Lighting the Christmas Tree on Dam Square

Get ready to soak up the festive cheer while enjoying the Christmas tree lights ceremony!

The Christmas Tree on Dam Square in Amsterdam will be illuminated with twinkling Christmas lights on December 16. This 20-metre high Christmas tree takes its usual place in front of the Royal Palace and this festive lighting ceremony will kick off the Christmas spirit in Amsterdam. 

Four kilometres of Christmas lights

The over 20-metre-high Christmas tree chosen for Dam Square is traditionally grown in the German Ardennes. The tree is so large that to cover it in lights, it requires 40.000 energy-efficient LED bulbs - that’s a four-kilometre string of lights! 

Festive scenes on Dam Square

Once the sun goes down, the majestic lights will come on. For the occasion, there will be carol singers and other music acts, and families and kids can treat themselves to festive food from the many stalls, and perhaps some Dutch snacks like poffertjes or oliebollen. The tree forms the perfect centrepiece for the famous square which will have already celebrated Turn on the Lights. With such festivities taking place, you'll feel like you're already on your holidays.

Winter events in the Netherlands

Don't miss the special winter events in Amsterdam, such as Ice Village Christmas Market at Museumplein, Haarlem Christmas Market in Haarlem and Royal Christmas Fair in The Hague.