What to do in Amsterdam in November: weather, events and tips

November weather: cold, damp and grey

Source: 1991-2020 normals from the Dutch meteorological institute (KNMI), Schiphol station. With only 67 hours of sunshine in the whole month, days are short and grey; night falls before 17:00. Plan indoor visits and keep walks for the middle of the day. See also what to do in Amsterdam when it rains, Amsterdam in autumn and the best time to visit Amsterdam.

Crowds and prices in November

November is one of the quietest months, along with January and February. Queues at the big museums are shorter than in the good season, and room prices are among the lowest of the year, except on event weekends such as Museumnacht or the Sinterklaas arrival. Prices rise again at the end of the month with the opening of the Light Festival. To choose a neighbourhood, see where to stay in Amsterdam, and to estimate costs, the travel budget for Amsterdam.

November 2026 events

Museumnacht: Saturday 7 November

One night a year, dozens of Amsterdam museums open in the evening, with a single ticket, concerts, performances and workshops. In 2026 Museumnacht is on Saturday 7 November, from about 19:00 to 2:00. Queues are long at the best-known museums: pick five or six venues rather than trying to see everything. Check the price and programme on the official Museumnacht website.

IDFA: 12-22 November

The 39th edition of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) runs from 12 to 22 November 2026, in cinemas around Rembrandtplein and in other neighbourhoods. Many films are shown in the original language with English subtitles; screenings sell out quickly, so book online.

Sinterklaas: Sunday 15 November

Saint Nicholas arrives "from Spain" by boat: the national arrival is on Saturday 14 November in Grave, and Amsterdam's on Sunday 15 November 2026, on the Amstel and then in a parade to the Leidseplein. Route, tips and traditions are in our Sinterklaas in Amsterdam guide. 11 November is Saint Martin's Day, a lantern festival for children that is barely visible in the centre.

Light Festival: opens Thursday 26 November

The 15th edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival starts on 26 November 2026 and runs until 17 January 2027; the artworks are lit every evening from 16:30 to 23:00. The walking route is free. On Friday 27 November, Black Friday, shops in the centre run promotions, which makes the shopping streets busier.

What to wear in November

• A warm coat: 5°C on average in the morning, with a northerly wind.
• Layers you can take off in museums and cafés, which are well heated.
• A raincoat and waterproof shoes.
• Hat and gloves for evenings on the canals and the Light Festival.

The best things to do in November

• The big museums: the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum are easier to visit than in summer; book a time slot, see booking tickets in Amsterdam.
• Smaller museums: the Het Schip Museum, the Maritime Museum and the EYE Filmmuseum fill a rainy half-day nicely.
• Cinema: see the cinemas of Amsterdam, especially during IDFA.
• Brown cafés: a warm break, see the brown cafés of Amsterdam.
• Passes: if you visit several museums, compare the museum passes.

November 2026 at a glance

Going further

November follows what to do in Amsterdam in October and comes before what to do in Amsterdam in December. For the cold season, read Amsterdam in winter and Christmas in Amsterdam. Among the events of the month, see the Museumnacht and, for American visitors, Thanksgiving in Amsterdam.