Tag Archives: New Year’s Eve
How the Dutch Dip Into the New Year under COVID Rules Posted by Sten on Jan 11, 2021
Everybody starts the new year differently. A common way for the Dutch is the nieuwjaarsduik (New Year’s Dip). Dutch maniacs (that’s what I call them) all over the country dip into freezing January water in nothing but their swimwear. And, at least at the largest event, an orange unoxmutsje (Unox hat). With the sausage maker’s sponsorship, the…
This Dutch Invention Revolutionized NYE Posted by Sten on Dec 31, 2020
It’s the last day of the year! On this day, we play games, reminisce about the past year, and have a drink at midnight. Perhaps there are some vuurwerk (fireworks) or you partake in some other tradition, like the German Bleigießen (“lead pouring”). The Dutch have a greasy, sweet tradition that is indispensable – oliebollen (“oil balls”) and appelflappen (“apple flaps”, apple…
The Music Top 2000 – A New Dutch Tradition Posted by Sten on Dec 30, 2019
Every year again in December, it is time for the Top 2000. If you’re Dutch, that should ring a bell! For days on end, the best nummers (tracks) are played on NPO Radio 2. And millions of people tune in to this lijst der lijsten (list of the lists) every year. How does the list work? The first week…
Dutch President Rutte Is In Trouble Again Posted by Sten on Jan 14, 2019
Like with the discussion about zwarte pieten (Black Petes), the Dutch have a discussion about the need and safety of vuurwerk (fireworks) at the end of every year. A problem that most people agree on, however, is that hulpverleners (aid workers) should be left in peace to do their work during the dangerous night that carries us into the new year…
5 Things You Didn’t Know About NYE In The Netherlands Posted by Sten on Dec 28, 2015
We all know the Netherlands, we all know New Year’s Eve. But what happens in the Netherlands on the 31st of December, and in the night that follows? Do you know? Here are the 5 things you should know about NYE in the Netherlands! 1. Vuurwerk. Everywhere! The most popular and striking feature of NYE in…