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When to go · Netherlands

Netherlands in December

Mixed month. Amsterdam Light Festival and Christmas markets; Sinterklaas on 5 December.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Medium
Netherlands
Prices
Medium
Netherlands

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for Netherlands

Amsterdam Light Festival and Christmas markets; Sinterklaas on 5 December.

Is another month better than December?

December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in December

  • Coast and Randstad · Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden, The Hague, Rotterdamcool

    Windy and changeable; showers rather than all-day rain. Summers 20–25 °C (68–77 °F), occasional heatwaves; tulips late March – mid May.

  • Inland and south · Utrecht, Arnhem, Maastricht, Eindhovencool

    Slightly warmer summers and colder winters; Limburg has the only hills.

  • North and Wadden · Groningen, Friesland, Texelcool

    Cooler and windier; island ferries and seal trips best June–September.

  • Achterhoek: Achterhoekcool

    Mild maritime climate; rain spread through year, warmest July–August (≈22 °C (72 °F)).

  • Bollenstreek: South Holland coastal plain · Bollenstreekcool

    Spring (Mar‑May) best for flowers; mild summer, occasional rain.

  • Eastern Netherlands: Veluwe and IJssel valley · Apeldoorn, Arnhem, Zwolle, Deventercold

    Inland and slightly drier than the coast; heath turns purple in August and September. Winter days are short and grey; some park facilities close.

  • Northern Netherlands: Groningen / Friesland / Drenthe · whole region, coastal and inlandcold

    Slightly colder than the west, so outdoor ice skating often starts here first; wind off the Wadden Sea makes the coast feel colder than the temperature suggests. Drenthe's plateau is a little drier and more wooded.

  • Southern Netherlands: Zeeland coast · Walcheren, Delta Workscool

    Sea wind all year; the coast is mildest in spring and early autumn, and summer weekends fill the estuary towns.

  • Southern Netherlands: North Brabant · Eindhoven, Breda, 's-Hertogenboschcool

    City trips work all year; carnival falls in February or early March.

  • Southern Netherlands: South Limburg · Maastricht, Valkenburg, hillscool

    The warmest corner of the country; asparagus in spring, vineyards and walking from May to October.

  • Western Netherlands: Randstad and coast · Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrechtcold

    Mild, wet and windy all year; 20–23 °C (68–73 °F) is a normal July high, and rain can arrive any month. Coastal wind makes Scheveningen and Zandvoort feel cooler than the city.

