Visiting Amsterdam during the winter holidays season? Many Amsterdam museums are open on Christmas Day (25 December 2026), New Year’s Eve (31 December 2026) and New Year’s Day (1 January 2027). Check the opening hours!
Christmas exposition at the Willet-Holthuysen museum
Tip! Entrance tickets to the major museums in Amsterdam cost around €25. We recommend to consider buying the I amsterdam card (from €28 a day), which gives free access to 70+ museums and attractions. See what is included in the card and order it online.
Which Amsterdam museums should you pre-book in 2026?
Please that pre-booking is always required at the Van Gogh Museum and and Anne Frank House, and strongly recommended at the Rijksmuseum. Tickets for the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House are only sold online, you cannot buy then at the door.
Tickets are only available on the official website — no third-party sellers. Released every Tuesday at 10:00 AM Amsterdam time for the week six weeks later. Sell out within hours.
Prices are for 2026. Click each museum to see tickets and booking options.
Amsterdam museums opening hours during the holiday season 2026/2027
Van Gogh Museum. 24 – 26 December 2026 and 31 December 2026: from 9:00 to 17:00. On 1 January open from 11:00 to 18:00.
The Rijksmuseum is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00, including 25 December 2026 and 1 January 2027.
Moco Museum of modern art with Banksy exhibition. On 24, 25 and 31 December 2026 open from 09:00 to 20:00. On 1 January 2027 open from 11:00 to 21:00. Book tickets >>
Stedelijk Museum, right on Museumplein next to the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, is currently showing a major Yayoi Kusama retrospective (through 17 January 2027), so it’s an easy add-on if you’re doing the rounds of the other museums. The museum keeps its usual hours over the holidays, open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
Madame Tussauds Museum. On 25 December 2026 is open from 11:00 to 17:30. On 1 January 2027 from 11:00 to 20:00. Book tickets >>
The Amsterdam Dungeon. On 25 December 2026 open from 11:00 to 16:15. On 1 January 2027 from 11:00 to 20:00. Book tickets >>
Red Light Secrets prostitution museum is open on 24 – 26 December from 11:00 to 18:00, on 31 December 2026 from 11:00 to 17:00 and 1 January 2027 from 14:00 to 21:45. Book tickets >>
ARTIS Royal Zoo is open every day from 9:00 to 17:00. Book tickets >>
Micropia on 24 – 26 December 2026 is open from 09:00 to 17:00, on 1 January 2027 open from 10:00 to 17:00. Book tickets >>
Anne Frank Museum. On 25 and 31 December from 09:00 to 17:00.
The Jewish Historical Museum is open on 25 December and 31 December from 11.00 to 16.00. On 1 January is open from 12:00 to 17:00. Book tickets >>
The Rembrandt House Museum is closed on 25 December. On 24 and 31 of December 2026 is open from 10:00 to 17:00. On 1 January 2027 is open from 11:00 to 18:00. Book tickets >>
Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder (a hidden church in Amsterdam) is open on 25 December and 1 January from 10:00 to 18:00. Book tickets >>
The Heineken Experience is open on 25 December and 1 January from 10:30 to 19:30 (last admission at 17:30). Book tickets >>
EYE film Museum is open on Christmas Day from 10:00 to 19:00. On 31 December, EYE at 18:00. On New Year’s Day, EYE is open again from 10:00 to 19:00.
Please note. We have collected information from museums’ official websites, checked and double-checked it carefully. However this information is subject to change. Please check the opening hours before your visit and book tickets on advance.
It isn’t confirmed yet whether the ice rink at Museumplein will return for the 2026/2027 winter season. In previous years it has run daily from 10:00 during the Christmas holidays (20 December to 4 January), but check closer to the date before planning around it.
Photo: Skating rink in Amsterdam (I amsterdam letters are not there anymore).
Stay in Amsterdam for Christmas
If you want to stay in the most beautiful area of Amsterdam, choose a hotel along the canals. Some good options include Ambassade hotel, Hotel Estheréa, Andaz Prinsengracht, Banks Mansion, and Pulitzer hotel.
Looking for a hotel in central Amsterdam with a rooftop bar for New Year? Check
DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station and W Amsterdam.
Travelling by public transport on New Year’s Eve
On New Year’s Eve (31 December 2026) you can use all GVB buses, trams, metros and ferries in Amsterdam until 20.00.
On Sunday, 1 January 2027 the GVB timetable starts at 01:30. This applies to all GVB night buses, metro lines 52 and 54. A ticket for the night bus costs € 5,60. It is also included in GVB multi-day tickets. The timetable for Sundays and public holidays applies to all other GVB transport.
On New Year’s Eve (31 December 2026) there will also be no trains after 20:00. Train service will resume on New Year’s Day around 10:00.
On the Rotterdam-Schiphol-Amsterdam-Utrecht night network, a train will run every hour from 01:00 on New Year’s Day.
Are there canal cruises on New Year’s Eve and Day?
Yes, you can take canal cruises in Amsterdam both on NYE 31 December 2026 (last departure at 15:15) and on 1 January 2027 (first departure on 10:00). Book tickets online to secure your spot.
Amsterdam Light festival cruises don’t operate on New Year’s Eve, but they start running from 16:30 on 1 January 2027.
FAQ about visiting Amsterdam museums during the holidays
Are museums in Amsterdam open on Christmas Day?
Yes, most major museums (including the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, ARTIS Royal Zoo, and Anne Frank Museum) are open on Christmas Day, though opening hours are often shorter than usual.
Is the Rijksmuseum open every day of the year?
Yes, the Rijksmuseum is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Is the Museumplein ice rink open during the Christmas holidays?
It’s not confirmed yet whether the ice rink will be back for the 2026/2027 season. In previous years it has run daily from 10:00 during the Christmas holidays (20 December to 4 January), so check closer to the date for the latest.
What time does public transport stop running on New Year’s Eve?
GVB buses, trams, metros and ferries run until 20:00, and trains stop after 20:00. Trains resume around 10:00 on New Year’s Day, while GVB night buses and metro lines 52 and 54 start again at 01:30.
Are there canal cruises on New Year’s Eve and Day?
Yes, canal cruises run on both days – the last departure on New Year’s Eve is at 15:15, and the first departure on New Year’s Day is at 10:00. Amsterdam Light Festival cruises don’t operate on New Year’s Eve but start again from 16:30 on 1 January.
Do I need to book museum tickets in advance for the holiday season?
Yes, major Amsterdam museums require a pre-booked timed entry ticket, and popular museums are very likely to sell out around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, so book in advance.
Enjoy your winter holidays in Amsterdam!
Related articles:
- Amsterdam Light Festival 2026/2027
- Advent calendars 2026: for kids and adults
- Sinterklaas 2026 in the Netherlands
- Christmas markets in the Netherlands