The most wonderful time of the year has arrived: the holiday season, including the much-anticipated Christmas break! Amsterdam is buzzing with activities for kids, offering plenty of ways to make this holiday unforgettable. From exploring festive Christmas markets and the magic of Hortus by Night to an afternoon of ice skating – hopefully on natural ice, but the rink at Museumplein is an absolute must-visit. And on a cold day? Snuggle up at home with Christmas movies and hot chocolate. Plenty of inspiration for a cosy Christmas break with the whole family! Check out our list of 11 X things to do during the Christmas break with kids in Amsterdam.
11 Fun Things to Do (with Kids) During the Christmas Break in Amsterdam
Ice Skating at Museumplein
During the Christmas break, Museumplein transforms into a winter wonderland with a large ice skating rink. After a year of absence, the rink is back and ready for hours of skating fun! Kids can rent skates and enjoy a warm hot chocolate with whipped cream. In the evening, the twinkling lights surrounding the rink make it even more magical. After skating, don’t forget to wander around the cozy Christmas market also located at Museumplein.
When: November 15, 2024, to February 2, 2025
Where: Museumplein
For more information, visit: ijsbaanmuseumplein.nl
© Ice Skating at Museumplein
Go on an Adventure in the Royal Palace
During the Christmas holidays, there’s plenty to explore for kids and (grand)parents at the Royal Palace, thanks to the special audio tours. For younger children, there’s the Prince Louis scavenger hunt. For older kids, there’s an exciting quest to find the stolen olive branch of peace. As a reward, a fun surprise awaits at the end of the tour to take home! Bonus: admission, including the audio tour, is free for children under 18.
Prince Louis (ages 5–8): Kids are guided through the tour by Prince Louis, son of King Louis Napoleon. He tells stories about the building and how his father transformed Amsterdam’s city hall into a palace in 1808. Each child receives a sticker scavenger hunt with this audio tour.
Jacob’s Adventure (ages 9–12): With this interactive audio tour, you’ll travel 350 years back in time. Something terrible has happened… the olive branch of peace has been stolen! Who did it, and why? Join Jacob on an adventure, discovering fascinating facts about the art and history of the building along the way.
© Your Little Black Book
Wereldkerstcircus
The Wereldkerstcircus at the Royal Theatre Carré is a true Christmas tradition and a perfect activity for the holiday season! From December 18 to January 5, enjoy an award-winning program full of spectacle. It’s great fun for the whole family or a cosy outing for two. Tickets sell fast, so make sure to get yours in time. It’s also an ideal activity to plan after Christmas for a magical end to the festive season!
When: December 18, 2024–January 5, 2025
Where: Amsterdam
More info on the website: carre.nl
Amsterdam Light Festival
The Amsterdam Light Festival transforms the city into a magical light spectacle every year. From the end of November to mid-January, you can enjoy impressive light installations throughout the city. Choose a walking route or enjoy the magic from the water during a boat tour on either open or closed boats. With kids, it’s also fun to walk part of the route, as 6.5 kilometers might be a bit much. In that sense, a boat tour at the beginning of the evening is a fun and kid-friendly adventure!
When: November 28, 2024, to January 19, 2025
Where: Amsterdam
For more information, visit: amsterdamlightfestival.com
© Amsterdam Light Festival
More Fun Things to Do (with Kids) During the Christmas Break in Amsterdam
SpongeBob – WONDR Experience
Nickelodeon and WONDR Experience Amsterdam are celebrating SpongeBob’s 25th anniversary with a SpongeBob Special! Dive into the colourful world of Bikini Bottom, where you’ll join SpongeBob and his friends on an underwater adventure. This interactive experience is full of imagination and fun.