  • Amsterdam7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 19 rain days
  • Aa en Hunze6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Aalsmeer7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days
  • Alkmaar7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Almelo7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 14 rain days
  • Almere7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Alphen aan den Rijn7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days
  • Amersfoort7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Amstelveen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Andijk7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Ansen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Apeldoorn6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Appingedam6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Arcen6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days
  • Arnhem7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 17 rain days
  • Assen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Asten6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Baarle6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days
  • Barneveld6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days
  • Beemster7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Bergen, North Holland7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Bergen op Zoom7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Berkelland6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Boekel7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Bolsward6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days
  • Bourtange5 °C (41 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Boxmeer6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Breda7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Brielle7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Broek in Waterland6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days
  • Broek op Langedijk7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Bronckhorst6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Bunnik6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 20 rain days
  • Bussum6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 20 rain days
  • Castricum7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Coevorden6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 15 rain days
  • Cuijk6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 7 rain days
  • Culemborg7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • De Bilt6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days
  • De Fryske Marren6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Delft7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Delfzijl5 °C (41 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Den Helder7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days
  • Deurne6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days
  • Deventer6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Diemen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days
  • Dinkelland5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days
  • Doesburg6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 11 rain days
  • Doetinchem6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Domburg7 °C (45 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 13 rain days
  • Dordrecht7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Drachten6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days
  • Drenthse Veenkoloniën6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Dronten7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days
  • Edam7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Ede7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Efteling7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Eindhoven6.6 °C (44 °F) / 1.2 °C (34 °F), 19 rain days
  • Elburg6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Emmen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Enkhuizen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Enschede6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Epen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Franeker7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days
  • Gelders Arcadië6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days
  • Geldrop7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Geleen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Gemert6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days
  • Giethoorn7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 16 rain days
  • Goes8 °C (46 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 13 rain days
  • Gorinchem7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Gouda7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Grave7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Groningen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 14 rain days
  • Gulpen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Haaksbergen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Haarlem7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Harderwijk7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Harlingen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 18 rain days
  • Heemskerk7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Heerenveen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Heerlen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Heiloo7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Helmond7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Hengelo6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Hilversum7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Hindeloopen6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 12 rain days
  • Hoensbroek6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days
  • Hogeland6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 14 rain days
  • Hoofddorp7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days
  • Hoogeveen6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 13 rain days
  • Hoorn7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days
  • Hulst7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • IJsselstein7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kampen7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days
  • Katwijk7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kerkrade6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kinderdijk7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Kuinre6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days
  • Laarbeek6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days
  • Landgraaf6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Langezwaag6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Laren7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days
  • Leeuwarden6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Leiden7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Lelystad6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days
  • Liemers7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Lisse7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Lochem6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Maassluis7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days
  • Maastricht7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Margraten6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Marken7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days
  • Meppel6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days
  • Middelburg7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Mill en Sint Hubert6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Monnickendam7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Muiden7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days
  • Naarden7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days
  • Nieuwegein7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Nijmegen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Noord-Beveland7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Noordoostpolder6 °C (43 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Noordwijk7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Nuenen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Oegstgeest7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Oldambt6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Oldenzaal5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 12 rain days
  • Ommen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Oost Gelre6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Oosterbeek7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days
  • Oss6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days
  • Oudewater7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Overloon6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days
  • Partij-Wittem6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Purmerend6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ravenstein7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Rhenen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Rijswijk7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days
  • Roermond7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Roosendaal6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days
  • Rotterdam/Albrandswaard7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days
  • Rotterdam/Hook of Holland7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Rotterdam7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • 's-Hertogenbosch7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Schagen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days
  • Scheveningen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Schiedam7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Schiermonnikoog6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Schoonhoven6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days
  • Simpelveld6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Sint Anthonis7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 20 rain days
  • Sittard7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Sliedrecht6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days
  • Sluis7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Sneek6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Soest6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days
  • Someren6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days
  • Spijkenisse7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Stavoren7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days
  • Terneuzen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • The Hague7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 19 rain days
  • Tholen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days
  • Thorn7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Tiel7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 17 rain days
  • Tilburg7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Uitgeest7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days
  • Urk6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days
  • Utrecht7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Utrechtse Heuvelrug7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days
  • Vaals6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Valkenburg aan de Geul6 °C (43 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Veenendaal7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days
  • Veenkoloniën6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Venlo6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Vijfheerenlanden6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days
  • Vlaardingen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Vlissingen7 °C (45 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 13 rain days
  • Volendam7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Wageningen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 17 rain days
  • Wassenaar7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Weert7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Weesp7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Westerbork6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Westkapelle7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Wijchen6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 8 rain days
  • Wijk bij Duurstede7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Wijlre6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Winterswijk6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Woerden7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Workum7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Zaandam7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days
  • Zaanse Schans7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days
  • Zandvoort7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Zeewolde6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days
  • Zeist6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Zierikzee7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Zoetermeer7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Zutphen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Zwijndrechtse Waard7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days
  • Zwolle6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Sinterklaas

    5 Dec (eve)

    Family gift evening; not a day off, but shops close early.

  • Christmas

    25–26 Dec

    Two days off; shops closed, museums mostly open with short hours.

  • Light festival

    Dec–January · Amsterdam

    Boat tours and canal-side crowds in the evenings.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Netherlands
Medium
Prices · Netherlands
Medium

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Netherlands, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Dec: Mixed

    May: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Dec: Medium

    May: High

  • Prices

    Dec: Medium

    May: High

  • Festivals listed

    Dec: 3

    May: 4

December: Amsterdam Light Festival and Christmas markets; Sinterklaas on 5 December.

May: Mild and green; Liberation Day on the 5th; Keukenhof closes mid-May.

Netherlands: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in December

Rated best or good this month

  • Efteling

    Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep; December for Winter Efteling

  • Roermond

    Best months: May–Sep for the lakes and terraces; Nov–Dec for outlet sales

  • Valkenburg aan de Geul

    Best months: May–Jun, Sep; late Nov–Dec for the Christmas markets