Student

What to do in the Netherlands during the holidays?

Christmas and New Year’s holidays see many international students embarking on journeys to explore Europe. The neighbouring countries of Germany and France offer unlimited fun. However, not all is calm in the Netherlands during that time. If you are planning to stay in the Netherlands during your holidays, there are plenty of things to try…
Marijn Flipse,Jessica Bernard

Illustration: Henk van Ruitenbeek

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Ice skatingWhere: Museumplein and on Radioweg, AmsterdamWhen: Until 5 FebruaryPrice: Starting from €10Details: The skating rinks are open only during a short period, so it might be a little busy. Worthwhile to enjoy the European winters.website

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Enjoy the Amsterdam Light FestivalWhere: Walking route along the Keizersgracht canal and several special events in the Amsterdam Botanical Garden and the Frankendael Park, AmsterdamWhen: Until 22 JanuaryPrice: Boat tours starting from €20, some events are freeDetails: Winter festival of light, art and water, where artists from over 40 countries present their work.websiteWhat: New Year’s DiveWhere: Various locations around the NetherlandsWhen: 1 January 2017Price: Most are freeDetails: There are over 60 locations, and the largest dive is held at the beach of Scheveningen.website

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New Year’s CelebrationsWhere: Oosterdok, AmsterdamWhen: New Years’s Eve Price: FreeDetails: The celebration is characterised by spectacular fireworks, nice pub crawls inthe city and much more fun gatherings.website

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Maastricht Christmas market and Magical MaastrichtWhere: Vrijthof square, MaastrichtWhen: Until 1 January 2017Price: Various fares for the skating rink, Ferris wheel and more; shops have products startingfrom €1.Details: A Christmas experience different from other Dutch cities – a fully magicalextravaganza. website

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Winter EftelingWhere: KaatsheuvelWhen: Until 31 January 2017Price: €36.50Details: During wintertime, the Efteling is transformed into a winter-themed fairy talewonderland. You can also celebrate Christmas and New Year’s at the park. website

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Serious RequestWhere: BredaWhen: From 18 until 24 December 2016Price: You can donate money to charity by requesting a songDetails: During Serious Request, two DJs of the radio station 3FM will be broadcastingfrom a glass house in Breda without eating solid food for six days. The aim isto collect money for charity. This year’s charity is infants with pneumonia.You can contribute to this campaign by making a request or taking action invarious ways. There are many people around the Glass House each day and evening.websiteWhat: The Hague Christmas marketWhere: Lange Voorhout, The HagueWhen: Until 23 December 2016Price: FreeDetails: The Christmas market is in the historical city centre of The Hague. Besidesvarious stalls, there are also music, theatre and various ensembles present.websiteWhat: Christmas Circus NijmegenWhere: Jonkerbosplein, NijmegenWhen: Until 3 January 2017Price: Starting from €20Details: Around Christmas and New Year’s, various circuses can be visited around theNetherlands. If you don’t mind travelling a tad further, you could also try theChristmas Circus in Amsterdam, The Hague or Rotterdam. website

Winter delicacies

Oliebollen, appelflappen (tasty apple fritters) and erwtensoep are must-try holiday delicacies. One can find these in almost every Dutch town and it would be worthwhile to try making the erwtensoep by oneself. Advocaat liquor and Christmas wreath cookies (kerstkransjes) are Christmastime delicacies to savour. Advocaat is the Dutch counterpart of eggnog, and the creamy beverage is simply yummy.

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