December in Amsterdam: What to do?

When in Amsterdam...there are plenty of things to do in December. Here is not a comprehensive list of things going on in Amsterdam during the month of December in 2017.

English Speakers always want to talk about the weather.

Lets get this out of the way first. The weather in Amsterdam in December is not going to be good. It is going to be cold and miserable outside. If this image is in your head then everything is going to be fine. You don't come to Amsterdam for the weather! That aside here are some useful tips.

1. It's going to be colder than you think. The large amount of water in Amsterdam means what the weather man or woman has typed into your forecast is not what it feels like.
2. Don't look at the temperature, look at the wind direction. 
1. West wind = normal, changeable, fresh, rain; 
2. North = stable; 
3. South = doesn't come in winter; 
4. East = put everything you brought on and still it is not enough.
3. Don't trust the weather man or me.
4. If you don't like the weather wait 15 minutes
5. Favorite this webpage or download its accompanying app. Buidenradar. This is a live radar system. You can see if rain, snow or hail is coming and decide weather to have another coffee or Heineken or make a run for it.

Fricking Amsterdam Light Festival - All of December

The Amsterdam marketing machine has deemed this the thing to do in the city for December. Mostly local artists create objects and some art pieces. These are scattered in an orderly fashion through out Amsterdam and connected to electricity.

The objects have been scattered in an orderly fashion so you can walk, bike or boat past. If you are in Amsterdam during Winter you are bound to stumble across these objects. Often this is more exciting than participating in a pre-planned event.

Real High Culture

No thai-dyed Jimmy Hendrix joint smokers here. Just ballet and opera. Of course Amsterdammers won't hold it against you if you have a joint before the show. The Netherlands' egalitarian society makes going to the ballet or opera an affordable and enjoyable experience. There is no need to wear a suit, tie or evening dress. Turn up and enjoy the show. This is what is important.

Dutch National Ballet performs Sleeping Beauty

Dutch National Opera has a production of Puccini's La Boheme.

Crazy Skaters

Friday Skate Night with Christmas theme weather permitting.
The event has been held every Friday night since 1997 when the weather is good. It starts from Vondel Park at 8pm and runs to about 10:30pm.

The Christmas edition is always a sight with skaters, rollers all dressed up in costume. Updates on the event can be found on their Facebook Page.

Self inflicted Cruelty (Not in 2017)

Winter Circus 19 December -3 January At the Rai
I am not really into circuses that use animals but this one uses people. A good 2.5 hours of entertainment for the whole family and you don't have to have those awkward ethical thoughts. If you are interested here is the link.

Random

Valhalla Festival 23 December a bizarre night of a mixture of circus, and dance music starting at 10:30 and running until 7am.

Best Markets to Visit in December

December represents market madness in Amsterdam. The daily markets continue but the holiday season witnesses a plethora of Winter goodies and activities.

The usual suspects are at their locations. Think poor versions of German Christmas markets. At least we are straight talkers in Amsterdam. Normal locations are Rembrandtplein, Leidseplein and Museumplein.

Special markets that sell artisan goods from local and small producers are also popular in this month of Winter.

Kerst Fair Sunday Market 10 December
Pure Market: 17 December 2017
Funky Xmas Market 10 December 2017

Amsterdamshe kerstmarket De Kromhouthal 22,23 December
Hip and local. North Amsterdam is what Brooklyn or the Bronx is to Manhatten in New York. The one difference is that it is easy to get to with the free ferry from behind Amsterdam's Central Train Station.

Museum Market: 17 December 2017
Your winter paradise surrounded by wonderful architecture. There will be the largest ice skating rink in the old city. Watch the children push around chairs learning to skate. Young and old lovers skating holding hands. Stoned college students from abroad falling over, laughing and giggling.

You get the idea skating, warm wine, sausages and pretzels beneath the towering institutions of the Rijks and Van Gogh museums. Of course, don't forget there is that IAmsterdam sign all visitors have been told is a must to visit and photograph!

FoodHallen:  indoor food market open 7 days.
I am not a great fan of the Food Hallen. Mostly because it is not in my immediate neighborhood. Yes, us Amsterdammers are fiercely micro-local.