When: Until January 2025
Where: WONDR Experience Amsterdam
For more info, visit: wondrexperience.com
© WONDR Experience
Christmas Markets
During the Christmas break, you’ll find several cosy Christmas markets in Amsterdam that are sure to get you in the festive spirit. Stroll past stalls filled with delicious treats, unique gifts, and handmade items. With live music in the background, it’s the perfect mix of cosiness and winter delight. A visit to the Christmas market at Museumplein is a must! Curious about the Christmas markets in Amsterdam in 2024? Check out our list of all Christmas markets in Amsterdam >>
Tintin – Fabrique des Lumières
Note: This is your last chance to visit during the first weekend of the Christmas holidays! Following its success in Paris, the immersive exhibition Tintin, The Immersive Adventure is back and on display until December 20 at Fabrique des Lumières in Amsterdam. Thanks to a collaboration between Culturespaces and Tintinimaginatio, Tintin’s adventures are brought to life digitally, featuring two new scenes. Step into the world of Tintin, Snowy, Captain Haddock, and other beloved characters, and relive Hergé’s iconic comic classics in a magical, interactive experience for all ages!
On display until December 20, 2024, Fabrique des Lumières – fabrique-lumieres.com
| TIP: starting the 21st of December Destination Kosmos is back at Fabrique des Lumières.
© Fabrique des Lumières – © Culturespaces / Marijn van Laerhoven / Hergé – Tintinimaginatio – 2024
Cinema Day with the Kids
On a rainy or cold day, a trip to the cinema with the kids is always a good idea! During the Christmas break, enjoy new films like Mees Kees op Eigen Benen, where Mees Kees learns to stand on his own while his class works on a robot project. Or, watch Mufasa: The Lion King, which tells the legend of Mufasa through Rafiki’s eyes.
| TIP: Planning a cozy Christmas movie marathon? Check out our list of the best Christmas films to watch with the family >>
More Fun Things to Do (with Kids) During the Christmas Break in Amsterdam
The Amsterdam Winter Paradise
The Amsterdam Winter Paradise at RAI Amsterdam is the ultimate destination for winter fun during the Christmas break. There’s so much to do: indoor and outdoor ice skating, a ride on the Ferris wheel, playing in the snow garden, curling, and a cosy kids’ club where children can do crafts. Additionally, there are plenty of stalls offering delicious winter snacks.
When: December 18, 2024, to January 4, 2025
Where: RAI Amsterdam
For more information, visit: hetamsterdamsewinterparadijs.nl
© The Amsterdam Winter Paradise
Circus Zanzara
Circus Zanzara is back at Westerpark! Expect a unique blend of circus, theatre, live music, and humour that will bring smiles to both kids and (grand)parents. This intimate circus turns nothing into a spectacle, ensuring an unforgettable afternoon filled with magic and chaos.
When: December 14, 2024, to January 5, 2025
Where: Westerpark Sculpture Garden
For more information, visit: zanzara.nl
more Things to do Christmas break with kids in Amsterdam
Hortus by Night
Discover the magic of Hortus by Night! This winter, enjoy an evening stroll through light installations designed by artist Tim Vermeulen. His light art takes you on a journey through time, from the Big Bang to the first plants, showcasing the interconnectedness of everything. After your walk, warm up by the campfire with mulled wine or hot chocolate (with or without a splash of rum). For kids, there’s a storyteller adding to the festive magic.
When: December 19–23, 27–30, 2024, and January 2–5, 2025
Where: Hortus Botanicus
For more information, visit: dehortus.nl
© Hortus by Night
For you: Amsterdam tips to keep top of mind
The essential tips and (restaurant) shortlists that you always want to have on hand for a dose of Amsterdam inspiration.
► Restaurant hit-list:
new restaurants |
favorite restaurants |
wine bars |
lunch &
brunch |
breakfast |
coffee |
terraces |
coming soon |
more tips >>
► TOP-5 hotels:
The Hoxton LLOYD |
Hotel Jakarta |
Pulitzer |
Volkshotel |
Sir Adam|
more tips >>
► TOP-5 museums & experiences:
Le Foodwalk |
STRAAT Museum |
Fabrique des Lumières |
MOCO |
Amaze |
more tips >>
| PS: don’t live in Amsterdam? Rent a bike here >>
► Fun city trips by train from Amsterdam:
Paris (from €35,-),
Antwerp (from €21,-),
London (from €103,- round trip),
Berlin (from €38,-) &
Düsseldorf (from €20,-)
► Weekend getaway? Discover the most beautiful hotels and
holiday homes in the Netherlands.
With love,
Danique
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