New Year in Holland guide

Are you planning to celebrate the New Year in Holland or immerse yourself in the Christmas atmosphere in the Netherlands? This guide will help you learn the most important things about holiday traditions, Christmas fairs and winter entertainment in the country’s most beautiful cities.

In the Netherlands, Christmas and New Year are a time when the country turns into a real winter fairy tale. Since the end of November, city streets are lit up with garland lights, festive fairs open in the squares, and the air is filled with the aroma of mulled wine and traditional treats.

If you want to know where and how holidays are celebrated in Amsterdam, Maastricht, Rotterdam and other cities, here I have collected key traditions, events and tips to make your trip unforgettable.

📅 Holiday calendar: when what’s happening

The holiday season lasts from the end of November to the beginning of January. Here are the dates you should mark in your calendar:

December 5 — Saint Nicholas Day (Sinterklaas). Dutch Santa Claus arrives in the country in November, but it is on this day that he presents children with gifts. Disobedient people are threatened with a visit from the Black Peters – Sinterklaas’ helpers.

December 25-26 — Christmas. These days are usually spent in the circle of the family at the festive table. Many churches hold special services, and cities are decorated with Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands.

December 31 — New Year. The Dutch meet him noisily and cheerfully: with fireworks, street festivities and feasts. At midnight, it is customary to set off fireworks and hug strangers.

January 1 — New Year’s Day. Many Dutch people start the hour with a run in the icy water of the North Sea – this is called a “New Year’s swim”.

🌟 Main traditions of Christmas and New Year
1. Sinterklaas and Black Piet

Unlike Kerstman (Christmas grandfather), who brings gifts for Christmas, Sinterklaas is strict and monitors the behavior of children. According to legend, he arrives from Spain on a steamship and travels around the country on a white horse. His assistants, the Black Pits, can leave disobedient children with rods or even take them away in a bag.

2. Christmas fairs

In December, almost every city turns into a festive bazaar. Christmas markets in the Netherlands are considered one of the most beautiful in Europe:

Valkenburg: here the fair is held in real caves! Visitors can wander through the labyrinth of corridors, buy souvenirs from local artisans and try Dutch delicacies.
Maastricht: the Vrijthof square has an ice rink, a Ferris wheel and dozens of tents with food and drinks.
Amsterdam: fairs on Museumplein and Rembrandtplein offer not only shopping, but also concerts and ice shows. Christmas in Amsterdam is especially beautiful thanks to festive lights and light installations.
3. New Year festivities and fireworks

December 31 is the height of fun. Grand events are held in major cities:

Amsterdam: free fireworks show on the island of Java and parties on Leidseplein.
Rotterdam: the country’s largest fireworks show on Erasmus Bridge.
The Hague: a floating stage on the Hofwiever pond, where musical groups perform.
Scheveningen: the world’s largest New Year’s bonfire is lit here (this fact is even noted in the Guinness Book of Records), and on the morning of January 1, a mass swim takes place in the North Sea. Br-rr-r, it’s cold, but tradition is tradition!
4. Traditional treats

Winter holidays in the Netherlands are a time for delicious food:

Oliebollen are sweet donuts deep-fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar. It is customary to eat them on New Year’s Eve.
Poffertjes are mini pancakes served with butter and powdered sugar. They are easy to find at Christmas markets.
Slam is a New Year’s drink made from hot milk, tea, lemon, cinnamon and nutmeg. Ego is served in cafes, unlike mulled wine, which is usually drunk on the streets.

🎉 Where to celebrate the New Year in the Netherlands: top 5 cities

If you want to celebrate the New Year in the Netherlands in a truly bright way, here are the cities that are worth considering:

1. Rotterdam. The most spectacular fireworks show on Erasmus Bridge takes place here. Thousands of people gather with champagne to raise glasses at midnight.

2. Amsterdam. Free fireworks, parties on the squares and an atmosphere of general fun. After midnight, the festivities continue in clubs and bars.

3. The Hague. An ideal option for those who like variety: you can go to a concert on a floating stage, have dinner in a restaurant or join the street festivities. And I will gladly conduct a tour of The Hague for you and tell you all the secrets of Christmas in our kingdom.

4. Scheveningen. Here you can see the largest New Year’s bonfire in the world, entered in the Guinness Book of Records, and take part in a race in ice water on January 1 at exactly 12 noon.

5. Maastricht. The city is known for its friendly atmosphere. Even strangers hug here on New Year’s Eve!

❄️ Christmas fairs and events in the Netherlands

In addition to fairs, many events take place in the Netherlands:

Amsterdam Festival of Light (December – January). The canals of the city are decorated with light installations