New year in Amsterdam: what to do on December 31 and January 1

On December 31, Amsterdam has a ban on private fireworks. It has been in effect for several years now, but the city puts on free shows in the squares instead. If you are coming here for New Year's, you should decide three things in advance: where to watch the fireworks, what to have for dinner, and what to do during the day on January 1. Below we have gathered traditions, parties, and winter ideas that work this season.

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Dutch New Year: what oud en nieuw is

💡 In short:

• Amsterdam celebrates New Year's according to the Oud en Nieuw tradition: fried dough balls, herring, and a dip in the sea on January 1.
• Professional fireworks in the squares are free, private firecrackers are banned in the city.

The Dutch call the last night of the year Oud en Nieuw, meaning "old and new." The holiday rests on three simple things: street food, a late dinner, and a swim in the sea the next day. Amsterdam adds clubs and illuminated canals to that.

Oliebollen fried dough balls

The main winter treat here is called oliebollen. The dough is fried in oil and served hot with powdered sugar, so the balls are best eaten right away. The classic version comes without filling, but people more often get them with raisins, called oliebollen met krenten. Some stalls add quark, Nutella, or fruit inside.

The price stays at a few euros each, and a dozen usually works out cheaper. Get them on the evening of December 31: the lines at the stands are short but lively. If you did not book dinner, the balls solve that problem in five minutes.

Herring the morning after

Many people start the first day of the year with raw herring haring. It is dipped in finely chopped onion and eaten whole, usually with a roll. The Dutch are convinced that this snack helps after champagne, and they grab it on the go from fish stands.

For visitors it is a test of courage: the fish is cold, oniony, and nothing like the smoked herring from a store. Try one first, not three at once. The taste either clicks from the first bite or it does not.

Nieuwjaarsduik: a plunge into the North Sea

On January 1, thousands of people run into the icy water of the North Sea. In Scheveningen near The Hague, registration for the Unox Nieuwjaarsduik opens at 10:30, a group warm-up takes place at 11:45, and the swim itself starts at 12:00 (as of 09/2026, DenHaag.com). Many wear a New Year's hat and a swimsuit.

© Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA · CC BYPhoto: Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

If The Hague is too far for you, the same thing happens in Zandvoort, which locals call Amsterdam Beach. It is one of the oldest New Year's swims in the country (as of 09/2026, Visit Zandvoort). Participation is free, but a towel and a change of clothes are mandatory. Arrive half an hour before the start, otherwise you will not find a spot by the water.

Fireworks: what you can watch on December 31

Setting off fireworks as a private individual is banned in Amsterdam, and the ban is extended every winter (as of 09/2026, Rodi.nl). Violators face a fine, but occasional bangs on the streets are still possible.

The city does allow professional shows: the main one takes place on Museumplein, where they put on a children's program and a midnight volley (as of 09/2026, Amsterdam Lokaal). On Dam Square people gather from 11:00 PM to count down the final minutes together. Drinking alcohol in the center is not allowed, and violators face a fine.

New Year's parties and clubs

Amsterdam is known for its clubs, and on New Year's they run until morning. The biggest event takes place in Westerpark: the Awakenings techno festival brings together several stages, dense sound, and a line at the entrance.

© Patrick Nouhailler's… · CC BY-SAPhoto: Patrick Nouhailler's…, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

If mixed music is more your thing, check out venues in the city center. Tickets for popular parties sell out in advance, sometimes weeks ahead. Plan your entry time: after midnight the lines grow, and taxis in the center are almost impossible to catch.

Museums in winter: Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum

New Year's week in Amsterdam is considered peak season, so the museums are crowded. At the Van Gogh Museum, tickets are sold online only with a fixed entry time, an adult ticket costs about 25 €, and visitors under 18 get in free (as of 09/2026, official website), the museum is open daily from nine in the morning.

© Txllxt TxllxT · CC BY-SAPhoto: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Rijksmuseum nearby works the same way: it is better to buy tickets in advance, children enter free (as of 09/2026, official website). Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" hangs here. Check the opening hours for December 31 and January 1 on the official websites before your trip.

Amsterdam Light Festival from the water

The main winter spectacle runs along the canals. The fifteenth Amsterdam Light Festival runs from November 26, 2026 to January 17, 2027, with around twenty light installations along the embankments (as of 09/2026, official website), and the best view of them is from the water.

Canal cruises last one to two hours, some with drinks on board. Choose a canal cruise on GetYourGuide. If your budget is already spent, walk the route: from the bridges you can see the installations for free.

City tour of an empty city

At the end of December the city is full of tourists, so book a guided tour in advance. Book an Amsterdam tour.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch the New Year's fireworks in Amsterdam?

The main free show takes place on Museumplein; people gather on Dam Square from 11:00 PM. Come early: by eleven in the evening it is packed there, and the metro is overcrowded.

What are oliebollen and how much do they cost?

Oliebollen are fried dough balls with powdered sugar. They are sold on the street from December, with raisins or without filling. One costs a few euros, a dozen works out cheaper. Get them hot: after an hour in a bag they turn into heavy dough and lose their flavor.

Is swimming in the North Sea on January 1 mandatory?

No, it is a voluntary tradition. The swims take place in Scheveningen and Zandvoort, and participation is free. You need a towel, warm clothes, and a willingness to face cold water.

Is it worth going to museums on New Year's?

Yes, but New Year's week is considered peak season, so museums are crowded. Buy tickets for the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum online in advance. Check the opening hours for December 31 and January 1 on the official websites.

How do I get to Amsterdam in winter?

Train tickets to Amsterdam Centraal can be bought in advance. The train from the airport takes about twenty minutes. In winter, delays are possible due to weather, so leave extra time for connections. In the city center it is more convenient to walk: the canals and squares are close to each other.

In short: what to book

If you have just one night, book a hotel in central Amsterdam on Trip.com and a ticket to one museum for the morning. If you are traveling with family, add a canal cruise during the Light Festival and dinner with oliebollen. If you want a relaxed walk, choose a winter guided city tour.

Whatever you choose, book in advance. Compare tickets and tours on GetYourGuide.