Sinterklaas Festival Amsterdam 2025: The magical connection between St. Nicholas of Bari and Amsterdam's patron saint

From the Adriatic Sea to the canals of Holland: discover how Puglia and Amsterdam celebrate the same saint in two different ways, combining faith, folklore, and Christmas sweets.

There's a common thread connecting the blue sea of Bari to the shimmering gray of Amsterdam's canals. It's called Saint Nicholas —or, to use the Dutch term, Sinterklaas —and every year he transforms two distant cities into one great celebration of tradition, culture, and winter magic.

Sinterklaas Festival 2025 in Amsterdam , scheduled for Sunday, November 16, 2025 , is one of the most anticipated events of the year in the Netherlands: a spectacular parade celebrating the arrival of the city's patron saint, cheered by over 350,000 people along the canals. It is the official start of the Christmas holidays in the Netherlands, when Sinterklaas arrives by boat and brings with him the warmth of the North, the joy of children, and a pinch of Christmas spirit.

But those who know Saint Nicholas well know that his heart also beats much further south, in Puglia , among the white stones of the Basilica of Saint Nicholas in Bari , where his relics rest and where every year thousands of faithful and tourists gather to celebrate him.

In 1087, sailors from Bari brought the relics of Saint Nicholas from Myra (now Turkey) to Bari. This event transformed Bari into a world center for the worship of Saint Nicholas and a bridge between East and West. The majestic Basilica of Saint Nicholas was built to house the relics and was consecrated in 1089. May 8: The day the relics arrived in Bari. This date is particularly significant for the people of Bari, as it celebrates the miracle that made the city famous throughout the world. Saint Nicholas is celebrated in both the Catholic and Orthodox rites, and Bari has become a meeting place between these two souls of Christianity.

Two cities, two cultures, one Saint: this is why this journey is a perfect bridge between Mediterranean spirituality and Nordic magic.

Amsterdam and Bari: two cities, one Saint

In Holland they call him Sinterklaas , in Amsterdam he is a living legend: he arrives by boat from the sea , disembarks among the celebrating crowd and rides his white steed through the streets of the city centre and stays there until December 6th.

In Bari, however, Saint Nicholas is the protector, the patron saint, and the soul of the old city. There, in the heart of Puglia, the Basilica of Saint Nicholas houses the relics of the Holy Bishop of Myra, which arrived in 1087 by a group of sailors from Bari.

• In Bari , Saint Nicholas is faith and miracle. The celebrations are spiritual, filled with pilgrimages and devotion...and also with local traditions.

• In Amsterdam , Sinterklaas is joy and celebration: an urban parade, traditional sweets (such as pepernoten and hot chocolate), colorful costumes and music in the streets.

Sinterklaas Welcome Parade Amsterdam 2025: Dates, Route, and Fun Facts

On the occasion of the celebrations, Amsterdam is preparing to welcome the Sinterklaas Welcome Parade on November 16, 2025 , from 10:00 to 15:30 , for its new official edition of the Winter Festival Amsterdam .

Sinterklaas is expected to arrive by boat on the Amstel River, disembarking at the Maritime Museum (Scheepvaartmuseum) around 11:30 am , with more than 100 boats taking part in the river parade.

From there, the procession continues through the centre to Leidseplein , where Sinterklaas gives his official greeting to the city.

Best things to do in Amsterdam

Each year, the event attracts over 300,000 spectators from around the world. Tickets are not required: the parade is free and accessible to all, perfect for families, couples, or curious visitors seeking an authentic local experience.

Participation is free, but for special experiences such as boat tours or reserved areas you can book via winterfestivalamsterdam.com or the city's official tourist channels.

It's recommended to arrive early (around 9:00) to get the best spot along the canal — and wrap up warm with gloves and a hat: November in Amsterdam can be enchanting… but also very cold!

Events not to be missed during Sinterklaas Day

In addition to the main parade, Amsterdam comes alive with a series of unmissable events:

• Children's workshops and Christmas markets along the canals and in the city's museums.

• Christmas concerts and street performances in the Leidseplein and Museumplein areas.

• Sinterklaas Cruise , a themed mini cruise to admire the arrival of the Saint directly from the water (bookable on the official website of the Winter Festival Amsterdam ).

How to get to Amsterdam from Bari or Brindisi

Getting to Amsterdam from Puglia is easy, but it does require a bit of planning.

• By plane : the most convenient flights depart from Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) .

  Transavia offers direct seasonal connections .

  
  

Once you arrive at Schiphol, the NS Intercity train takes you to the heart of Amsterdam in 15 minutes. From Amsterdam Centraal , you can reach the parade area (Scheepvaartmuseum and Leidseplein) by tram (lines 2, 11, or 12).

Travel tip: Sleep in the city the night before the event to experience the magic from the first light of day and enjoy a Dutch breakfast with steaming coffee and stroopwafels.

Welkom Sinterklaas, welcome Saint Nicholas!