Considering visiting Amsterdam for New Year’s Eve? Amsterdam is one of the best European cities to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Europe within. Read insider tips by a resident on the best things to do on New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam, the best parties on NYE in Amsterdam, and where to buy fireworks in Amsterdam.
Contents
- 1 Things to know about New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam before you come
- 2 What’s the Weather in December in Amsterdam?
- 3 Regarding the Airbnb rules (December 2016)
- 4 The best things to do in Amsterdam on New Year’s Eve….
- 5 Wander the canals!
- 6 Food on New Year’s Eve
- 7 Buying Drinks on NYE in Amsterdam
- 8 New Year’s Eve Parties in Amsterdam
- 9 Best spots in Amsterdam to watch the fireworks
- 10 Do you plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam?
Things to know about New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam before you come
- Most locals go on vacation for New Year’s Eve or celebrate it somewhere private with friends outside of the city
- Hotels and Airbnbs will be pricey
- You don’t need to plan to see the fireworks
- Amsterdam is COLDÂ (See my packing list for Amsterdam.)
- Food, alcohol, parties… plan ahead.
What’s the Weather in December in Amsterdam?
The average weather in Amsterdam in December is somewhere between 2.5 degrees C (33 degrees F) and 6 degrees C (42 degrees). However, the wind chill coming off the water and the rain can make it feel colder, so be sure to bundle up!
Click here for my Amsterdam packing list for all seasons
Regarding the Airbnb rules (December 2016)
Airbnb is now strictly regulated by the city of Amsterdam, which is in the process of imposing tourist taxes on properties.
It also bans more than four people from renting an apartment in an attempt to help with the housing crisis in Amsterdam. I heard from quite a few people that finding an Airbnb was very difficult for New Year’s Eve as many people are out of town, many required more than a couple days, and prices were high.
Most Airbnbs strictly prohibit parties and under the new Airbnb terms set by the city of Amsterdam, both you and your Airbnb host can get in a lot of trouble if the neighbors complain. I recommend booking a hotel in center far ahead if you want to be close to the fireworks and parties.
Check prices for New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam.
The best things to do in Amsterdam on New Year’s Eve….
Wander the canals!
Although there’s plenty of parties to dance the night away at, I recommend being outside on the canals when it hits midnight. The city turns into a smoky, loud mess with everyone shooting off fireworks everywhere around you. (You need to buy the fireworks in the days before as the line is quite long on NYE itself!)
We ended up meeting a bunch of groups just hanging out on one bridge and the two single American girls found a friendly Dutch stranger to kiss at midnight. We also shot off fireworks and wandered around prior to hanging out in a park.
Food on New Year’s Eve
Finding open restaurants will be difficult as most are closed for New Year’s Eve as most of the Netherlands takes off. The few restaurants in Amsterdam open on New Year’s Eve will require reservations, otherwise call ahead–and stock up at the supermarket the morning of for all that you need for the day. The ubiquitous Dutch supermarket Albert Heijn has limited hours of New Year’s Eve, closing around 5-6pm. Plan ahead.
The Fork is a popular website/app in the Netherlands where you can make reservations for restaurants. (Deliveroo is also a popular app for food delivery/take-out. You might have limited options, but might be worth a try to see what is open.)
You must try oliebollen, a fried Dutch snack that pops up around the holiday season. It’s warm, greasy, and ridiculously delicious. Look for the pop-up stands around the city although most will close prior to late-night celebrations for New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam.
It’s traditional to eat these oily balls of deliciousness (oliebollen) at midnight, but you’ll need to make your own at home if you want to do this (more complicated than I realized…) . You can buy these at stands all around the city center. It’s hotly contested who has the best oliebollen, but as long as it’s warm and covered in powdered sugar, you’re in the clear!
Buying Drinks on NYE in Amsterdam
Although many bars will be open, most are not open to the public without tickets being bought ahead (or some fee) and you will not find many late-night stores open. As a result, I recommend stocking up the day before on what you’ll want to drink on New Year’s Eve if you’re looking for a DIY New Year’s Eve.
You can find your nearest Gall & Gall for purchasing liquor, champagne, wine, and beer although Albert Heijn also stocks beer and wine. Bring your own cups and bottle openers if you’ll be walking around. Many supermarkets will have beer on sale, so you can also stock up at Albert Heijn or Jumbo.
New Year’s Eve Parties in Amsterdam
There’s plenty of parties as well as nice hang-outs that are open on New Year’s Eve although many require tickets or reservations ahead. If you’re planning on going to any of these spots, I recommend planning ahead as you might not get in otherwise.
Check de Marktkantine, W Amsterdam, Mr. Porter, and various clubs for their parties (with tickets) if you’re looking for an all-night celebration with the works. Just be prepared to pay the prices inside!
Many bars have closed bar parties only for patrons with tickets, so do not expect most bars to be open to the public on New Year’s Eve.
That said, you can visit my favorite dive bar in Amsterdam if you’re not much of a planner looking for fun night: Checkpoint Charlie has free oliebollen, free entry (no tickets), and live music.
Good to note: There aren’t that many taxis around the city, so check the public transit schedule before you head home and please don’t drive if you’ve been drinking. (Uber is becoming more popular.)
Best spots in Amsterdam to watch the fireworks
The main fireworks over the city can be seen from anywhere by the IJ, including Pllek or the free park across the water near Westerdoksdijk. That said, you can see plenty of fireworks …everywhere.
Similarly, a lot of people go out to the big squares, including Leidseplein and Dam Square, but they’ll be crowded and more security intense compared to the canals where it’s a bit more laid back.
Nieuwmarkt is supposed to have some of the best firework shows, but I cannot speak to it at midnight beyond seeing way many while walking around this area as the sunset!
Some call New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam a warzone. (It can be so foggy due to the smoke that you can’t really see anything around you.)Â Â I call it a fun-zone, but it really depends on how noise and smoke sensitive you are.
If you’re sensitive to smoke from fireworks, I do not recommend going out to the canals. Â If you’re noise-sensitive, bring earplugs.
As of 2020, fireworks are banned on New Year’s Eve and setting off fireworks carries a fine and goes on your criminal record. There will be no fireworks this year.
[…] someone who’s creative with cooking. Oliebollen are a fried Dutch treat typically eaten around New Year’s Eve, however you can easily find boxes to help you make them at home at the supermarket around […]