On Sunday 15 November 2026 Sinterklaas will arrive in Amsterdam. Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) is a truly Dutch tradition. It is the main character of the Sinterklaas feast that is celebrated in the Netherlands on 5 December. From 15 November to 5 December, Sinterklaas will be in Amsterdam and you may run into him or his helpers. There will also be traditional Sinterklaas candy in the shops.

Sinterklaas in Amsterdam

‘Sinterklaas’ (Saint Nicholas) is a typical Dutch character loved by children and adults. He is accompanied by his white horse and a team of helpers (Pieten). Their annual arrival and parade in Amsterdam in mid-November and the festivities leading up to Sinterklaas (poem & gift giving) on 5 December are a real happening.

Programme Sinterklaas parade Amsterdam 2026

On Sunday 15 November, Sinterklaas and his Pieten will arrive by boat. Sinterklaas will sail into Amsterdam on the boat according to the Water Route below. Again this year, some 300,000 – 350,000 visitors are expected to come on the water or along the route by road to welcome Sinterklaas.

Route Sinterklaas parade Amsterdam 2026

The parade consists of two parts: a water route where Sint enters Amsterdam and takes a tour of the city and a land route where Sint and the Pieten walk through the city accompanied by a grand procession. Check out the routes and corresponding times below.

Please note that times are guidelines and may vary slightly. It may therefore happen that Saint is a little earlier or later. Please take this into account when visiting the entry!

Water route

The boat parade starts at 10:15 at De Omval on the Amstel. Sinterklaas then sails past the Berlagebrug, Nieuwe Amstelbrug, Hoge Sluis, the Amstelsluizen near Theater Carré, the Walter Süskindbrug and the Scharrebiersluis to Het Scheepvaartmuseum (National Maritime Museum). He arrives there around 11:30 and is welcomed by deputy mayor Esmah Lahlah and children’s mayor Ava. Sem Ben Yakar and Romy Ruitenbeek will also be there to make it a party.

• 10:15 | Start at De Omval
• 10:30 | Berlagebrug / Weesperzijde
• 10:40 | Nieuwe Amstelbrug
• 10:50 | Hoge Sluis
• 11:05 | Amstelsluizen (Theater Carré)
• 11:15 | Walter Süskindbrug
• 11:25 | Scharrebiersluis
• 11:30 | Arrival at Het Scheepvaartmuseum

Land route

At 13:00 Sinterklaas swaps his steamboat for his horse Ozosnel and rides through the city centre with his Pieten, musicians and floats. The procession leaves from Waterlooplein (Stopera) and travels via Rembrandtplein, Utrechtsestraat, Frederiksplein and Weteringcircuit to Leidseplein. The programme on Leidseplein starts at 13:45, the procession arrives from 14:15 and Sinterklaas himself arrives around 14:45 to speak to all the children. After that there is a party with music and dancing until 15:30.

• 13:00 | Start at Waterlooplein / Stopera
• 13:15 | Rembrandtplein
• 13:20 | Utrechtsestraat
• 13:35 | Frederiksplein
• 13:45 | Programme starts on Leidseplein
• 13:55 | Weteringcircuit
• from 14:15 | Procession arrives on Leidseplein
• around 14:45 | Sinterklaas arrives on Leidseplein and speaks to the children
• 15:30 | End of the programme

Sinterklaas traditions

Sinterklaas is a truly Dutch festival that has been celebrated for a very long time. There are many traditions that belong to Sinterklaas. Children may put their shoe by the chimney and put an apple or a carrot in it for Sinterklaas’ horse. The next morning, there is a present in the shoe.

Sinterklaas songs

Children’s songs belong to the Sinterklaas celebration. There are many of them. On St. Nicholas Eve (5 December), families sing together in order to get St. Nicholas to come to their house to give presents.

Special candy

Sweets are also part of the party. There are special sweets such as kruidnootjes (ginger nuts), pepernoten and marseplein. Chocolate letters are also popular to give. Sweets are also part of the party. There are special sweets such as ginger nuts and pepernoten. Chocolate letters are also popular to give.

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