Halloween in Amsterdam: the Dutch capital at it spookiest

Discover the dark side of Amsterdam

The pragmatic Dutch may claim not to believe in ghosts but the city had its fair share of haunted places and ghostly residents. All you have to do to find them is go outside and walk through the city to find streets with gruesome names.

For instance, there is Helena on Ghost Alley, or Spooksteeg, who was cursed by her own husband on her deathbed (for murdering his first love, her own sister) in the 18th century. And the blood of condemned prisoners is said to have flowed through Blood Street (Bloedstraat) as it ran down from Nieuwmarkt to the canal.

Would you rather not go on a ghost hunt alone? Join in for a Ghost Walk through the city! The tour takes you through Amsterdam’s spooky past that had its fair share of death and diseases and is full of witches, demons and ghosts. All stories you’ll hear from the experienced guides are original, historical and authentic.

Halloween parties galore

If you are looking for a Halloween party in Amsterdam, there are plenty of options to choose from. The parties come in all shapes and sizes and happen all over the city. Several of Amsterdam’s hottest clubs are having Halloween parties on the weekends before and after the 31^st, all expect you to come in your best costume.

Clubs you might want to visit include Melkweg, which has a Halloween Special on both 25 October (drum & bass) and 1 November (Brazilian party hits). At Panama, there is a Halloween party on 26 October, dedicated to Stephen King's IT. And Westerunie, in Amsterdam's Westerpark, goes all out on the 26^th with the theme Nuclear Survival for the edition 15 of their Halloween event.

Fright Night Skate

Put on your roller skates and celebrate Halloween differently this year with Friday Night Skate! Starting from Vondelpark, Friday Night Skate has taken place here for over 30 years already. It takes its participants to the best spots from the main road to more challenging roads over bridges and alongside canals and tunnels.

The skate is a weekly Friday tradition but the skate on October 25th will be an extra special one. Dress up in your best Halloween costume and join in for a scary Halloween skate around town as well as a fun battle for the best costume. 

Celebrate the Festival of Sint-Maarten

The Dutch trick or treat tradition takes place on November 11, on Sint-Maarten. This festival is celebrated mostly in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium as well as some parts of France in honour of Martin of Tours, the 3rd bishop of Tours in France. He is especially well known for cutting his cloak in two with his sword to give half of it to a freezing beggar during winter.

Traditionally, the festival is marked by a big mass. While the religious significance has declined over the years, it still is a popular festival among children to this day. On November 11, groups of children will go door to door with homemade paper lanterns and sing songs, asking for sweet treats. Either join in with your children or keep some sweets ready for the brightly lit parade!