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Most Christmassy things to do in Amsterdam
December has finally arrived and that means you can take a chocolate from your Advent calendar every day and sing along to Christmas carols. We do know Sinterklaas is still in town, but let’s be honest: it is all about Christmas. Despite the current corona measures, there is still plenty to do in Amsterdam to get into the Christmas spirit. And besides, that ultimate Christmas feeling is of course deeply rooted in your heart and no corona measure can change that anyway!
Amsterdam Light Festival
What is Christmas without a bunch of lights? Fortunately, the Amsterdam Light Festival will not let us down this year. From December 2nd, various light artworks can be admired throughout Amsterdam. Due to the corona measures, the times when the lights are on have been adjusted to early morning and late afternoon. Between 07:00 and 09:00 you can enjoy the highlights of Amsterdam during your breakfast and from 15:00 to 17:00 you can end the day in the most beautiful way at the light festival. Get on one of the tour boats or take a city walk. Check the website for more information and tickets.
Magically bright places in the city
To stay in the illuminated atmosphere for a while, you can of course also visit the most beautifully lit places in Amsterdam on your own. An romantic evening stroll through a quiet and illuminated Amsterdam is guaranteed to give you the ultimate Christmas feeling. Every year, the façade of the Bijenkorf is completely illuminated and the shop windows are full of glitter, luxury and festivity. Opposite of the shop is a gigantic Christmas tree on Dam Square, which completes the atmosphere. But there are many more streets in Amsterdam that, thanks to their lights and decorated shop windows, are definitely worth a visit (even after closing time): the Utrechtsestraat, P.C. Hooftstraat, Spiegelgracht, Albert Cuypstraat and the ‘9 straatjes’.
Ice Amsterdam at Museum Square
Ice Amsterdam can be found at Museum Square. You have only experienced a Dutch winter when you have been ice skating and eaten a bowl of ‘snert’ (split pea soup). And although an artificial ice rink already provides a wonderful Christmas feeling, we secretly hope to skate on the Amsterdam canals again this year. There's nothing like a cup of hot chocolate after a round of ice skating or sledding! Ice Amsterdam is there until January 30 and until at least December 18th, the opening times are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sustainable Ceuvel Christmas Market
It was not easy to find a Christmas market that is open this year, but this Christmas market is happening and it is sustainable too! On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th of December you can score the best sustainable gifts here between 12:00 and 17:00 p.m. At the stalls you will find vegan cosmetics (Primal Essence), clothing (Je Moeder Shirt), candles and diffusers (Vlam van An) and various snacks and drinks. Also the café and terrace are decorated with cozy lights and Christmas music plays all day long. A visit to the Sustainable Ceuvel Christmas Market is free.