For the foreign students who will spend the Christmas holiday here, there are lots of enjoyable things to do in Delft and beyond, you just need to know where to go. The following tips will surely inject your holidays with some of that famous Dutch ‘gezelligheid’.
Delen
Your friends all have the sniffles, it hasn’t stopped raining for days, daylight comes and goes in the blink of an eye…yes, Dutch winter is here! But fret not, there are many entertaining things to do, starting right here in Delft.
The Beestenmarkt now has a skating rink in its center. For those who’ve never skated on ice before, here’s your chance to try. For the less adventurous, it’s also fun just to watch from the side, as the others slip and fall about on the ice. The Beestenmarkt cafe, Kopus Kuch, is famous for its delicious apple cake. Try a piece with a cup of caramel coffee, another Kopus specialty.
Delft is a quaint and quiet city on the surface, but there will be plenty of parties over the Christmas holiday, you just need to know where to find them. Many parties are organized by student houses and student societies, although some aren’t open to non-members. So, where do you go to dance and drink the night away with friends on any given night? Well, many students would answer: Rotterdam! But Delft does have some hot spots.
Speakers, on the Burgwal, is especially good on Thursday night’s ‘Student Night’. Salsa night is on Sundays. Upcoming Speakers’ events in December include, a gig by cover band Doggy Bag (Dec. 22 – €6), Eighties Dance Night Christmas Edition Dec. 23 – €7) and the New Year’ Eve Gala (Dec. 31) – €17,50).
Lorre, on the Phoenixstraat, is another popular dancing venue. This student disco has recently been renovated and upgraded, so now you get the best of both worlds: ambience and cheap beer. Coming up this month at Lorre: International Students Night (Dec. 17), Thursday Dance Night (Dec. 22), and Lorre XL (New Year’s Eve Party on Dec. 31). Tickets cost €1.50 with your student ID.
For a bit of culture in the holidays, Theater de Veste is offering Delta readers discounts on tickets to the show, ‘Douar’, performed by the dance group Compagnie Accrorap. The show is a mix of rap, hip-hop and acrobatics, performed by dancers from France and Algeria. Normal ticket price is €17, but reduced to €12.50, if you show this article at the box office.
A walk through Delft center is a great way to see the festive lights and feel the holiday vibe. But don’t forget to taste some Olieballen, which are sold at stands around town. This traditional Dutch treat is a lump of deep-fried dough, covered with powdered sugar . like a doughnut without the hole.
Beyond Delft
On December 18 and December 25, there will be fireworks displays at the pier in Scheveningen. And on New Year’s Day, many brave or crazy souls head to Scheveningen beach for the annual swim in the sea. This event is called the ‘New Year’s Dunk’ and thousands of people take part. So, here’s your chance to jump into the icy waters of the North Sea, wearing only a bathing suit! Everyone is free to join in, as the sea is free (ignore any requests for a registration fee!). The event happens at noon on January 1.
Also in Den Haag, the ‘Great Christmas Circus’ brings together world-famous performers under one roof, including magician Hans Kazan; contortionist Rodion Gyrgenov, who will fold himself into a 50 centimeter cube; and legendary clown Oleg Popov, who will celebrating his 50-year anniversary of clownery. The circus is every day from December 21 to January 8, on Den Haag’s Malieveld.
As part of the city’s Winter Festival, Rotterdam is hosting a ‘Christmas Wonderland’ from December 16 to 24, which includes a Christmas market and an array of other festive activities. The events are centered around the Stadhuis (city hall) and Coolsingel, both within walking distance of Rotterdam Central Station.
Your friends all have the sniffles, it hasn’t stopped raining for days, daylight comes and goes in the blink of an eye…yes, Dutch winter is here! But fret not, there are many entertaining things to do, starting right here in Delft.
The Beestenmarkt now has a skating rink in its center. For those who’ve never skated on ice before, here’s your chance to try. For the less adventurous, it’s also fun just to watch from the side, as the others slip and fall about on the ice. The Beestenmarkt cafe, Kopus Kuch, is famous for its delicious apple cake. Try a piece with a cup of caramel coffee, another Kopus specialty.
Delft is a quaint and quiet city on the surface, but there will be plenty of parties over the Christmas holiday, you just need to know where to find them. Many parties are organized by student houses and student societies, although some aren’t open to non-members. So, where do you go to dance and drink the night away with friends on any given night? Well, many students would answer: Rotterdam! But Delft does have some hot spots.
Speakers, on the Burgwal, is especially good on Thursday night’s ‘Student Night’. Salsa night is on Sundays. Upcoming Speakers’ events in December include, a gig by cover band Doggy Bag (Dec. 22 – €6), Eighties Dance Night Christmas Edition Dec. 23 – €7) and the New Year’ Eve Gala (Dec. 31) – €17,50).
Lorre, on the Phoenixstraat, is another popular dancing venue. This student disco has recently been renovated and upgraded, so now you get the best of both worlds: ambience and cheap beer. Coming up this month at Lorre: International Students Night (Dec. 17), Thursday Dance Night (Dec. 22), and Lorre XL (New Year’s Eve Party on Dec. 31). Tickets cost €1.50 with your student ID.
For a bit of culture in the holidays, Theater de Veste is offering Delta readers discounts on tickets to the show, ‘Douar’, performed by the dance group Compagnie Accrorap. The show is a mix of rap, hip-hop and acrobatics, performed by dancers from France and Algeria. Normal ticket price is €17, but reduced to €12.50, if you show this article at the box office.
A walk through Delft center is a great way to see the festive lights and feel the holiday vibe. But don’t forget to taste some Olieballen, which are sold at stands around town. This traditional Dutch treat is a lump of deep-fried dough, covered with powdered sugar . like a doughnut without the hole.
Beyond Delft
On December 18 and December 25, there will be fireworks displays at the pier in Scheveningen. And on New Year’s Day, many brave or crazy souls head to Scheveningen beach for the annual swim in the sea. This event is called the ‘New Year’s Dunk’ and thousands of people take part. So, here’s your chance to jump into the icy waters of the North Sea, wearing only a bathing suit! Everyone is free to join in, as the sea is free (ignore any requests for a registration fee!). The event happens at noon on January 1.
Also in Den Haag, the ‘Great Christmas Circus’ brings together world-famous performers under one roof, including magician Hans Kazan; contortionist Rodion Gyrgenov, who will fold himself into a 50 centimeter cube; and legendary clown Oleg Popov, who will celebrating his 50-year anniversary of clownery. The circus is every day from December 21 to January 8, on Den Haag’s Malieveld.
As part of the city’s Winter Festival, Rotterdam is hosting a ‘Christmas Wonderland’ from December 16 to 24, which includes a Christmas market and an array of other festive activities. The events are centered around the Stadhuis (city hall) and Coolsingel, both within walking distance of Rotterdam Central Station.
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