Events for March 2009
March is one of the best months of the year to visit Amsterdam, with the cold bite of winter banished deep into the distance and the famous Dutch flower fields awakening to spread a layer of thick colour across the horizon!
Story Highlights
- Dam Markets
- Ajax Amsterdam versus De Graafschap
- Keukenhof Park
- Stille Omgang
Dam Markets ‐ Throughout March, 2009
A great way to explore Amsterdam is to set about touring its many vibrant markets. Here’s an insight into just a few of them.
After closing in January and February, two of Amsterdam's most famous markets, the Spui Art Market and the Thorbeckeplein Modern Art Market reopen in March. This means Sundays can now be spent strolling lazily amongst local works of art and around beautiful, open‐air galleries.
Retro enthusiasts and youth culture addicts usually spend hours browsing a muddle of second‐hand clothing, locally produced designer t‐shirts, old military uniforms, African bongo drums and bric‐a‐brac in Amsterdam's largest, oldest, and coolest souk ‐ The Waterlooplein flea market.
The Noordermarkt flea market, situated in the hip Jordaan district of Amsterdam, is open on Monday mornings and all day on Saturday. Imagine a massive car‐boot sale, vending stylish, re‐worked furniture, bags, scarves, and retro clothing.
You’ll also find a multitude of other markets dotted around the city that focus entirely on literature, flowers and food.
Ajax Amsterdam versus De Graafschap – March 15, 2009
With traditional rivals PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord out of the running for this year’s Dutch Eredivisie title, four times European Cup winners Ajax Amsterdam remain on course for a title run in with league leaders, AZ Alkmaar.
This March Ajax play relegation threatened De Graafschap inside the 55,000 capacity Amsterdam Arena. Expect lots of goals and hopefully an easy home victory. The game kicks off at 14.30 and tickets are available on the club’s website.
Keukenhof Park ‐ March 19 to May 21, 2009
Holland is famous for its pretty flower fields which adorn an area just to the west of Amsterdam, known as the Bollenstreek. The Bollenstreek is renowned for being the world’s biggest flower garden and between March and May the region plays host to Keukenhof Park, the worlds most famous flower exhibition.
When in full bloom the area is one of the most colourful, visited, and photographed regions in the world. Imagine endless fields of bright crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips, rolling across the countryside in a patchwork of intense flush that extends for miles. One of the best ways to explore the Bollenstreek is to rent a bike, load a lump of Edam into a nap‐sack and cycle off into the countryside, armed to the teeth with a map and a camera. Before long you’ll be surrounded by rainbow coloured flower fields, historical windmills and Dutch farmers wearing wooden clogs! For more information, Google the Keukenhof Park website.
Stille Omgang (Silent Procession) ‐ March 21, 2009
To celebrate the: “miracle of Amsterdam” the Catholic Church annually arranges a silent procession through the city. The procession begins in the Spui district of town before heading along Kalverstraat toward Central Station. Expect over 8000 participants to attend the biggest and best known Catholic ritual held in the Netherlands today.
‐ Johnny Lee