In Winter I do admit the FoodHallen comes into its own. It is located in the old tram depot and there is a range of bites to satisfy all tastes. Do be mindful of peak times lunch on Saturday and Sunday demonstrate the eternal Amsterdam problem - there is never enough space.

World Famous Rock Pop events in December

These listing have been added to make you salivate. Most of these events were sold out within minutes of the tickets release. Prince, the wonderful eccentric is the only one who has not released tickets yet. There will be black market ticket sellers about. You all know the risks but where there is a will there is a way. So the saying goes.

Check out the music institutions of
-  Ziggo Dome
- Bimhuis - jazz
- Paradiso - bands and djs on smaller stages
- Melkweg - similar to Paradiso

Find out about more Dutch world hits you didn't know were Dutch on our blog entry.




So many Museum Exhibitions your nose could bleed

If you haven't heard we love our museums in Amsterdam. Winter is a great time to visit our historical and cultural institutions with out the high season crowds. We have only placed a selection below of the exhibitions we found interesting.

Hermitage Amsterdam


Van Gogh Museum


Stedelijk (Contemporary Art)


Amsterdam Museum


Tropenmuseum


Rembrandt House


Foam


Jewish Historical Museum


Museum of Bags and Purses


Museum Van Loon


De Appel



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Amsterdam Museum Night 2015

When in Amsterdam...every year the Museums open until 2am. In 2015 Amsterdam's Museum Night is on November 7. Here we answer all of your questions and provide you tips on how to have an awesome experience.

What is Museum Night?

A cultural festival that aims to attract young people to the cultural institutions of Amsterdam. Special events are organised and run by young people to create a unique annual event. Think music, food and fantastic one off events all run by the youth of the Netherlands.

How do we get a ticket?

Tickets for Amsterdam Museum Night are available through their website MuseumNachtAmsterdam. Tickets can also be purchased over the paylogic phone system. There will be a charge of .45c/minute. Phone Number is 0900 900 500

Please note that the participating Museums do not sell the tickets.


How much is a ticket and what does this include?

There are two tickets available 

18.50 euro

This ticket that provides you:

• entry to the 53 participating venues from 7pm until 2am
• Discount on a 24 hour GVB Transportation card that provides you transportation on Amsterdam Trams and Metro system. This can be purchased only at AKO store at Amsterdam Centraal Train Station
• Free use of the shuttle bus that run between Museumplein/Heersterveld/Vrolik Museum and Museumplein. This bus runs from 7pm until 2:30am
• 15% discount on the use of Amsterdam Electric Taxis
• Discount Entry to various Amsterdam clubs for the night.
• One free entrance to participating museums before the end of 2015.

33.50 euro

This ticket includes all of the above benefits and entrance into the official after parties at:

• Westerliefde
• Transformatorhuis

Both of these after parties are located in Amsterdam's Westerpark. The parties run until 7am.

Photo by N8

Tips

1. Purchase tickets early as this event is often sold out. 32, 000 people attended last year. Yes, you read that right 32,000 people!
2. Go via bicycle to help you cover areas quickly.
3. Less is more. Don't try and do too many museums.
4. Visit the smaller museums where there are fewer people.
5. Have a general plan. 
6. Visit the Portuguese Synagogue. A perennial favorite with the 17th Century temple is lite with 1000 natural candles.

Every year we have our group meet at our apartment for a home cooked dinner and a few drinks. We review the different events and each person says which place we would like to visit. A route is then created. We avoid the big museum on the Museumplein because of the long lines and large crowds. We jump on our bicycles and head off into the night.

Here is an example of what we did on previous year's Museum Night Party.

This is one of our favourite festivals of the year. If you are in Amsterdam on the evening of the 7th of November Museum Night is a must do.

When in Amsterdam...enjoy! 

Things to do in Amsterdam: Winter

When in Amsterdam...winter is a special time to explore. Here is a list of wonderful activities (updated October 2017) for you to do when in the winter wonderland that is Amsterdam.

Explore the city

In Winter the trees have lost their leaves and the architecture is exposed for you to admire. The 17th century canal district that is World Heritage listed and the Old City Centre are beautiful. The streets and canals lined with hundreds of historic listed buildings lay still under the hue of winter.

