Celebrate Winter Magic

If you’re planning a stay in an Amsterdam hotel over the festive season, you won’t want to miss the city’s annual Winter Magic celebrations.

From mid-December to early January, the city’s famous canals are lit up with plenty of Christmas spirit as the boats are decorated for the holidays with coloured lights and ornaments.

Events get underway during the second weekend of December, when Winter Magic events are officially opened.

Festivities – which have become a Christmas staple in the Dutch city – include a holiday sing-along canal cruise that passes through Amsterdam before finishing at Rembrandt Square. Everyone is welcome to participate – and you can rest assured that many songs will be sung in English!

If you’re staying in Amsterdam hotels during the week of Christmas itself, you won’t want to miss the spectacular Christmas Canal Parade. This event is a warm and friendly celebration of the city’s diverse cultural population – find a canalside spot on the parade route and you’ll be in for a treat!

Every night of Winter Magic sees a group of decorated boats convene on the Amstel, so even if you can’t make the Christmas Canal Parade, you’ll still be treated to a colourful display during your stay in Amsterdam.