It seems that the holiday season comes earlier each year; However, in the Netherlands, the holiday season starts earlier than in the United States. The traditional arrival ( intocht ) of Sinterklaas, the Dutch Santa Claus, in mid-November adds a festive air to the city. Sint’s name day is celebrated on December 5; The day is punctuated by a host of indoor activities, from museum exhibits to live performances that abound midway through the cultural season.
While in the region, visitors can also indulge in the quintessential comfort of a hot drink amid the warm patina of an Amsterdam café café. The days of November are quite short for the end of the month, with the sun setting at 4:30 p.m. M. The weather can also be windy, with frequent rains and high wind speeds. Despite that, the tourist crowds have faded, so visitors are in control of Amsterdam’s popular attractions and restaurants. Travel and stay rates are also cheaper due to the low season, making your visit less expensive.
Weather
Nobody goes to Amsterdam in November because of the beautiful weather. Afternoon highs average 48 degrees Fahrenheit, with the temperature dropping to 37 degrees on average at night. Remember these are averages so the end of the month is likely to be colder than these temperatures would indicate.
It also rains quite a bit in Amsterdam in November, with 32 inches as an average amount for the month. The month is also short in daylight, even when it is a sunny day. On November 1, the sun rises at approximately 7:36 a.m. and sets at 5:11 p.m. By November 30, you won’t see the sun rise until 8:26 a.m., and it sets at approximately 4:31 p.m.
What to pack
First of all, you will need a warm raincoat and a sturdy umbrella that can withstand the wind. If you find a large umbrella too difficult to pack, buy one when you arrive and leave it at the hotel when you leave; Consider it a travel expense. A zip-lined trench coat would be optimal so you can adjust it depending on the weather. Also, pack comfortable ankle boots for walking, and sweaters and tops to wear over jeans or pants.
November events in Amsterdam
- The Arrival of Sinterklaas (Intocht van Sinterklaas): On his annual return to Amsterdam in mid-November, Sinterklaas circles the capital, stopping at various squares and other public spaces to address his fans. Then, he embarks on a secret tour of the Netherlands and delivers treats to children across the country until December 5.
- Dutch-American Heritage Day: In 1991, President George HW Bush declared November 16 as Dutch-American Heritage Day. This date celebrates more than 200 years of friendship between the Netherlands and the United States, and honors the contributions that Dutch and Dutch Americans have made to American society.
- Amsterdam Unity Cup – Coffee shop lovers should schedule their Amsterdam vacation to enjoy the Cannabis Cup, the world’s premier marijuana and hemp festival, where participants taste and vote for the best cannabis strains of the year.
- International Documentary Film Festival – The world’s leading documentary film festival returns to Amsterdam in mid-November with hundreds of films on a wide variety of subjects.
- Museumnacht: The annual Museumnacht (Museum Night) Amsterdam offers the opportunity to visit museums late into the night (7pm to 2am) and sample a variety of Amsterdam cultural institutions, in addition to the special ‘n8’ (pronounced ‘Nacht ») Events that each one has prepared for the occasion.
- PAN Amsterdam – The Netherlands’ premier annual arts and antiques fair, renowned for its quality and diversity, offers products for all tastes, from rare books and manuscripts to authentic old masters.