Last updated: August 2026
One would think that October may not be the best time to visit Amsterdam — the days are shorter, the temperature is dropping fast and the wind gets colder. That may all be true, but it would also mean you would miss seeing Amsterdam at one of its most colourful times. In October everything transforms, the green colour that was covering the canals in September changing into a golden-red blanket. The colours and sounds are different; the sunsets are picturesque and late flowers are blooming for the last time before winter. It’s the time when locals win back their city and they can resume their usual routine. Sounds quite romantic, doesn’t it? And it is, especially for fans of autumn.
Below you will find what to expect from the weather, which events are on in October 2026, and what to do in the city on a wet afternoon.
In this article
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Is October a good time to visit Amsterdam?
Yes, if you do not mind rain and early evenings. October sits between the summer crowds and the Christmas ones, so museum queues are shorter and hotel rates are usually lower than they are in July and August.
There is one week to watch out for. The Amsterdam Dance Event, from 21 to 25 October, brings a lot of people into the city for five days, so book accommodation early if you are here then. Marathon weekend, 17 and 18 October, is less about crowds and more about closed roads — the route runs through the centre on the Sunday morning, so plan around it if you are driving or catching a tram. If you are coming for the autumn colours rather than the events, the first half of the month is calmer.
One more thing to know: the Dutch autumn school holiday falls in October. For the north of the country, Amsterdam included, it runs from 10 to 18 October 2026; for the middle and the south it is 17 to 25 October. Museums, playgrounds and anything aimed at children get noticeably busier in those two weeks.
Leaf colour is usually at its best in the second half of the month, although it shifts from year to year.
Amsterdam weather in October and what to pack
There is one risk that anyone assumes when visiting this country — but around here this is true for any other season: the Mighty Weather. Netherlands’ weather is well known for its unpredictability: the days can be sunny and warm like in the summer, or violently cold with heavy rain; or even both at the same time. I, for one, wouldn’t be scared of that — the golden colour is still there under a grey sky as well as a blue one, and a rain coat together with a good umbrella will help anyone find their way between museums, pubs and canal boats. Chances are that you will not see one of those spectacular sunsets, if the days are cloudy, but the charm of the city will still be all around you.
In numbers: October days average around 14 to 15°C and nights around 9°C. Roughly 90 mm of rain falls over the month, spread across about half the days, so showers are likely but rarely all-day. The bigger change is the light — the sun sets just after 19:00 at the start of October and just after 17:00 by the end, because the clocks go back on Sunday 25 October 2026.
What to bring:
- A waterproof jacket with a hood. The wind here is hard on umbrellas. Not to mention the horizontal rain 😀
- Layers rather than one thick coat — cafés and museums are warm, the canals are not.
- Shoes you do not mind getting wet (or waterproof).
- Good mood.
Events in Amsterdam in October 2026
A lot happens in Amsterdam in autumn, from rowing races to film festivals. These are the main ones in October 2026.
- Grachtenrace — Saturday 10 October 2026. The 39th edition of the canal race: rowing sloops cover around 25 kilometres through the city centre, starting and finishing near the Olympic Stadium. It is always held on the second Saturday of October, and you can watch it from any bridge along the route.
- Cinekid Festival — 10 to 25 October 2026. The 40th edition of the world’s largest film and media festival for children. The main Amsterdam venue is Pathé Amsterdam Noord, and the festival also runs at more than 40 locations across the country. There is also a MediaLab with games, VR and workshops.
TCS Amsterdam Marathon — 17 and 18 October 2026. Start and finish in the Olympic Stadium, with the route passing under the Rijksmuseum, along the Amstel and through the Vondelpark. The full and half marathon sold out early; the 7.5K, Kids Run and Heroes Run are on the Saturday. Worth knowing even if you are not running, because parts of the city are closed to traffic on the Sunday.
Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) — 21 to 25 October 2026, the 30th edition. More than a thousand events across some 200 venues, with a daytime conference for the industry and club nights that run until morning. If you are in town that week and not there for the music, book your hotel early.
Afrovibes — usually early October. The festival brings contemporary African theatre, dance, music and film to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Haarlem; in 2025 it ran from 2 to 12 October. The 2026 dates had not been published when I updated this, so check the festival site.
What to do in Amsterdam in October
Most of the things that one can do in Amsterdam are suitable for any season. Ok, maybe not having a picnic in the park. But there are still a lot of things to do in this beautiful city in October.
- Take a canal cruise. You might not feel the wind on your face in the covered boats, but the view over the city from a boat will still be amazing.
- Visit museums and art galleries. Spend a day at the Rijksmuseum, exploring Dutch masterpieces, or immerse yourself in the work of Vincent van Gogh at the Van Gogh museum. Go to Stedelijk for contemporary art, at Foam Museum and Huis Marseille for photography, or discover any of the smaller museums like the Kattencabinet. If you want to plan properly, I have a full guide to all the museums in Amsterdam.
- There are many art galleries around the city where you can admire art for free, and the most renowned areas are the Jordaan and the Spiegelkwartier.
- Explore Amsterdam’s markets. Check out markets like Albert Cuyp in de Pijp neighbourhood, the Flower Market, the Flea Market at the Waterlooplein or any of the weekly farmers markets.
- Enjoy cosy cafés – this is the perfect time to enjoy the brown cafes or any other cosy place that will allow you to hide from the rain or simply delight in a coffee or a hot chocolate while resting your legs after a long stroll around the canals.
- Visit a park – you must pay a visit to one of Amsterdam’s lovely parks (like Westerpark, Frankendael, Vondelpark) because they are absolutely gorgeous in autumn!
- Do a no-mainstream thing to feel more immersed into the local life: The Best Non-Mainstream Things to Do in Amsterdam.
- Go for a concert at The Concertgebouw or a dance show at ITA Amsterdam. These don’t require knowing the Dutch language and, apart from the obvious treat, the buildings themselves are works of art to be admired.
- Book a photo session to have great memories surrounded by the autumn colours.
- Head out of the city for a day. The woods, estates and national parks around Amsterdam are at their best in October — see my guide to the best things to do in the Netherlands in autumn.
- You can also check this list of things to do in Amsterdam recommended by locals.
Tip: to save some money, you can get an Iamsterdam city card that offers you entrance to many museums around the city, canal cruises, public transport and more.
Seeing Amsterdam from the canals is always special, which is why I’ve partnered with Pure Boats. You can book a luxury cruise here:
And here is your virtual walk to illustrate the October colours in Amsterdam:
If you are planning a trip in another season, I have written guides to Amsterdam in spring and what to do in Amsterdam in summer, and there is a month-by-month list of events in Amsterdam in 2026. For autumn ideas beyond the city, have a look at the best things to do in the Netherlands in autumn.
Stay tuned for more and follow Amsterdamian on Instagram and Facebook for more stories about life in the Netherlands, written by a real local, updated constantly.
Check out my photo book: Amsterdam Through the Seasons!
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