Just pulled the trigger on tickets to AMS for Christmas (we will then spend a few days in Paris for NYE). We land on Christmas Day around noon. Wondering if anyone has suggestions for dining places that may be open on Christmas Day? Or other day of activities? Happy to simply wander the beautiful streets...
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
I would double check everything carefully -- maybe twice. Our experience over Christmas and New Years in Germany, Italy, Spain, and England everything, and I mean everything is shut down from Christmas eve mid day through Christmas day (same for New Years). We found that restaurants associated with major hotels were open and packed with tourists. Netherlands may be different but you need first hand knowledge.
Posted by
The Netherlands
1300 posts
The Netherlands isn’t like the UK or Germany. Public transport will be running and although they close early at 5pm, major museums like the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum and Anne Frank house are open. Restaurants are open too, but many of them will serve a special multi course Christmas menu and you will need to book in advance. Each year the number of supermarkets that are open on Christmas Day for last minute Christmas food shopping increases, so you can always grab something to eat there.
You can also go on a canal cruise or walk to see the art of the Amsterdam Light Festival https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/en
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
That is good to know. I wonder if the difference is because of the Catholic and Protestant backgrounds? Sounds like Amsterdam is similar to the US as to what is open and closed.
Posted by
The Netherlands
1300 posts
I don’t believe this has anything to do with being Protestant or Catholic. I live in the southern part of the country which is predominantly catholic and things are exactly the same here compared to the rest of the country. Above all, the Netherlands is a country of merchants. And true merchants don’t close their restaurant, museum or cafe when there are a lot of people out and about with time off from work/school.
The fact that our country doesn’t come to a stand still around Christmas or Easter has lead some people to believe that we don’t celebrate these holidays at all. They couldn’t be more wrong, we definitely do celebrate Christmas, Easter etc, but we don’t shut down the whole country because of it. In fact, we like Christmas and Easter so much dat we have extended them each to 2 days. Both December 25 and 26 are official holidays with schools, government buildings and offices closed, just like Easter Sunday and the next day, Easter Monday.
Workers are paid extra to work during holidays like Christmas and Easter, so most employees working in supermarkets, restaurants, museums etc will happily work on 1 of the 2 days.