Discover the Magic: Top 10 Fun Facts About Christmas in the Netherlands

1. Sinterklaas Steamboat Arrival

Who needs a sleigh when you've got a steamboat? Klaas-y does it in the Netherlands: Sinterklaas makes his grand entrance on December 5th aboard a steam-powered vessel, accompanied by his sidekick Zwarte Piet. Dutch kiddos leave their shoes out on Saint Nicholas Eve, stuffed with carrots or hay for Sinterklaas' horse, and wake up to presents in their clogs on "Sinterklaasavond" or Pakjesavond. Step aside, Santa – Amsterdam's captain of Christmas takes holiday swag to a whole new level!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Delicious Kerststol Christmas Loaf

In a festive twist that makes you wonder if Santa's sleigh runs on almond power and raisin-woven dreams, the Dutch have a scrumptious holiday tradition that could give fruitcake a run for its money: Kerststol, or Paasbrood, is a delectable Christmas loaf packed with raisins and almond paste, reigning as a must-have dish for any genuine Dutch Yuletide feast.
Source => viatravelers.com

Did you know that Australians swap snowmen for sandcastles during their Christmas celebrations? With sunny beaches, BBQs, and a surfing Santa, the holiday season Down Under is a unique and warm experience! 🏄‍♂️🎄🇦🇺

=> Fun Facts about Christmas-Around-The-World

3. Single-Shoe Gift Tradition

You've heard of leaving cookies out for Santa, but have you heard about the Dutch single-shoe soiree? Who needs a party when shoes are the life of it: In the Netherlands, kids leave one shoe by the fireplace or radiator on Saint Nicholas' Eve (December 5th), and wake up to find it filled with small presents and sweets, all thanks to a centuries-old tradition inspired by a legend of Saint Nicholas secretly filling the shoes of three poor sisters with gold coins.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Edible Kerstkransjes Tree Decorations

Santa's sneaky elves have nothing on Netherland's mischievous children and hungry pets, who stealthily gobble up tree decorations that are just asking to be devoured: These mouth-watering munchies are known as Kerstkransjes, delightful wreath-shaped cookies that adorn Dutch Christmas trees, coming in a gamut of flavors like chocolate and almond, and garnished with sugar - ensuring their status as both an ornamental treat and a tasty temptation that warrants keeping a secret stash!
Source => thedutchtable.com

5. Mini-Chef Gourmetten Tradition

Talk about a Dutch treat: In the Netherlands, families gather 'round tabletop stoves to cook their own meats, fish, and veggies with raclette pans as if everyone's a mini-chef on their own cooking show. This sizzling situation, known as gourmetten, actually traces its origins back to the 70s, when the Dutch Meat Office cooked up an advertising campaign to get folks to eat more meat - now it's a cozy staple of Dutch Christmas celebrations, proving that good things truly come in small and deliciously grilled packages.
Source => iamexpat.nl

6. New Year's Day Polar Plunge

Feeling like Jack Frost nipping at your nose, but with a bonus hangover to boot after New Year's Eve? Fear not, the Dutch have the ultimate cure for you: On New Year's Day, frostbitten folks in the Netherlands partake in the annual "Nieuwjaarsduik" tradition, plunging into the icy North Sea with nothing but bikinis, swimming trunks, and warm wooly hats. The seaside town of Scheveningen hosts the main event where brave souls dive into the frigid waters to welcome the new year with a truly invigorating experience.
Source => accidentallydutch.com

7. Midwinter Tree-Trunk Horns

Who needs trumpets from angels when you've got wooden horns blasted from the very trees?: In the Netherlands, the midwinter horn tradition sees folks carve elaborate tree trunk trumpets during the Christmas season, sounding them off one after the other in villages and town neighborhoods from Advent to Epiphany. This quirky custom dates back to Yule and medieval nativity plays and is now a national heritage tradition, summoning more than just holiday cheer by keeping pesky evil spirits at bay!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Sinterklaas Celebration and Dickens Festival

In the land of windmills, wooden shoes, and tasty artisan cheeses, they've got a Saint who cooks up a winter fiesta like no other: Christmas in the Netherlands brings the delightful tradition of Sinterklaas on December 5th, where children get showered with gifts and merry tunes flood the streets, all leading to the magical Dickens Festival in Deventer from December 14th-15th, where over 950 characters from Dickens' literary masterpieces transform the city into a 19th-century wonderland.
Source => amexessentials.com

9. Maastricht Vrijthof Christmas Extravaganza

Grab your ice skates and indulge in a Monopoly-style transformation because Maastricht Vrijthof has got it all, from Boardwalk to Park Place: This annual Dutch Christmas event features a massive indoor ice rink, nostalgic rides, a traditional market, a regional product square flaunting 150+ local culinary producers, street curling rinks, a tube glide, and a 45-meter high Ferris wheel with stunning city views.
Source => magischmaastrichtvrijthof.nl

10. Gouda's Candlelit Norwegian Christmas Tree

When the good people of Gouda sing "O Christmas Tree," they aren't just waxing poetic about their famous cheese: In the Netherlands, the city of Gouda holds an annual "Gouda by Candlelight" festival, where they light up a Christmas tree gifted by their sister city in Norway, Kongsberg. The historic Town Hall and surrounding buildings get in on the fun, with over 1,500 candles adding to the spectacle, while a Winter Fair, walks, concerts, and various performances keep the holiday spirit aglow in this time-honored tradition.
Source => welcometogouda.com