Cultural tips for Amsterdam this winter

Hortus by Night

This winter, it’s time to get cosy at one of the world’s oldest botanical gardens, Hortus Botanicus, as the doors remain open until late for Hortus by Night. Venture through the beautifully lit greenhouses as you discover ancient palms, tropical plants and a spectacular exhibition by London-based CGI artist Markos Kay. Using computer-generated images, Kay takes viewers on an enchanting journey through evolutionary biology and plant-animal relationships. Cuddle up by the campfire with a hot chocolate on the winter terrace and experience exclusive exhibitions featuring night-blooming flowers and much more. 

World Christmas Circus

For decades, the World Christmas Circus (18 December—5 January) at Royal Theater Carré has been one of the most popular family outings during the festive period. Marvel at the flying trapeze artists, star clowns, enchanting costumes, horse whisperers, and daredevils as award-winning acts from the most prominent circus festivals worldwide join forces in one spectacular show.

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

The beloved narrative of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King is reimagined on the Dutch National Opera and Ballet stage this festive season. With its lively characters and beautifully choreographed sequences created by Toer van Schayk and Wayne Eagling, this enchanted classic (12 December - 2 January) promises a magical outing at the Dutch National Opera & Ballet this winter.

Amsterdam Light Festival

Throughout history, light has been used as a symbol of celebration to mark the sacred passage of time. Amsterdam Light Festival, now entering its 12th year, does just that. From 28 November to 1 December, twenty-seven light artworks will form a walkable trail along the streets and canals of this luminous city. And with the city celebrating its 750th year around the sun, this edition is sure to be an extra special one.

Winter Paradise

The RAI transforms into a winter wonderland during Winterparadijs (Winter Paradise) (19 December - 5 January) with indoor and outdoor ice-skating rinks, parties in the Après-Ski Village, dining options galore and fairground rides overlooking the city. Glide down a snowy slope on a tubing ride, cross-country ski through a grove of evergreen fir trees, roast marshmallows over a crackling fire, hone your curling skills or goof off in a playful snowball fight. When it’s time to take a break from all the fun, head to the Winter Cinema and cosy up with nostalgic festive classics

National Tulip Day

Already anticipating the arrival of spring? Prepare to celebrate the start of tulip season when Dutch tulip growers invite everyone to partake in a delightful tradition—picking your own bouquet of tulips for free at a picking garden in Museumplein, all in honour of National Tulip Day on January 18, 2025. This coming day marks the 12th edition of this beloved event. Join tens of thousands of fellow flower enthusiasts as they herald the new season's arrival.

Get cultural at Museumplein

As the name suggests, you’ll find some of the city’s most famous museums gathered around this square in Oud-Zuid:

• The Van Gogh Museum presents Vive l’impressionnisme, marking 150 years since Claude Monet’s influential painting Impression, soleil levant, which inspired a critic to coin the term 'Impressionism'. This sweeping showcase of art brings together masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Pissarro, and many more in collaboration with some of the best museums in the country.
• Asian Bronze at the Rijksmuseum brings together over 75 artefacts from 4,000 years of bronze artistry in Asia. Depicting the divine as well as the everyday, these bronze artworks represent the cultural heritage and craftsmanship of this versatile material.
• The Stedelijk Museum, one of the country's premier contemporary art museums, presents works from Miriam Cahn's oeuvre, a striking collection of abstract portraits that, in their ghostly and deformed figures, represent the horror of human atrocities.

See the best photography

Amsterdam packs the punches when it comes to photography. With several museums dedicated to the medium, along with major festivals and commercial galleries, there’s always something to see:

• Shadow Self: Portal to a Parallel World (until 2 February) at Huis Marseille features works by contemporary artists Shuang Li, Charmaine Poh, Heesoo Kwon, Xiaopeng Yuan, and Diane Severin Nguyen. The exhibition explores how images can serve as portals to parallel worlds, blurring the lines between reality, memory, and imagination.
• PHOSPOR: Art & Fashion (until 12 January) at Foam is a retrospective of Dutch fashion photographer Vivian Sassen's surreal and exploratory body of work. This stunning display of over 200 pieces includes photography, video art and collage.

Get out of town

• To celebrate the 80th birthday of iconic Dutch artist Jeroen Krabbe, Museum Cobra presents an exhibition of eight of Krabbe's paintings, each representing a decade of his life and work (15 November to 9 February). This mini-retrospective reflects Krabbe's evolution as an artist and his influence on the world of Dutch art.
• At Singer Laren, Appel and Cobra (2 September to 2 February) showcases works from the mid-century avant-garde Cobra movement. Featuring early paintings by Karel Appel, Asger Jorn, Corneille, and other integral artists of this movement, the exhibition highlights Cobra’s distinctive artistic style.
• The Teyler's Museum, just a stone's throw from Amsterdam in the heart of historic Haarlem, is the Netherlands' oldest museum and features an expansive collection of art, natural history and science.