Take a festive moment to cherish these jolly pictures. They showcase the merriment in the Netherlands, which celebrates Saint Nicholas (a.k.a. St. Nick) AND Santa Claus.
Santa Claus was derived from the Dutch character of Sinterklaas, named after the 4th-century Saint Nicholas of Myra. (That's why the 1947 film, Miracle on 34th Street, has Santa Claus singing in Dutch to a little girl inside Macy’s Department Store!) St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Amsterdam, which makes his veneration extra enthusiastic. Recognized around the world, he is a protector of seafarers and children. Consecrated in 1306, the port-city's Oude Kerk used St. Nicholas as its patron saint, too. The city's Catholic basilica is named St. Nicholas. (Kerk is the Dutch word for church, which is similar to kirk as the Scottish word for church).
Each year, Sinterklaas comes into the Netherlands on a steamboat during the first Saturday after November 11. His arrival in the capital is joyfully tumultuous. The countdown until his river/canal parade is available online.
After ceremoniously receiving the "key to the city" from the mayor, Sinterklaas rides on horseback via a lively parade through the capital to the royal palace.
He bestows gifts on the evening of December 5, and is aided by Zwarte Piet, a.k.a. “Black Pete”, who gets sooty from going down chimneys. During the festivities, many volunteers and helpers dress as Zwarte Piet.
It's tremendous fun, and people nibble on ginger spice cookies (including cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and white pepper), and chocolate letters representing their initials. Lewis and I love the fact that chocolatiers make sure everyone gets an equal amount of chocolate by varying the thickness of letters like "I" with "W". Fairness complements the spirit of the season!
The Dutch are fans of Advent Calendars, which I think are excellent suspense-builders and gift-giving conduits. Truly, this is a place that makes Christmas special for its citizens and visitors!
Similar to Oxford Street's "Switch On" in London, Amsterdam's Dam Square hosts "Turn the Lights On". 600,000 LED lights and spectacular fireworks adorn the grandest Dutch department store: De Bijenkorf (The Beehive). Founded in 1870, the retailer "kicks off" the holiday season. Thrillingly, it involves amazing talent! (better than overpaid singers lip-synching on American TV at Rockefeller Center).
On the other side of Dam Square is another majestic Christmas tree!
Christmastime is enjoyed enthusiastically by the Dutch. Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag) is a holiday. The day after is a holiday, too: Tweede Kerstdag. (It is known as Boxing Day in other countries).
The King makes a televised Kersttoespraak (Christmas Speech).
Preceding England by one year, the tradition began in 1931, when Queen Wilhelmina gave a royal Christmas message on the radio. It was broadcasted around the world. In 1932--ten years after it was first offered to him--the King of England began his annual Christmas speech.
In the Dutch governmental capital, King Willem-Alexander's workplace palace is festooned with decorations, and a large tree is bedecked with lights and ornaments.
Amsterdammers have a plethora of events and shopping. It is easy to find après-dinner entertainment.
The International Theatre (below) hosts spiffy events and offers cozy on-site dining.
The Royal Theatre Carré hosts an annual Christmas Circus.
Both concert halls are masterpieces with superb acoustics.
To see our recent experiences in Amsterdam, go here: https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2019/08/our-trip-to-netherlands-part-1-of.html
Enjoy these festive sights around the city! Schitteren en glinsteren (sparkle and glitter)!
Notice how many streets and alleyways are decked-out with lights!
The Central Train station is bedecked inside and out!
So are some riders on the Metro (which is as clean as always)
Unlike New York, there are plenty of fireplaces and fire pits in Amsterdam. (NY doesn't trust its populous with fire, and it makes it too expensive to maintain fireplaces).
Dutch culture enjoys the year-round glow of candlesticks. It makes things extra pretty and cozy.
Indoor public pools (like Zuiderbad at the Museumplein) have Christmas trees as decorations.
Part of Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs includes outdoor ice skating rinks, cross-country skiing, and curling.
Even their Transit Authority spreads cheer!
New Year's Eve (Oud en Nieuw) sparkles with momentous and boisterous fireworks in every corner of the city, starting from early evening until the wee hours past midnight.
Each New Year, André Rieu gives a concert in the city with his beautiful music and Stradivarius violin.
Most cities are gridlocked and incapacitated during New Year's Eve, but not Amsterdam. Watch this video to realize how easy it is to bike across the city--even on New Year's Eve! Cars are delayed (yet notice the lack of angry car horns), but bikes, pedestrians, and trams go easily. It's a longer video, but it tells you a lot about this metropolis!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MMpKnfT5oU
To welcome the new year, the Royal Family has a feast in the Amsterdam Palace.
Each New Year, André Rieu gives a concert in the city with his beautiful music and Stradivarius violin.
Most cities are gridlocked and incapacitated during New Year's Eve, but not Amsterdam. Watch this video to realize how easy it is to bike across the city--even on New Year's Eve! Cars are delayed (yet notice the lack of angry car horns), but bikes, pedestrians, and trams go easily. It's a longer video, but it tells you a lot about this metropolis!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MMpKnfT5oU
To welcome the new year, the Royal Family has a feast in the Amsterdam Palace.
After Epiphany, the city's fire brigade oversees a bonfire (of old Christmas trees) for the community to gather around: Kerstboomverbranding!
Donating trees is an age-old tradition.
Donating trees is an age-old tradition.
Speaking of illumination, since the 1920s, the Amsterdam Winter Light Festival involves designers to create challenging and innovative ways to add extra beauty. It's a clever idea and commences mid-December and into the wintertime. The 6-kilometer display is inventively amazing.
It ends around the time that the city celebrates Chinese Lunar New Year!
The best part is that the city keeps itself clean, through it all.
*Use this link to compare that to what overpriced New York City offers...
*To see our Christmasy experiences in Berlin, Germany, please use this link:
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