Netherlands Amsterdam Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Amsterdam is Challenging
December is Challenging for Amsterdam.
December is deep winter — 6°C daytime, 2°C nights, sunset by 16:30. Shortest days of the year. Amsterdam Light Festival at peak — December is the busiest month for the festival.
Sinterklaas (December 5) is the main Dutch pre-Christmas celebration — gift-giving + family dinners. Most Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas more than Christmas. Restaurants often close December 5 evening.
Travel score
Winter + Christmas + Amsterdam Light Festival
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 43°F / 6°C highs and 36°F / 2°C lows — proper winter. 12 rainy days, 80mm. Humidity 85% + 2 hours of sunshine. Amsterdam Light Festival (late November - mid January, 30 canal light installations) + Christmas markets + Ice Amsterdam (Dam Square skating).
December Travel Advice
Heavy coat + scarf + umbrella. December 5 Sinterklaas Day (kids' gift day, Netherlands' #1 holiday season). December 25-26 Kerstmis (Christmas + St. Esteban public holiday). December 31 Oudejaarsavond countdown + Oliebollen (traditional doughnuts) + Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise #1.
Flying In from Overseas
Korean year-end holiday (Dec 20 - Jan 5) drives 2x baseline — Asia-Amsterdam $1,400-2,450 round-trip. First 2 weeks of December are the last value window.
December Pricing Trends
Year-end hotels 2-3x — Centrum 3-star $350-630/night. December 27-31 is the year's highest.
Amsterdam December Weather Stats
Avg High
6°C
Avg Low
2°C
Rainy Days
19
79mm total
Sunshine
1.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
87%
Comfortable
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
18 km/h
Gusts 40
Sea Temp
8°C
Avg water temp
Snow Days
4
Monthly avg
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 4 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
10 μg/m³
PM10
20 μg/m³
Status
Good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
3°C
Nighttime
-1°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
18 km/h
Max gust 40 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Amsterdam Light Festival at peak
- Sinterklaas cultural experience
- Christmas markets + festive atmosphere
Cons
- Shortest daylight + most rain (19 days)
- Christmas/NYE hotel prices double
- Outdoor sightseeing limited
December Events & Festivals
- Amsterdam Light Festival peak (mid-December)
- Sinterklaas Day (December 5 — main Dutch celebration)
- Christmas + NYE — hotel prices spike for last 10 days
Amsterdam in December — Full Picture
December is deep winter — 6°C daytime, 2°C nights, sunset by 16:30. Shortest days of the year. Amsterdam Light Festival at peak — December is the busiest month for the festival.
Sinterklaas (December 5) is the main Dutch pre-Christmas celebration — gift-giving + family dinners. Most Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas more than Christmas. Restaurants often close December 5 evening.
Christmas markets at Museumplein + Leidseplein open December 1. Smaller than German markets but warm + festive. NYE fireworks across the city (legally limited to amateur-set fireworks in residential streets) are the canonical Amsterdam NYE experience — locals literally set fireworks off the bridges. The night is loud, late, and uniquely Amsterdam. Stay alert for stray fireworks.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Heavy winter coat + thermal layers + scarf + gloves + knitted hat. Waterproof boots. Shortest daylight of the year (under 8 hours).
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
13.3°C
5°C
13/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
21.3°C
12.3°C
12.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
14°C
7.3°C
15.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current6.3°C
1.3°C
17.3/mo
Amsterdam Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6° | 1° | 19d·68mm | 1.7h | 85% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 7° | 1° | 14d·49mm | 2.7h | 81% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 10° | 3° | 14d·65mm | 4h | 79% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 13° | 4° | 13d·41mm | 5.5h | 73% | 4 | Busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 17° | 8° | 12d·49mm | 7h | 70% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 20° | 11° | 12d·67mm | 7h | 72% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 22° | 13° | 13d·76mm | 6.5h | 72% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 22° | 13° | 13d·70mm | 6h | 75% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| 19° | 11° | 13d·67mm | 5.5h | 78% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 14° | 7° | 16d·88mm | 3.5h | 83% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 9° | 4° | 17d·80mm | 2h | 86% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 6° | 2° | 19d·79mm | 1.5h | 87% | 1 | Moderate | Peak |
View Other Months
Amsterdam December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Amsterdam?
Amsterdam in December is Challenging. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Amsterdam in December?
Amsterdam December averages a high of 6°C and a low of 2°C.
Does it rain much in Amsterdam in December?
Amsterdam December averages 79mm of rainfall over about 19 rainy days.
What should I wear in Amsterdam in December?
Heavy winter coat + thermal layers + scarf + gloves + knitted hat. Waterproof boots. Shortest daylight of the year (under 8 hours).
What time are sunrise and sunset in Amsterdam in December?
Amsterdam December sunrise is 08:39 and sunset is 16:29, with 7h 50m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Amsterdam in December?
Amsterdam December air quality (AQI) averages 32, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 10μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Amsterdam in December?
In December, Amsterdam is great for Amsterdam Light Festival cruise, Christmas markets, Sinterklaas + NYE celebrations.
Is December peak season in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam December crowds are moderate and prices are peak. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Amsterdam
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.