Go off the beaten path and explore the neighborhoods of North Amsterdam, de Pijp and Oud West. This is starting to become the norm now but wasn't 3 years ago when we first wrote this post. North Amsterdam is a burgeoning area filled with new bars, cafes and art spaces. The Eye Film museum is great for a coffee to look back and enjoy the panoramic view of Amsterdam's south bank of Het Ij (the large body of water at the front of Centraal train station.

De Pijp is the area to the east of the Musemplein. A short walk from the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. Pop into local family owned businesses and stroll the famous Albert Cuyp market that is open even on cold winter days.

Oud West has lifted in status over the last years. The opening of the indoor food market Food Hallen a few years ago has proven popular with visitors, especially during the colder months.

If you wish to make the most of your time take a walking tour. A few companies operate in Winter. For comfort Omy Amsterdam Tours only does groups of up to 4 people. This allows you to get out of the weather periodically. For those on a budget try a free walking tour but be sure to dress for the weather as you will spend most of your time outside on the free tours. The smaller group tours of fewer than 5 people can get you off the street and into local haunts. Either way, An extra layer never hurts.

Visit Museums

Winter is a great time to visit Amsterdam's numerous museums. The most popular museums are the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House.

Don't forget the smaller museums of Amsterdam. These museums have fewer crowds and are great to enjoy the quieter side to Amsterdam. Two of our favorites are the Rembrandt House Museum and the Van Loon House. Jump back in time to see how and where wealthy Amsterdammers lived.

Visiting the museums can be affordable with the IAmsterdam city card or our preferred favorite the Museumkaart (Museum Card).

Ice Skating in Amsterdam in an exceptional winter
(Photo by David Cenzer)

Ice Skate

One of the major outdoor winter sports in the Netherlands is ice skating. Pull on the skates and have a slide around the ice one way or another. Warm up after with a Mulled wine(spiced warm red wine) or Chocomel (hot chocolate)

A central location for a social skate is at Museumplein (no ice skating at Leidseplein). For those a little more adventurous head to the Jaap Eden Ice Rink an Olympic sized long track.

Sadly, there is no longer the Drag Queen Winter Olympics which was always great to watch. The Summer edition is still held in the first week of August so do return for this unique fun event.

If this type of event is to your liking check out Drag Queen Bingo that is held weekly at Cafe The Queen's Head. Local tip: think twice before shouting bingo on the 'special' rounds. :-)

Neighborfood Market, Amsterdam

Markets

Winter is a time to visit the markets. Not as grand as the markets in our big neighbor, Germany, Amsterdam markets fill their purpose. Rembrandtplein, Museumplein and Leidseplein all have Dutch winter treats for purchase to warm you through late November to early January.

There are also a range of smaller specialised markets that run up to Christmas. Visit these markets for delicacies from local and small producers.



Sunday Market
8 October  2017- Rokin (Oude Turfmarkt)
5 November 2017 - Westergasfabriek
3 December 2017 - Westergasfabriek (Sinterklaas Market)
10 December 2017 - Westergasfabriek (Funky Xmas Market)

Pure Market:
8 October  2017- Rokin (Oude Turfmarkt)
10 December 2017 - Amstel Park
17 December 2017 - Park Frankendael

Amsterdamshe kerstmarket
22 December  2017- Kromhouthal 1500hrs to 0100hrs
23 December 2017 - Kromhouthal 1200hrs to 0100hrs


Neighborfood Market
No longer operational in 2017

Museum Market:
22 October  2017
19 November 2017 
17 December 2017 
21 January 2018
18 February 2018

FoodHallen:  indoor food market open 7 days.

Cafe de Wetering
(photo by Jeniece Primus)

Cozy Bars

Amsterdam's small local bars change character in the winter. Locals strike up conversation as the tourist numbers thin. The small bars are insulated from the cold and a good conversation and a local Jenever (Dutch spirit) will warm you to your core. The smaller the bar the better.

Try Bar Jones just meters from the Dam Square or Cafe de Wetering. If you want to bar hop with a local take a Beer Tour. This Amsterdam Afternoon Beers Tour has a group limit of 4 people and very good reviews on Tripadvisor.

