Enjoy Extra Time to Shop for the Holidays in Amsterdam

To give shoppers extra time to find gifts for Sinterklaasavond (December 5, the night on which most Dutch families exchange gifts) and Christmas (some also give gifts on December 25), Amsterdam city-center shops will stay open late on designated days this month. Many of the stores in Amsterdam's best shopping districts will participate, so take advantage of more time to explore them.

Extra Holiday Shopping Hours in Amsterdam -- Most Stores Close at 9 p.m.

• Wednesday, December 3
• Thursday, December 4
• Monday, December 22
• Tuesday, December 23

As usual, no matter what time of year, most city-center shops stay open until 9 p.m. on Thursday nights, too. Most shops and stores will likely close early (by 5 p.m.) on Wednesday, December 5 and Monday, December 24.

More Amsterdam Holiday Shopping Resources

• Best Inexpensive Dutch Gifts to Buy in Amsterdam
• Top Food and Drink Gifts to Buy in Amsterdam

_{Pictured: Amsterdam's posh P.C. Hooftstraat is decked with holiday lights
Photo © 2007 Shannon McAllister, licensed to About.com}