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Sinterklaas Welcome Parade Amsterdam

November 13 @ 10:00 am – 1:20 pm

Sinterklaas Amsterdam
Sinterklaas Amsterdam

On Sunday 13 November 2023 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 14 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.

Corona / COVID19 update

As of 25 February 2022, all corona / COVID19 measures in the Netherlands have expired.

  • Restaurants, attractions, museums and nightlife can open again according to regular opening hours.
  • A distance of 1.5 metres no longer needs to be kept
  • Mouth masks are no longer compulsory.
  • The corona admission ticket (QR code) is no longer needed to go to a restaurant, attraction or museum.
  • Most travel restrictions are lifted. Visit the official website of rijksoverheid.nl for more information

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Sinterklaas in Amsterdam

‘Sinterklaas’ (Saint Nicholas) is a typical Dutch character loved by children and adults. He is accompanied by his white horse Amerigo and a team of 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 2022

On Sunday 13 November Sinterklaas will arrive in Amsterdam. For the first time in history, Sinterklaas and his Pieten will sail along the Amsterdam canals: via the Amstel, Prinsengracht, Brouwersgracht and Herengracht to the Scheepvaartmuseum.

Route Sinterklaas parade Amsterdam 2022

Route Sinterklaas Parade 2021

The Sinterklaas parade lasts from 10.00 to 13.20 hrs! Below is the route of the entry. Please pay attention! The times below are an estimation and are subject to change. Make sure you are on time to cheer on St. Nicholas and his helpers!

Route Sinterklaas Parade on 13 November 2022
10:00Sint sails into Amsterdam
10:10Amstel – Weesperzijde
10:20Amstel – Ceintuurbaan
10:25Amstel – Amstelhotel
10:35Amstel – Sarphatistraat
10:40Amstel – Carré
11:00Prinsengracht
11:50Brouwersgracht
11:55Herengracht
13:00Via Amstel to Nieuwe Herengracht and Schippersgracht
13:20Arrival Scheepvaartmuseum (for invited guests only)

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.