Most museums and attractions in Amsterdam are open on New Year's Eve, usually with shorter hours, and many reopen on New Year's Day from late morning or noon. On 31 December shops close early and public transport stops around 20:00, so plan your day accordingly. Below are the opening hours for 31 December 2026 and 1 January 2027 of the most popular museums, attractions and winter activities.
31 December and 1 January at a glance
| Museums on 31 Dec | Mostly open, often until around 17:00 |
| Attractions on 31 Dec | Mostly open; some close early, a few stay open until 22:00 |
| Museums on 1 Jan | Many open, often from 10:00 or 12:00; some are closed |
| Amsterdam Light Festival | Lights on until 21:00 on 31 Dec and until 23:00 on 1 Jan |
| Shops | Close early on 31 Dec; on 1 Jan most shops are closed |
| Public transport | Stops around 20:00 on 31 Dec, night services from about 01:00–02:00 |
| Tip | Book a time slot in advance: tickets at the door are often sold out |
Opening hours on 31 December 2026 and 1 January 2027
Winter activities
Most winter activities close early on New Year's Eve. The Amsterdam Light Festival switches off its lights at 21:00 on 31 December, so Light Festival cruises and tours only run in the late afternoon and early evening: the cruise from Central Station has departures between 17:00 and 19:00. The ice rink on Museumplein is open until 21:00, right next to the free New Year's Eve celebration. Amsterdam Winter Paradise in the RAI is closed on 31 December and reopens on 1 January.
Museums
Most museums are open on 31 December, usually until around 17:00, and many reopen on New Year's Day, some only from 12:00. A few, such as the Wereldmuseum and Het Scheepvaartmuseum, stay closed on 1 January. The big museums only sell timed tickets, and the days between Christmas and New Year are among the busiest of the year, so book your time slot online before you go, especially for the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum.
Attractions
31 December is one of the busiest days of the year for Amsterdam's attractions. Many visitors fill their last day of the year with a museum or attraction before the evening celebrations, while most attractions close earlier than usual. Almost all of them work with time slots and limited capacity, and tickets at the door often sell out. Reserve your time slot online in advance, ideally a few days before, and choose a morning or early afternoon slot to avoid the busiest hours.
Tips for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
- Go early on 31 December. Museums are quietest in the morning and many close earlier than usual.
- Book a time slot. The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Heineken Experience work with timed tickets, and the holiday days sell out.
- Plan your evening. Public transport stops around 20:00, so pick dinner, a party or the free New Year's Eve celebration on Museumplein within walking distance of your hotel.
- Take it slow on 1 January. Most places open late. A walk past the Amsterdam Light Festival artworks after dark or a canal cruise is a great way to start the year.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Most museums are open on 31 December, usually until around 17:00. Check the table above for the exact hours and book a time slot in advance.
Many are, often from 10:00 or 12:00. The Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum and NEMO are open on 1 January; some museums, such as Het Scheepvaartmuseum and the Wereldmuseum, are closed.
Yes. The Rijksmuseum is open on 1 January 2027 from 09:00 to 17:00.
Shops, many attractions and public transport. Trams, buses, metros and trains stop around 20:00 on 31 December.
Yes. Many museums and attractions such as A'DAM Lookout, Madame Tussauds and ARTIS open on 1 January, usually from late morning. Most shops are closed.
Popular links
Open on 31 December
Winter activities on New Year's Eve
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