The Amsterdam Winter Tradition

For many Amsterdammers, the ice rink at Museumplein brings back warm memories. Since the 1990s, the square in front of the Rijksmuseum has been transformed each winter into a place where people of all ages take to the ice. Today, it’s hard to imagine a winter in Amsterdam without this tradition.

Skating at Museumplein: a piece of Amsterdam winter history

Who still remembers the early years, when the rink was relatively small and mainly local residents came to watch? The Skating Rink Museumplein has now grown into an icon of the city, where thousands of visitors from home and abroad discover the joy of skating every year.

The strength of this place lies in the combination of nostalgia and magic. For children it is often the first time they stand on skates, for adults a return to their youth, and for tourists an introduction to a typical Dutch tradition. The Rijksmuseum forms the impressive backdrop that makes every stroke on the ice just a little more special.

Over the years, new activities have been added, such as curling and silent disco, but the core remains the same: enjoying winter together, in the middle of the city. The ice rink at Museumplein is thus not only a sporting activity, but also a piece of Amsterdam culture and history.