Discover Benelux |  Special Theme |  Christmas

All I want for Christmas is... Amsterdam TEXT: HELEN CULLEN  |  MAIN PHOTO: JANUS VAN DEN EIJNDEN

Amsterdam offers an eclectic events calendar this December with something special for every visitor. The village atmosphere of the city fully embraces the magical spirit of the sparkling season with winter festivals, classical concerts, Christmas markets and ice skating – even the Christmas circus comes to town! Amsterdam Light Festival Until 18 January The theme for the third edition of the winter light festival is ‘A Bright City’. For more than fifty days, stunning light sculptures, projections and installations created by international artists will illuminate the historical city. The boat route, Water Colours, will take visitors past artworks along Amsterdam’s waterways whilst the walking route, Illuminade, winds through the city centre. www.amsterdamlightfestival.com World Christmas Circus Royal Theatre Carré 18 December - 3 January Embrace a time-honoured Amsterdam tradition and run away with the circus this Christmas. Carré’s annual extravaganza

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celebrates being the most successful Christmas Circus for almost thirty years; nearly half a million visitors have attended more than a thousand spectacular performances. www.carre.nl Paradiso’s Christmas matinee 26 December The internationally renowned Paradiso Orchestra will perform classical Christmas compositions within the remarkable architecture of the Paradiso. Offering a celebratory programme that includes Christmas stories and poems narrated by literary legends, the matinee is an inspirational way to gently close the festive season. www.paradiso.nl Winterparade The Zuiderkerk 19, 20 and 22 - 28 December The Winterparade is an adaptation of Parade, the touring theatre festival that travels through the Netherlands each summer. The audience of 500 people will be seated at a giant 120 metres long table to indulge in a Christmas feast and enjoy a wild mix of Dutch

performances that incorporate theatre, dance, poetry, art, music and interactive fun. www.tafelvandeidee.nl Christmas markets and ice skating Situated on the picturesque Beursplein and in the neighbouring Damrak, the traditional Winter Market Amsterdam is the perfect spot for Christmas shopping. Amsterdam’s famous Sunday markets also enjoy seasonal makeovers to become the Funky Sinterklaas Market (30 November) and the Funky Xmas Market (14 December). For extra special stocking fillers, Pure Winter Market on 14 December (Amstelpark) and 21 December (Park Frankendael) will offer a multitude of organic produce and sustainable goods. For the perfect finish to your shopping day, the Jaap Edenbaan ice skating rink or the smaller, but very picturesque, rinks at Museumplein offer more festive fun for the whole family. For more festivities and events across the Benelux, please turn to page 92 for our Out & About calendar.