Events for December 2011
Ho Ho Ho(lland)! It’s officially the festive season and nobody else does it like the Dutch. For any holiday season junkies, the Netherlands is definitely the place to be with its barrage of Christmas celebrations, events and traditions. With delicious heart and belly warming seasonal treats like chocolate letters, pepernoten (tiny spiced cookies), speculaas (traditional biscuits), warme chocolademelk (a rich hot chocolate drink), and Gluhwein (Mulled wine) you are sure to get more than your share of that wonderful holiday feeling in Holland.
Story Highlights
- Winterparade
- Wereldkerstcircus
- New Year’s Eve
- Alternative Events
Winterparade – December 18 to 29, 2011
If you’re interested in celebrating the festivities a tad differently, then the Winterparade is the place to be. This year things have changed a bit and the whole company is on a tour of the Netherlands. There are lots of good things on offer and the evenings promise to be full of comedy, good food, theatre, dance and music. The line up includes performances by actress and theatre-maker Sanne Vogel, dancer and choreographer Massimo Molinari and actress Christine van Stralen. Last but by no means the least, the popular Silent Disco will make another appearance. For more details visit the website and turn on Google Translate. www.winterparade.nl
Wereldkerstcircus - December 18, 2011 to January 9, 2012
The Wereldkerstcircus (World Christmas Circus) has over time become a much anticipated Christmas tradition in Amsterdam. It’s been going on for over two decades and gets better every year. It features international acts performing live music, gravity defying acrobats and stallion dressage! The venue makes the show even more spectacular – held at the grand, 120-year-old Theatre Carre. www.carre.nl
New Year’s Eve - December 31, 2011
When it comes to parties, the Dutch know their business. So you can be rest assured that things are going to be grand, over the top and fabulous for the biggest party of the year. From comedy shows and theatre performances, to complete debauchery, there are several parties across the city to cater to everyone. Also the last days of December are the only days in Amsterdam when firecrackers are permitted!
Alternative Events
If you you’re Santa Claus-ed out, Amsterdam will not disappoint on the alternative events front. This month see’s the Cinedans Festival arrive in town. This is an international dance and movie festival featuring films, documentaries, installations, and moving media along with a children's programme. www.cinedans.nl
Another interesting dance event this month is the Tangomania - the popular Amsterdam festival for Argentinean Tango. World famous performers come to town to strut their stuff but the festival isn’t just about watching. Every night there will be a Tango salon where visitors can try out their tutored moves onto the dance floor. There will also be workshops galore. www.tangomania.com
Finally for the music lovers there are free Christmas Eve concerts at the award winning 19th century venue, Concertgebouw. Concerts will be held on December 25 and 26 too. www.concertgebouw.nl
- Ankita Mahabir