A night of Culture

Visit the Ballet, Opera, or Concert Hall  while in Amsterdam. The experience is not that expensive in Amsterdam compared to other Western European capitals.

If contemporary entertainment is more to your liking visit the live music institutions of Amsterdam. The Paradiso and the Melkweg always have an interesting lineup of touring international and national performers. Be sure to check well in advance as tickets to do sell out frequently.

If you are unsure, visit the Last Minute Ticket Office on Leidseplein and take a lucky dip (website in Dutch). Last day unsold tickets are re-sold here at a huge discount sometimes 80% off. Whatever your experience you will be sure to have saved off the ticket price.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!

Similar posts:

Dutch food comes into its own in Winter

All-time Top 10 Things to do in Amsterdam for Teenagers: a critical look

When in Amsterdam has realised that every website associated with Amsterdam travel has a top list of things to do in this city. However, there are very few for teenagers. To be honest most of the list of things and activities for teenagers in Amsterdam were just adapted from generic Top 10 or 5 Lists.

When in Amsterdam could provide our own list but honestly there is no Top 10 list. Teenagers are a difficult bracket. We all know because we have all been there. No longer children, yet not adults. Young adults but not the rights to all activities. There are dramatic differences between 13 and 17, male and female. We have done our best to balance the analysis listed below with the cool factor listed in the Alternatives section. Updated November 2015.

So we are going to give you the All-time Top 10 list of things to do in Amsterdam for Teenagers: a critical approach

Our approach is simple: 

• Collation
• 100 web pages were analysed.
• Search Terms were “top things to do in Amsterdam for teens”, ‘Amsterdam activities for teenagers", " top 10 things in Amsterdam for young adults’
• To qualify the page needed to have in its title teens, teenagers, young adults, activities, Amsterdam top things to do in Amsterdam. For Example: Top 5, Top 10, Top 20 things to do in Amsterdam.
• We have also disqualified activities for 18 and 19 year olds because they are adults. They are allowed to drink alcohol and visit Cannabis Coffeeshops and sex workers.

We collated the results then ran a critical look at the list to provide you with an alternative.

Counting down from 10 to 1.

Paradiso live music venue
(Source: IAmsterdam facebook)

10. Go to a Concert

Amsterdam is the heart of the country for cultural events. There is always someone of substance playing in the city. A wide range of tastes are catered for, you have to determine if it is for you. There is nothing cooler than a teenager saying they saw their music hero in Amsterdam. 

Check out Amsterdam's main live music institutions to see if they appeal:

• Paradiso
• Melkweg
• Heineken Music Hall
• Ziggo Dome


Critical look:

• Understanding Teenager music tastes is always hard for the older generation.
• Be pro-active and look up on YouTube and show the clips of what is playing to your teenager.
• You can also look up the IAmsterdam website for other events and festivals going on in Amsterdam

Alternative:

• Look for street performers on the main squares of Amsterdam such as Dam Square, Leidseplein and also Vondel Park underneath the bridge.

Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum
(source: wikicommons)

9. Museums

Most Amsterdam Museums have a program for youngsters. The museums that came out as being interactive for children and teenagers were:

• Van Gogh Museum
• Rijksmuseum
• Tropenmuseum (tropical museum)
• Rembrandthuis Museum (Rembrandt's House Museum
• Jewish Historical Museum 

Critical look:

• Museums might not have the cool factor that hormonal teens are craving.
• Many of the programs are more aimed at children under the age of 13.

Street Art at Wijdsteeg, Amsterdam
(Source Eliran Totham G+)

Alternative:

• See if the museum has an app or audio tour. Teenagers love and know technology.
• Do a walking tour before the museums so they have more context to connect to what they are experience in the Museums.
• As a compromise visit Wijdsteeg in conjunction with museums for some amazing street art. Those teenage selfies and social media postings needs will be met and you can educated them as well. Update 2015, there is still some art despite construction.

Amsterdam largest street market: Albert Cuyp

   8. Shopping

Amsterdam is a cool place to shop for all agers not just teens. There is a wide range of places, something for all:

• Street Markets: Albert Cuyp, Jordaan Saturday or half day Monday Market
• 9 Streets for boutiques and cool street wear.
• Waterlooplein Flea Market for those crazy t-shirts that only teenagers could love.
• Kalverstraat for the normal middle of the road stuff you would find at home at the mall or the high street.



