An Evening Of Lights

Thousands of people joined Gemeente Delft in shedding light on the dark days of winter. The 15th annual tree lighting ceremony took place at Lichtjesavond in the center of Delft. Festivities kicked off in the late afternoon with a free carnival for children at the Doelenplein, an outdoor café at Zuidpoort and hundreds of tables and stands spread out across the city center.

Visitors were invited to enjoy all of the beauty of a traditional European Christmas market. You could tour through the stands of handmade arts and crafts while looking for a unique gift. You could sample gluhwein and warm up with fresh, hot poffertjes. Or you could escape the cold altogether and enjoy dinner in one of Delft’s many restaurants.

Most people chose to wander around and take in the sights and sounds. Merry bands of carolers entertained along the canals. Some were even costumed to look as though they had just stepped out of a Dickens novel.

As the clock ticked closer to the magic hour of 19:00, everyone made their way towards the Markt square. Musicians entertained from a large stage in front of the Nieuwe Kerk as people lined up to see the lighting of the Christmas tree. The master of ceremonies called for everyone’s attention and following a New Year’s style countdown, the huge tree in the center of the square blazed in a sea of twinkling lights.

The tree is a sixteen meter tall Nordmann and will be there until the end of the year. Nick Keijzer from the Marketing and Communications Department at the Bureau Binnenstad Delft explained, “It [the tree] symbolises the special Christmas thought.” The tree stands through the holidays as a reminder to think and care about other people and to let actions speak louder than words.

Lichtjesavond does not mark the end of the Donkere Dagen festivities in Delft. You can continue to ice-skate at the Beestenmarkt, benefit from longer shopping hours, listen to a kerstconcert or take a special winter city tour through the end of the month.