We are already into the second month of 2012.  The time seems to speed by.  So, what can you expect in the Netherlands for the month of February?  Here are some of the highlights:

• Friesland – Now that the temperatures have finally dropped and winter appears to truly have arrived, the province of Friesland is pulling on their skates and preparing for the possibility of an elfstedentocht (11 cities tour).  Do you think it will happen?
• They’ll be swapping skates for funny costumes in Noord Brabant and Limburg where February means carnival season.
• The Studentenkamer Festival has student rooms being transformed into small theatres for music, dance, theatre, cabaret, poetry and film.
• The Holland Flower Festival will be taking place from February 22 to February 26^th.  You’ll be able to get your flower fill out the largest under-cover (as in protected from the elements rather than a secret event) floral gardens in the Netherlands.  This year’s theme focuses on India.
• The International Film Festival Rotterdam is running for a few more days, until February 5^th.  As the website explains, “The International Film Festival Rotterdam offers you a great opportunity to enjoy the work of talented film makers of the future. The real film lovers can even mingle and chat with the representatives of the film industry.”
• From the 9^th of February until the 12^th you can visit the International Art Fair of the Netherlands. “Emerging talents and the latest developments in visual art gather at Rotterdam’s international art fair: Art Rotterdam. Seventy international galleries, selected on the basis of quality and originality, present their most talented artists to you.” – ART website
• Last but not least, there is one for the tennis fans amongst the group.  February 13^th through to the 19^th is the annual ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament at Ahoy in Rotterdam.  The tournament is one of the world’s biggest indoor tennis tournaments and attracts thousands of fans each year.

What will you be doing in February?