Chinese New Year 2025 in Amsterdam

The Amsterdam's Chinatown meets the Lunar New Year with traditional dances, colorful fireworks, and great Asian food. The celebration usually takes place on Friday and Saturday which is the closest to the date of the New Year around Nieuwmarkt (the Chinatown of Amsterdam) and on Dam Square in the center of Amsterdam.

Lion and Dragon Dance Parade (January 29, 2025)

Amsterdam’s Chinese New Year Parade brings vibrancy and tradition to the heart of the city, starting on January 29, 2025, at the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple on Zeedijk from noon to 1:30 pm. This lively event marks the Year of the Dragon with a procession featuring stunning lion and dragon dances, aimed at driving away evil spirits and welcoming good fortune. The parade winds through Chinatown, along Zeedijk, Stormsteeg, and Geldersekade, ending at Nieuwmarkt, where a festive street party awaits. Expect energetic drumming, firecrackers, and colorful cultural displays to fill the air. You can also visit the Buddhist temple Fo Guang Shan He Hua at at Nieuwmarkt to witness the celebration.

Festive dining

Asian restaurants in the neighbourhood offer lots of special menus with traditional dishes like whole fish and dumplings. You can try a meal at the Sea Palace floating restaurant or one of the joints at Stormsteeg or Geldersekade. A raw fish (yu sheng) is supposed to bring luck while lettuce and fai-hai salad (seaweed) brings prosperity.

CNY at Cinetol (unconfirmed in 2025)

An alternative Chinese New Year celebration is annually hosted by Cinetol, a cultural center in Amsterdam. The festivities feature Asian folk celebrations, including traditional singing, dancing, and foods. In addition, the lineup has performers in other genres, such as bass music, electronic, wave, Indie, or Reverb-pop. The tickets at the door will cost ten euros. More info is available by the link in the External Resources below.