Old New Amsterdam

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

Team YLBB

 

31 December 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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𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 🫕 Thinking back of amazing days in the snow, I'm in the mood for cheese fondue! I call it comfort food at its finest, and I also love making fresh cheese fondue at home this winter (sometimes even better than eating out ✌🏼☺️). 𝗠𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺: 📍 @badhuis.amsterdam (East) Every Thursday is fondue night. For €26 pp you dig into a pot of cheese fondue with unlimited sourdough bread, crudités and vegetables. Good vibes included! 📍 @smelt.amsterdam (City Centre) Always a good idea. The cheeses come from De Kaaskamer, so yes: this is next level. Perfect if you love to mix & match. 📍 @cafe_bern (City Centre) Here they serve the best Classic Gruyère cheese fondue. No fuss, just great flavour. This is cheese fondue exactly how it's meant to be. 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁-𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻: 📍 @fromagerie_kef (City Centre, North & East) Amsterdam's go-to cheese specialist. From fondue cheeses to perfect wine pairings — and yes, tasting is encouraged. 📍 @fromagerielamuse (South) Cheese fondue kits for at home plus several recipes to make yourself. Which one will you try first? 📍 @dekaaskameramsterdam (City Centre) Swiss fondue, Dutch cheese fondue or ready-made options — you'll always leave with everything you need for the ultimate cozy night in. On 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸.𝗺𝗲 you'll find the complete guide with 12+ cheese fondue spots in Amsterdam. Let's make a list like this for the rest of The Netherlands too! What's your favorite spot? 🧀 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck Follow @yourlbb & @yourlbb.amsterdam for more Amsterdam restaurant guides, travel guides & the best things to do on the weekends. #cheesefondue #amsterdam #winter
Do you still have a permanent job? This TRAVEL TIP is for everyone who wants to travel a lot in 2026 despite having a permanent job. Save these tips, put them next to your calendar and send them to your travel bestie! And then ask for time off as soon as possible, before your colleagues see these tips too ;-). Happy travels 😘 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗩𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗚𝗼𝗲𝗱𝗲 𝗩𝗿𝗶𝗷𝗱𝗮𝗴 & 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗻 ⟶ Take vacation days: March 30 - April 2 & April 7 - 10 ⟶ Number of vacation days required: 8 ツ Total free period: March 28 - April 12 (16 days) Holidays & Vacation ⟶ Take vacation days: April 28 - May 1, May 4 & May 6 - 8 ⟶ Number of vacation days required: 8 days ツ Total free: April 25 - May 10 (16 days) Holidays ⟶ Take vacation days: December 21 - 24 & December 28 - 31 ⟶ Number of vacation days required: 8 ツ Total free: December 21 - January 3, 2027 (16 days) **Vacation Schedule & Holidays** ⟶ Take vacation days: Monday, March 30 - Thursday, April 2 ⟶ Vacation days needed: 4 - Total free: March 28 - April 6 (10 days) **Vacation Schedule** ⟶ Take vacation days: May 15 ⟶ Number of vacation days needed: 1 ツ Total free: May 14-17 (4 days) 𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻 ⟶ Take vacation days: May 22 or 26 ⟶ Number of vacation days needed: 1 ツ Total free: May 22-25 or May 23-26 (4 days) Follow @yourlbb for more Travel Tips. And the extensive article about vacation days can now be found on 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸.𝗺𝗲 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #vakantiedagen2026 #traveltips
Market agenda and prices are rising steadily 👀 The market agenda may now be a little different Quieter, but luckily there’s still plenty planned for January & February, including a new gem (I predict)! Don’t miss these weekend markets: • 𝗡𝗶𝗲𝘂𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺: @cabinetamsterdam, a curated vintage design market under one roof, including snacks & coffee. • @sundaymarket • Museum Market • @rotterdamseoogst • @themakermarket The complete guide on Your Little Black Book lists 12 weekend markets in the Netherlands, including dates & locations for January & February. Send these tips to your market-wandering bestie! Follow @yourlbb for more tips on restaurants, travel, hotspots & the best things to do. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #weekendmarkets #netherlandstips #autumnouting #vintagemarket
**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
Maybe the last weekend with ice and snow ⛄️❄️ Are you cocooning indoors or preferring to go outside? In our Snowy Amsterdam Guide, I share my favorite winter tips for this weekend in the city. Save it – because snow days like this are rare 🥰 Do you have a nice winter tip for Amsterdam? I'm reading along 👀 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #snow #amsterdam #winter snow in amsterdam, things to do winter in amsterdam
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? 👀

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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