New Year’s eve in Holland

 

The grand finale of Holland’s December celebrations is New Year’s Eve. Many concerts and parties are organised throughout the country. However before midnight, the Dutch mostly celebrate New Year at home with family and friends. After 12 o’clock the real party begins with champagne, oliebollen (sweet traditional pastries) and impressive firework displays.

The Dutch traditionally celebrate the beginning of New Year with great firework displays. This breathtaking spectacle can be seen everywhere in Holland as soon as the clock strikes midnight. They are inextricably linked with New Year’s Eve and you will find half the population standing outside to send up firecrackers, jumping jacks, squibs and whiz-bangs! Pubs and clubs are open until very early in the morning (often 6 am).

Dutch tradition
The Dutch tradition of firework displays derives from the 19th century, when the Dutch soldiers that served in the East Indies brought the Chinese fireworks back with them to Holland. Letting off fireworks became very popular after World War II. The story goes that some local Amsterdam people even stored a small canon in their lofts, which they used to set off fireworks.