StayAreasAmsterdam at Christmas 2026: Light Festival, markets and where to stay
Amsterdam's winter highlight is the Light Festival: artworks along the canals from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, seen on foot or from a canal boat.
The Christmas markets are smaller than Germany's; the main one is on Museumplein in December.
What's on
Amsterdam Light Festival
26 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027 (dates still provisional). Around 27 light artworks on the canals; most boat tours leave every 30 minutes between about 4:45pm and 9:30pm.
Tip: Book a boat for a weekday; weekends sell out.
Stay nearby: Old Centre · ~$255/nightMuseumplein Christmas marketFree
Listed for 3 – 27 Dec 2026, noon to 9pm, in front of the Rijksmuseum.
Stay nearby: Museum Quarter · ~$295/nightRembrandtplein and LeidsepleinFree
Lit-up squares in the canal ring with bars and cafés, both on foot from the Light Festival route.
Stay nearby: Canal Ring · ~$315/nightWinter Paradise at RAI
Listed for 17 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027: an indoor winter fair with skating and rides at the RAI. Paid entry.
Stay nearby: De Pijp · ~$235/night
Christmas by area
How far each area is from the Light Festival, markets and lit-up squares on foot. Walking times are estimates; prices are a typical mid-range double, not December rates.
Christmas from Museum Quarter
~$295/nightOn foot: Museumplein 5 min · Leidseplein 10 min · Rembrandtplein 25 min.
4 of the 5 markets and lights on this list are within a 40-minute walk, so you can do it all on foot.
Hotels in Museum Quarter →Christmas from Old Centre
~$255/nightOn foot: Light Festival boats 10 min · Rembrandtplein 15 min · Leidseplein 20 min.
4 of the 5 markets and lights on this list are within a 40-minute walk, so you can do it all on foot.
Hotels in Old Centre →Christmas from Canal Ring
~$315/nightOn foot: Rembrandtplein 10 min · Leidseplein 10 min · Museumplein 20 min.
4 of the 5 markets and lights on this list are within a 40-minute walk, so you can do it all on foot.
Hotels in Canal Ring →Christmas from De Pijp
~$235/nightOn foot: Museumplein 15 min · Rembrandtplein 20 min · Leidseplein 20 min.
4 of the 5 markets and lights on this list are within a 40-minute walk, so you can do it all on foot.
Hotels in De Pijp →Christmas from Oud-West
~$170/nightOn foot: Leidseplein 15 min · Museumplein 20 min · Rembrandtplein 30 min.
4 of the 5 markets and lights on this list are within a 40-minute walk, so you can do it all on foot.
Hotels in Oud-West →Christmas from Jordaan
~$280/nightOn foot: Light Festival boats 20 min · Leidseplein 20 min · Rembrandtplein 25 min.
4 of the 5 markets and lights on this list are within a 40-minute walk, so you can do it all on foot.
Hotels in Jordaan →Christmas from Amsterdam Noord
~$200/nightOn foot: Light Festival boats 15 min · Rembrandtplein 35 min.
Light Festival boats is your closest, about 15 minutes' walk.
Hotels in Amsterdam Noord →Christmas from Amsterdam Oost
~$175/nightOn foot: Rembrandtplein 30 min · Light Festival boats 40 min.
Rembrandtplein is your closest, about 30 minutes' walk.
Hotels in Amsterdam Oost →
Christmas Day
25 and 26 December are both public holidays in the Netherlands. Most shops and museums close on the 25th; trams and trains run a holiday timetable.
Written by the StayAreas editorial team · Updated Nov 2026 · How we research our guides