Christmas in the Netherlands

If you're looking for something different this holiday season consider spending some time in Amsterdam and experiencing some Dutch traditions. The holidays here start early and are truly a season of celebration.

Dutch Holiday Traditions

The holiday season starts mid-November by the arrival of St. Nicholas, only in the Netherlands he is called Sinterklaas. According to legend, Sinterklaas was the bishop of Myra, now Turkey. His deeds included saving his town from starvation, reviving the dead and offering gifts of dowries to poor girls. The gifts of dowries to poor girls led to the custom of Sinterklaas giving gifts to children. On the eve of December 5th children leave shoes filled with hay or a carrot for Sinterklaas' horse named Schimmel (meaning white horse). Throughout the night, Sinterklaas visits the children's homes while they are sleeping. If the children have been good they awake the next day to shoes filled with presents or sweets. If they've been bad they are taken to Spain and an unknown fate. There aren't too many bad children these days.

Children aren't the only ones who enjoy Dutch holiday traditions. The season is filled with tasty treats for everyone including spicy ginger cookies, sugar candy, fancy fruit slices, chocolates and rich almond marzipan. The visit from Sinterklaas sets off a celebration time when gifts are exchanged and holiday meals shared.

Around Amsterdam

Amsterdam Sinterklaas Procession

If you are in time for Sinterklaas' arrival in Amsterdam join in the festivities of the Sinterklaas Procession. He arrives on a steamer via the Amstel (supposedly from Spain). Around noon, Sinterklaas is treated to a reception hosted by the mayor. Just after the reception, his procession winds its way through the city in a festive parade with floats, bands and attendants. The parade lasts about two hours and ends at Leideplein where Sinterklaas greets the city's children from the balcony of the Stadsschouwburg (the neo-renaissance building home to the city theatre). The event is magical for children who know that Sinterklaas' arrival will end in presents and treats.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

While the Dutch holiday traditions occur at different dates the Anglo-American Christmas, many Dutch people have incorporated December 24th and 25th into their holidays. The businesses and attractions throughout the Amsterdam have adapted to the traditions of visiting tourists and many events are coordinated to include Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Many churches throughout the city offer Christmas Eve masses or featured holiday events like Gregorian concerts. Museums are also open Christmas Day, as are cinemas, restaurants and cafés.

Christmastime at Museumplein

As a visitor to Amsterdam during the holidays you'll find plenty of seasonal spirit. The Museum quarter of the city, known as Museumplein, becomes a Christmas market every year. In the offseason, Museumplein is home to three of the best museums in the city: the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art and the Van Gogh Museum. The Rijkmuseum is open Christmas Day as is the Anna Frank Huis, the photography museum FOAM and the Torture Museum.

The area is flanked by beautiful hotels, cafés and the famous Concertgebouw, home to Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest). The Concertgebouw is renowned for its impeccable acoustics and in addition to over 650 concerts a year there are free lunchtime classical concerts. During the holidays, the Concertgebouw offers special classical Christmas concerts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

During the holidays, the Christmas market at Museumplein is filled with crafts and activities. There are unique gifts to peruse, an ice rink open into the evening and every path is decorated with twinkling lights. The Museumplein is also the perfect spot to take advantage of the city's world class shopping. Hooftstraat, Pieter Cornelisz and Van Baerlestraat are couture lined avenues filled with everything from diamonds to designer handbags.

The Jordaan district is easily accessible from the Museumplein. What was once the city's ghetto has been transformed into a funky neighborhood filled with cozy cafés and unique shops. The district was once home to Dutch writer Joost van den Vondel and Rembrandt, both drawn by the low rents. The original character of the Jordaan has been preserved through local resistance to demolition. Today, the district is home to a new generation of artists, students and small businesses. The narrow streets and canals here invite strolls and every turn reveals art studios, pubs, boutiques and galleries. The Jordaan district also hosts a bevy of markets that offer foods and textiles and the district is home to many of the city's historic churches.

Christmas Eve Mass in the Red Light District

It is likely you've heard of Amsterdam's Red Light District and probably everything you've heard is true. The Red Light District certainly offers a unique window shopping experience that would make for a memorable Christmas but red lights aren't the only ones glowing here during the holiday season. What is often overlooked is that this part of the city is also one of the oldest and most beautiful and its winding cobblestone streets are flanked by incredible 14th century gothic architecture.

Two of the city's most distinct churches are within the Red Light District, the Oude Kerk and the Museum Amstelkring. The Oude Kerk is the oldest church in Amsterdam and a vibrant cultural center. The church hosts cultural events, exhibitions, concerts and receptions. Its beautiful medieval interior is open to the public. The Museum Amstelkring is a masterpiece of disguise. Its typical canal house exterior houses a secret Catholic church in its upper floors called Ons Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Dear Lord in the Attic). The church was built during a time when Catholics lost their right to worship publicly. Its mysterious ambiance, religious artifacts and historical significance come alive during the holiday season with Christmas Eve masses offered at 8:00PM and 10:00PM.

Amsterdam is a city proud of its liberal attitude and endless in its cultural offerings. It is filled with events and attractions throughout the year but the unique Dutch traditions that mark the holiday season are sure to make for a memorable trip.