New Year’s Eve in the Netherlands

Oud en Nieuw (Old and New) is the Dutch equivalent for New Year’s Eve. Many Dutch people celebrate at home together with friends and family.

The 31st December or Oudejaarsdag (Old Year’s Day) is a busy day for young and old. Fathers prepare oliebollen, Dutch type raisin and apple filled dumplings. Mothers queue in shops and buy ingredients for the New Year’s Eve cold buffet. Children terrorize the streets with fireworks.

Setting off fireworks is not limited to restricted areas but allowed everywhere on 31 December from 10 am to the next morning 4 am.

Dutch Oud en Nieuw is not complete without oliebollen, champagne and the Oudejaarsconferentie on TV when one of the leading comedians reviews the year in a light-hearted way.

Fireworks at Nieuwmarkt, Amsterdam

At midnight churchbells ring, champagne corks pop and people spill out on the streets in front of their houses. Fireworks spark off and Christmas trees are set fire to. These spontaneous bonfires are not allowed. Street parties continue after the fireworks as long as the weather permits. Join the revellers at Leidseplein and Dam Square.

New Year’s Day starts with an oliebollen breakfast and left-overs of the buffet meal. Slouched in a chair in front of the TV, many people watch first the New Year Concert in Vienna and afterwards ski-jumping in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. This is the regular thing to do on 1 January apart from visiting family and friends.

Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
Happy New Year!

If you haven’ t decided yet what to do tonight, here are some suggestions:
Amsterdam Event Guide

photo credit: stingoo @flickr