Sinterklaas is an age-old Dutch tradition, at which children get presents. Sinterklaas is celebrated on December 5, but the tensions and expectations amongst children build up weeks before that date.

In Amsterdam, like in many other places in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas arrives in the country with a large parade. He will be officially welcomed by the mayor of Amsterdam (Eberhard van der Laan), and accompanied by hundreds of his helpers, the 'Zwarte Pieten' ('Black Peets').

The parade in Amsterdam is very long, with many floats and it attracts thousands of children and their (grand) parents. The Zwarte Pieten will give pepernoten (sweets) to children (traditionally, they throw them around).
There will be hundreds of Zwarte Pieten, who will have thousands of kilograms of pepernoten to hand out.

Route in Amsterdam:
10.45 am: Sinterklaas starts with his boat tour on the river Amstel, to the Scheepvaartmuseum.
12.00 am: Arrival at Scheepvaartmuseum and official welcome by the mayor.
12.30 pm: Start of the Sinterklaas parade Prins Hendrikkade
13.15 pm: Near Sint Nicolaas Church (opposite the Central Station)
13.30 pm: Arrival at Dam Square. Via Damrak, Dam, Rokin, Muntplein, Rembrandtplein, Utrechtsestraat and Weteringcircuit to Leidseplein square.
15.30 pm: Arrival at Leidseplein square
4 pm: Sinterklaas greets all Amsterdam children from the balcony of the Stadsschouwburg theatre on Leidseplein.

See the route on this map (May take some time to load!).


View Sinterklaas arrival and parade 2011 in Amsterdam in a larger map


Sinterklaas in Amsterdam


Child pointing at Sinterklaas


Sinterklaas parade between Central Station and Dam Square


Zwarte Pieten climbing the Bijenkorf building at Dam Square