Patta: Amsterdam streetware
(source: Patta facebook)

Critical look:

• Not all teenagers want to shop.
• What parent who has paid for their teenager to come to Europe wants to spend money on shopping?

Alternative:

• Find that niche Amsterdam/Dutch specific item that screams cool back home. Patta for street wear (very trendy with older Amsterdam teenagers). Miffy is dutch and there is a dedicated store at Scheldestraat along with other cool stores.

7. Go to the Park 

Amsterdam is a bit short on green space with 1/5 of the city's surface area being water. The large green spaces are an oasis for all, including our teenagers. 

Amsterdam's main parks:

• Vondel Park - for people watching
• Amstel Park - for younger teens

Critical look:

• Most of these top 10 lists for teenagers are written by parents or people that don't have teenagers. What teenager wants to go sit in a park with their parents?
• The weather is not always good for a park visit.

De TonTon Club from voordekunst on Vimeo.

Alternative:

• Go to the Movies at Tuschinski Cinema, an old Art Deco period cinema. All movies are subtitled
• Go rock climbing and make a fool of yourself in front of your teenagers.
• There is new skate park on Museumplein in front of the Rijksmuseum. If they don't have their gear they can just watch.
• If the weather is bad there is a 80s style old school arcade in the middle of the Red Light District. It is called the Ton Ton Club. This defiantly has the cool factor that all teens want to talk about when they get home.This place is appropriate for all ages and is a non-smoking environment. Or try the Ton Ton Club second location away from the Red Light at the Westerpark. 

Hot Tug in front of Hotel d'Europe

6. Canal Cruise

The iconic Amsterdam canals are suitable for all ages not just teenagers. The beauty, buildings and canals will overpower any teen.

Critical look:

• The recorded messages will put most to sleep.
• Few boats have toilets. Make sure you go before you go, if you know what I mean.
• A lot of the boats are covered, which is not great for the selfie mad teenagers.

Alternative:

•  Take a pedal boat to expend that youthful energy. Bring along a picnic and sit in the back as your children do all the work.
• Not so much an alternative but before or after a canal cruise visit Het Grachtenhuis (The Canal House). A 40 minuted entertaining look at how the canals were built. Perfect for the teenage attention span.
• If the weather permits hop on an open boat or rent one yourself. Refer to the canal section of our popular blog post All Time Top 10 Things to do in Amsterdam: a critical approach.
• If you want the 'cool' factor, try this floating hot tub cruise. Bring your swimmers.

Amsterdam bike

5. Bicycling 

Amsterdam is famous for a number of icons and bicycles are one of them. There are more bikes in this city than people. Some call Amsterdam the bicycling capital of the world.

Critical look:

• Most anger from locals towards visitors is about biking or walking in bike paths. 
• Many Amsterdammers believe that visitors should take a test before being allowed to rent or ride a bike in Amsterdam.
• Riding a bike in Amsterdam City Centre traffic is not for beginners.
• Parents never ending quest for their child's safety results in this activity being so far down the list.

Alternative:

• Walk smaller areas and take Amsterdam trams in between – bike riders don’t mess with trams.
• Take a guided walking tour of Amsterdam's Old City Centre  with a small tour group company so the teenagers can engage instead of being bored.
• Take a countryside bike tour or a neighbourhood bike tour and enjoy Amsterdam where the bike paths are good and the traffic relaxed. Dutch biking the way it is supposed to be, enjoyable.

4. Maritime Museum  (Het Scheepvaartmuseum)

Amsterdam was the centre of the Maritime world for 100 years. The replica 17th Century ship is a magnet for families wanting to play pirate and privateers. The museum is large with a treasure trove of maritime artefacts.

Critical look:

• This is on the list because it is close to another attraction highly rated from our analysis, Nemo Science Museum.
• Unless they are into shipping, maps and geography this will not be a hit.

