsterdam

On New Year's Eve, public transport in and around Amsterdam will operate until 20:00 PM. Night buses will resume service at 1:30 AM on the night of December 31st to January 01st, after which municipal transport, including trams and metros, will operate on their Sunday schedule. This is in line with national policy for public transport around New Year's Eve, as the Dutch Railways (NS) will also suspend train services from 20:00 PM on December 31st. This allows employees working in this sector to celebrate the last hours of the old year and the beginning of the new one.

What to do on January 1st in Amsterdam?

Waking up on January 1st always feels a little strange to me. A sense of emptiness, but also a wealth of opportunity. What works best for me? Get outside and do something! Don't worry, there's still plenty to do in Amsterdam on New Year's Day, such as amsterdam light festival, which can be visited until January 18th. You can explore a variety of unique light artworks on various themes on foot, by bike, or by boat. Several museums are also open on New Year's Day, including the Rijksmuseum , FOAM photography museum en NEMOWant to have brunch with friends on January 1st? Or grab a party? Several cafes are organizing something! Check out our list of cafes open on January 1st >>

How will you celebrate New Year's Eve in Amsterdam this year to ring in a new year full of surprises?

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