Amsterdam reveals its true festive beauty at the time of Christmas; because, Christmas brings the real season of festival and celebration there. The celebration of the Christmas has its own distinct appearance and tradition in Amsterdam.
The holiday for Christmas starts from 14th November in Amsterdam and this time the Sinterklaas arrives there with all of Black Peters. On the 5th December the kids of Amsterdam leave their boots beside the fire-place in the evening in hope of getting the boots filled with sweets and candies when they will awake from sleep the next morning;because, 5th December is the holy day of celebration dedicated to the Sint Nicholaas. The elders of the family celebrate this day by arranging a get together, presenting gifts and eating meals to a great extent.
Tourists who are accustomed with the Anglo-American Christmasget enough opportunity to have a lot of fun. Mainly the Dutch peoples arefond of family celebration of every festival. They love to spend more time with their family rather than going out. The tradition says Dutch people are used to execute all of their festivals and occasion by taking meal with family and sharing gifts with each other. But, yet many business organizations like pubs, parks, restaurants remain open this time for the non-Dutch people.
The Christmas Square is built at the Museumplein every year and a large market for shopping is also developed there too. Several types of craft products can be found there. An ice rink is also opened for amusement of the people in the evening. The streets are decorated with the brightly glowing trees and lights since the mid November. So, roaming in the Dam Square through the Leidseplein and the other neighboring places to Jordaan opens a chapter of divine beauty and joy. These places are heavily dense with unique shops and cafes. The place named ‘Red Light District’ is popular for having its own color of light for celebrating the Christmas and the amazing thing is, the lights are never shut down.
Seasonal concerts also take place on the day and evening of the Christmas in several churches of the Amsterdam. Museums are also remained open for the public this day. Among the famous museums Anna Frank Huis, the photography gallery FOAM, the Rijksmuseum and the Torture Museum are mentionable that remains open on Christmas for a short period. Among other attractive places Madame Tussaud’s museum and Artis Zoo are remarkable to pay a visit and these places are open all time through the year. These places are too amazing for visiting with family.
When the topic of cinemas comes that can be enjoyed on the Christmas Day, the name of the Pathé Tuschinski comes first. The Wizard of Oz is a perfect and interesting movie to enjoy on the Christmas Day. Special classical Christmas concerts organized by the Concertgebouw can be another point of charm on Christmas. The Concertgebouw arranges the concerts on the 24th, 25th and 26th December for the people of Amsterdam to celebrate the Christmas with great joy and pleasure. Thus, the whole Amsterdam appears with a new festive look on its main festival of the Christmas Day.