Alternative:

• Take them to the Red Light District and show your teenagers what sailors past and present are really like. They will have to learn about it sooner or latter. It might be best to do it under parental supervision and from an historical point of view. Their friends are going to ask about this neighbourhood when they get home whether you like it or not.
• Take a guided walking tour of Amsterdam's Red Light District with a small tour group company so the teenagers can engage instead of being bored. The company listed takes a maximum of 4 people.
• Take the free ferry to North-west Amsterdam and catch a glimpse of the real port and see some cool buildings along the way. This ferry departs from behind Amsterdam Centraal Station.

3. Dutch Pancakes 

Dutch pancakes are thin like crepes but the size of a large plate. Toppings are sweet, savoury or both. You can have them for breakfast, lunch, or all three.

Local's enjoy the mixture of bacon, cheese and topped with syrup on one pancake.

Critical look:

• Pancakes are very simple to make so there is no great or bad place to visit.

Alternative:

• The Pancake Boat Cruise. Knock over two things in one.
• Well regarded family blogger My Little Nomads recommends a guided walking food tour of Amsterdam's Old City Centre  and get them to try things outside their comfort zone. Once again do this with a small tour group company so the teenagers can engage instead of being bored.
• Read our blog on Top 10 Things to Eat in Amsterdam: a critical approach and tick them off your list during your stay.

Amsterdam's Nemo Science Centre
(Source: Nemo Museum)

2. Nemo Science Museum

Nemo is Amsterdam penultimate premiere activity for young people. The mixture of hands experiments and learning makes it a list topping activity, almost. Teenagers can learn about hormones in a fun and interactive manner. Understanding why they sometimes give their parents problems. Centrally, located and close to other attractions this is a must on all lists.

Critical look:

• Not to much to say against Nemo. It knows its market, children and young adults and hits the mark. 
• Allocate enough time to this attraction as it is fun and even the adults are entertained in this learning environment.

Alternative:

• Amsterdam Dungeon would be a good alternative if your teenager likes vampires, blood and guts. A modern form of a Haunted House. Live actors in Medieval costume jumping out at you while trying to teach you Amsterdam history.
• If you active sporty teenage boys a trip to Amsterdam Ajax Museum and Stadium Tour would be a good alternative. We are talking football (aka. soccer). The club and city are world famous(except in the US and Canada) for their youth program and once world powerful club.

1. Anne Frank Museum
Of course one the the 20th Century's most famous teenagers tops the list. The location of the Jewish Frank family hiding place during WWII. Teenage Anne documented her experience from the annex of this Amsterdam house during Nazi occupation. The book has become one of the world's most widely read. This popularity accounts for approximately 1 million visitors a year to this museum.

Anne Frank House Museum, Amsterdam.

Critical Look:

• For a small museum there are a lot of people at certain times. 
• The museum has a difficult job balancing the broader context of the period.
• It is more of a pilgrimage than a museum.

Alternative:

• Avoid the long lines and buy on line. Go late in the evening or arrive early before it opens and the school groups arrive. 
• Resistance museum provides you with a greater snap shot of World War II in Amsterdam and the Netherlands. Rated one of the best museums in the Netherlands don't expect long lines here maybe just a school group now and then.
• The Jewish Historical Museum provides detail on the Jewish community's influence on Amsterdam through the centuries. Ticket to this museum includes entrance to the Portuguese Synagoge and nearby Deportation centre.  
• If your teenage daughter knows of Anne Frank she probably knows of TFiOS. That is teenage speak for the book (later adapted to movie), The Fault in Our Stars. A best selling book for young adults over the last 3 years. Combine the activities of Anne Frank House and visit locations from the book and movie. More information can be found at our blog; Amsterdam The Fault in Our Stars.

Not a bad list for a city of almost 800 000 people?

Live music, museums, shopping, 10, 9, 8. Outdoor activities of Park, Canal Cruise and bicycling at 7, 6, 5. 

At 4 and 3 we have shipping and pancakes, which make sense for a maritime city that is flat. 

Science and learning is at number 2. This also makes sense for a country that invented the microscope and has one of the oldest Botanical Gardens in the world. 

Of course the top ten list for teenagers could have no other number 1 than the most famous teenager of the 20th century, Anne Frank.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!


What is going on this month?

November in Amsterdam

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