October weather: cool, windy and changeable
| Amsterdam normals (Schiphol) | October |
|---|---|
| Average maximum temperature | 15°C |
| Average minimum temperature | 8°C |
| Rainfall | 87 mm |
| Sunshine | 117 hours |
Source: 1991-2020 normals from the Dutch meteorological institute (KNMI), Schiphol station. October is wetter and gets less than half the sunshine of June, so always have an indoor option; see what to do in Amsterdam when it rains. Another change: on Sunday 25 October 2026 the Netherlands goes back to winter time (at 3:00 it becomes 2:00). Evening falls an hour earlier from the next day. To compare with other seasons, see the best time to visit Amsterdam and, for the whole season, Amsterdam in autumn.
Crowds and prices in October
October is a month of average crowds with two peaks: the autumn school holidays, which run depending on the region from 10 to 25 October 2026 (dates recommended by the Dutch government), and Amsterdam Dance Event week, 21-25 October. During ADE rooms are expensive and sell out fast: book early, or stay outside the centre. Outside those dates prices drop. To choose a neighbourhood, see where to stay in Amsterdam.
October 2026 events
Amsterdam Marathon: Sunday 18 October
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon, in its 51st edition, takes place on Sunday 18 October 2026. It starts and finishes in the Olympic Stadium; the course passes the Rijksmuseum, follows the Amstel and runs through the Vondelpark. Several streets in the south of the city are closed during the morning: check before relying on trams or bikes that day.
Amsterdam Dance Event: 21-25 October
The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) celebrates its 30th anniversary from Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 October 2026. It is the world's biggest electronic music gathering, with parties in hundreds of venues, such as the Gashouder in the Westergasfabriek. There is no single ticket: each party is booked separately. Everything is explained in our Amsterdam Dance Event guide.
Ice rinks: opening in late October
The open-air rink on the Museumplein, in front of the Rijksmuseum, opens on 24 October 2026 and runs until 16 January 2027. The Jaap Eden IJsbaan, the speed-skating oval in Amsterdam-Oost, opens to the public from 10 October 2026. Prices and time slots are in our Christmas in Amsterdam guide.
Halloween, Saturday 31 October
Halloween is a recent and low-key festival in the Netherlands. In Amsterdam it mostly means costume parties in clubs and concert halls, and a few activities for children. The end of the month is also the last chance for a heated terrace: nights are long and the lit-up canals are very photogenic.
What to wear in October
- Layers: a jumper or fleece and a windproof jacket; mornings average 8°C and the wind picks up on the quays.
- A raincoat rather than an umbrella, which the wind quickly turns inside out.
- Waterproof shoes for wet cobbles and slippery leaves.
- Bike lights: night falls early and unlit bikes are often checked, see cycling in Amsterdam.
The best things to do in October
- Parks in autumn: the Vondelpark and the Hortus Botanicus are at their best when the leaves turn gold, between showers.
- The big museums: the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum are quieter than in summer on weekdays; book a time slot, see booking tickets in Amsterdam.
- Rembrandt House: open 10:00 to 18:00 until 31 October 2026, then 10:00 to 17:00 from 2 November; see the Rembrandt House page.
- Waterlooplein market: the central flea market is better in dry weather, see the Waterlooplein market.
- A canal cruise: on a covered boat it is a good way to see the city in the rain, see the canal cruise guide.
- Eating: stamppot, pea soup and seasonal beer, see what to eat in Amsterdam.
October 2026 at a glance
| Date | Event | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 25 October | Autumn school holidays | Dates depend on the region |
| Sunday 18 October | Amsterdam Marathon (51st edition) | Streets closed in the south in the morning |
| 21 to 25 October | Amsterdam Dance Event (30th edition) | Expensive rooms, tickets per party |
| Saturday 24 October | Museumplein ice rink opens | Until 16 January 2027 |
| Sunday 25 October | Clocks go back to winter time | One extra hour of sleep |
| Saturday 31 October | Halloween | Costume parties, mostly in clubs |
Going further
October follows September and comes before what to do in Amsterdam in November, then what to do in Amsterdam in December. For the cold season, read Amsterdam in winter, and for budgets, travel budget for Amsterdam. For the end of the month, see our pages on Halloween in Amsterdam and the Amsterdam marathon.
