Netherlands in December
Cold and dark, but the light festival gives the canals a reason to be walked at night.
Is December a good time to visit Netherlands?
December sits mid-range in Netherlands — around 58/100 nationally. January is noticeably calmer.
What closes and what fills up in December
- Sinterklaas (5 December)
- Amsterdam Light Festival
How December compares across the year
Book things to do
Netherlands: tours and tickets in Amsterdam, from our booking partner.
Free cancellationWindmills Tour: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken
from€35
Free cancellationCanal Cruise Amsterdam
from€13
Free cancellationZaanse Schans Windmills & LEGO City Day Trip
from€22
Free cancellationAnne Frank Jewish Quarter Tour
from€33
Free cancellationAmsterdam Bike Tour
from€23

Civitatis Travel Insurance
from€10
Affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes a crowd score or the order of our recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good month to visit Netherlands?
December sits mid-range in Netherlands — around 58/100 nationally. January is noticeably calmer.
How busy is Netherlands in December?
Averaged across the destinations we track, Netherlands sits near 58/100 in December. The calmest of them is Amsterdam.
What is the weather like in Netherlands in December?
Expect average highs near 7°C and lows near 2°C, with roughly 12 wet days — though Netherlands varies by region.