What's a good way to spend Christmas Day 2026 in Amsterdam?
Plan around what stays open, and book ahead. I amsterdam says most museums and attractions close on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, but the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra plays its Christmas Matinee at 14:15, and the Light Festival's artworks switch on at 16:30. If you would rather see a market, Magisch Maastricht opens 11:00 to 18:00 that day, about 2 h 50 from Amsterdam by car.
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With a driver by the hour: prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, for Christmas Day | €65 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, for Christmas Day | €80 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, for Christmas Day | €100 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
By the hour: minimum 2 hours, 40 km included per hour, and the day starts and ends in the same city. The driver waits between stops. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20 to 26, 2026) fixed ADE-week prices apply, shown before you book; promo codes cannot be used that week. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At an airport or an intercity station the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
What is included in the price
- A fixed price confirmed at booking, with VAT included: no meter and no surge
- The chauffeur’s name, car and phone number before pickup, plus e-mail reminders 24 hours and 2 hours ahead
- Water and phone chargers (iOS and Android) in the car
- Status updates to the person who booked, if that is not the passenger: confirmed, chauffeur en route, guest in the car, arrived
In the city
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 11:00 | A walk along the quiet canals |
| 13:00 | Lunch, booked ahead |
| 14:15 | Christmas Matinee at the Concertgebouw, until about 16:35 |
| 17:30 | A Light Festival cruise |
| 19:30 | Christmas dinner |
A driver for the afternoon and evening, 7 hours: €455 in Business Class, €560 in Van Class.
Or go to Maastricht
Pickup at 08:30, Maastricht from about 11:00, when the market opens, lunch near the Vrijthof, and back on the road when the market closes at 18:00. A day of 11 hours: €715 in Business Class, €880 in Van Class. The Valkenburg caves and the American Cemetery at Margraten are closed on December 25.
Related questions
Do we need to book Christmas dinner?
Yes, and early; Christmas Day tables fill up.
What about December 26?
It is also a public holiday, and I amsterdam says most museums and attractions close that day too.
How do we get home from dinner on Christmas night?
Book the ride for a set time, so you are not waiting in the cold.
Sources
- I amsterdam: opening hours during holidays (checked October 21, 2026)
- Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra: Christmas Matinee 2026 (checked October 21, 2026)
- Amsterdam Light Festival: dates and hours (checked October 20, 2026)
- ANWB: Maastricht (Dutch) (checked October 20, 2026)
- ANWB: Valkenburg (Dutch) (checked October 20, 2026)
- ABMC, plan your visit to Netherlands American Cemetery: open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except December 25 and January 1, last admission 15 minutes before closing, free, staff escort relatives to graves; direct train Amsterdam to Maastricht, then bus 350; about 155 miles from Amsterdam (checked September 29, 2026)
- Rijksoverheid, official public holidays in the Netherlands, including Christmas on December 25 and 26 (checked September 29, 2026)
Book it, or ask dispatch first
Book online in a few minutes (no account, no app), or send your flight number and address on WhatsApp and dispatch replies in English, 24 hours a day.