Our tips for an unforgettable December holiday in Amsterdam

The Amsterdam Dance Event has come to an end. Time for the city to get ready for the next big thing: the holiday season! In the Netherlands we celebrate Sinterklaas at the beginning of December, after which the city will be transformed into a winter wonderland on December 6th. Are you coming to our capital for a city trip? We have listed a number of tips for you.

Christmas markets

For some Christmas shopping, ice skating and hot chocolate you can go to the big squares in the city. There are also a number of one-day Christmas events. For example, go to the popular Sissy-Boy Christmas market on the Amstelveld on December 8th, where you will find brocante, innovative design and exotic art. On 16 December the Funky Xmas Market will take place at the Westergasfabriek and on 22 and 23 December the Amsterdam Christmas market in the Kromhouthal at the IJ will be the place to be for some Christmas fun.

Christmas concerts

Whether you are a fan of classical music or want to attend a classical concert for the first time, in December the best classical musicians from Europe perform in churches, pop temples and concert halls throughout the city of Amsterdam. The Dutch Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a Christmas concert in the Concertgebouw. Or you can go to the Noorderkerk Concert ‘Händel’s Messiah’ or get enchanted by the Erard Ensemble in the Amstelkerk.

Christmas tree on the Dam

There is a twenty-meter high Christmas tree with over 40,000 LED lights on Dam Square every year. During ‘Turn on the Lights’ in mid-November the light in the tree and hundreds of thousands of lights on the façade of department store De Bijenkorf are turned on and illuminate the square and the Royal Palace. Together with the Christmas decorations in the lampposts, they make this spot in Amsterdam truly magical.

Shop windows of De Bijenkorf

Still on the look-out for gifts or the perfect outfit for New Year’s Eve? You will certainly succeed in Amsterdam! As December approaches, the most beautiful Christmas shop windows appear. Don’t forget to pay a visit to department store De Bijenkorf, where in November the shop windows for the festive season will be revealed. A team of creative’s has worked almost all year to create this piece of art.

Amsterdam Light Festival

Another must do is a walk or boat trip along the enchanting light installations of international artists during the Light Festival. It is an annual event which takes place from 29 November 2018 to 20 January 2019. The theme is ‘The medium is the Message’. Over 600 artists have tried to answer the question ‘What role has light as a medium or as a message?’ by creating 30 works of art.

Are you still in Amsterdam after Christmas? There are some great New Year’s Eve parties in our capital as well. So if you are able to extend your stay a bit…

Spend the holidays in Amsterdam

With its beautiful canals, countless lights and the special light artworks of the Amsterdam Light Festival, Amsterdam is the place for a holiday this December. Htel Serviced Apartments will also be completely immersed in Christmas spheres. Especially for this festive month, Htel Serviced Apartments created a holiday special.

• 3 nights’ (Amstelveen) or 7 nights’ (Amsterdam) accommodation apartment of your choice
• Bottle of mulled wine at the apartment
• Traditional Christmas bread on arrival

You can book this special until 30 December 2018. Are we going to see you soon for a dose of Christmas fun in the form of Christmas shopping, ice skating and hot chocolate in our capital? View the offer here.

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