How do we celebrate New Year's Eve 2026 in Amsterdam with children?
Go early. Two years ago Amsterdam held a children's edition of its Museumplein countdown from 18:30 to 19:10, the Light Festival stays lit until 21:00 on December 31, and last year public transport stopped around 20:00. A family plan that works: a Light Festival cruise in the late afternoon, the early countdown if the city holds one again, and a car back to the hotel by about 19:30. Sparklers and other F1 fireworks are allowed for ages 12 and over.
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Fixed rides and a driver by the hour: prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, ride inside Amsterdam up to 10 km | €50 | fixed at booking, detours included · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, ride inside Amsterdam up to 10 km | €70 | fixed at booking, detours included · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, ride inside Amsterdam up to 10 km | €90 | fixed at booking, detours included · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Business Class, for a family New Year's Eve | €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 a family New Year's Eve | €80 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, for a family New Year's Eve | €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 |
Rides inside Amsterdam up to 10 km have a fixed price per car (€50 in Business Class); a detour around closures does not change it. Longer rides are priced per kilometer and shown before you book. 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.
A family evening
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 16:36 | Sunset |
| 17:00 | A Light Festival cruise; KINboat's last boat that night leaves at 19:30 |
| 18:30 | The children's countdown, if it is held |
| 19:30 | The car back to the hotel |
| Midnight | Watch from the window, or sleep |
Three hours with a driver, 16:30 to 19:30: €195 in Business Class, €240 in Van Class for up to 7.
Related questions
What are oliebollen?
Dutch doughnut balls, the traditional New Year's Eve treat.
Will fireworks keep young children awake?
Consumer fireworks are banned nationwide from this New Year's Eve, but licensed shows go ahead, so choose a hotel away from the show sites.
From what age may children use sparklers?
From 12; F1 fireworks such as sparklers are the only kind consumers may use.
Sources
- NH Nieuws: New Year's shows in Amsterdam, 2024 to 2025 (Dutch) (checked October 21, 2026)
- Headout: KINboat Light Festival cruise (checked October 21, 2026)
- IPLO: fireworks rules for New Year's Eve (Dutch) (checked October 20, 2026)
- Amsterdam Light Festival: dates and hours (checked October 20, 2026)
- NOAA Solar Calculator, sunset times in Amsterdam (local time) (checked October 8, 2026)
- I amsterdam, New Year’s Eve tips for 2025: public transport stopped 20:00 to 01:00, taxis still available, night buses from 01:30, show on Museumplein (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.