Amsterdam Cracks Down on Garish Christmas Lights
Holiday displays in the Dutch capital may soon require municipal approval — and lights must be overwhelmingly “warm white,” says a new city guide.
Holiday lighting in Amsterdam may face new style and color restrictions in 2021.
Photographer: Pierre Crom/Getty Images EuropeIf your holiday decorations involve inflatable Minions or light shows that play Metallica songs, steer clear of Amsterdam: This year, the Dutch capital seems to have started a war on garish Christmas displays. Following the launch of a public consultation in November, Amsterdammers may face stringent limits on their decorative options for Christmas 2021. According to proposed new regulations (to be confirmed in the spring) lighting displays on buildings in the city must consist of at least 70% “warm white” bulbs, and must use LED lights only. Allowed to sparkle only from 6 a.m. to midnight and from October to February, these displays will need to be registered online with the municipality if they cover more than a square meter (10.8 square feet) or more than 10% of a building’s façade. Outdoor Christmas trees and displays of holiday figures such as Santa Claus and his reindeer would also need to be registered with the city.
In Amsterdam’s UNESCO-protected city center, the rules will be yet more stringent. There, at least 90% of bulbs must be warm white, and must cover no more than 30% of any façade. Furthermore, the lights must not conceal any architectural ornament and must reflect the shape of the building. (Perhaps wisely, the city has not as yet discussed what, if any penalties there might be for breaking the rules.)