New Year's Eve in the Netherlands (Oudejaarsavond)

New Year's Eve in the Netherlands, known as "Oudejaarsavond" (Old Year's Evening), is celebrated on December 31st as the last day of the year on the Gregorian calendar. It is a time of festivity and looking forward to the new year ahead.

History and Traditions

• Oliebollen: One of the most enduring traditions is eating "oliebollen," a type of Dutch doughnut dusted with powdered sugar. These treats are believed to have been eaten during Yule, the pagan winter festival, and were later adopted into New Year celebrations.
• Fireworks: The Dutch traditionally set off fireworks to ward off evil spirits and celebrate the coming of the New Year. However, due to safety concerns and environmental issues, there have been restrictions and even bans on private fireworks in recent years.
• Top 2000: A popular radio event is the broadcast of "Top 2000," a countdown of the 2000 greatest hits as voted by listeners, which starts on Boxing Day and culminates on New Year's Eve.
• New Year's Dives: Although technically occurring on New Year's Day, it's worth mentioning that many people participate in "Nieuwjaarsduik" (New Year's dives) into cold waters, often sponsored for charity.

Modern Celebrations

• Parties: People typically celebrate with friends and family at house parties or attend public events and gatherings.
• Television Specials: Watching television specials or countdown shows is also a common practice.
• Champagne Toasts: At midnight, there are champagne toasts and well-wishes for the new year.
• Street Festivities: In non-pandemic times, large street parties occur in major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague.

Celebrations often continue into the early hours of January 1st. While traditions may vary slightly from region to region within the Netherlands, they all share a common theme: bidding farewell to the old year while welcoming what lies ahead.