The period before Christmas; some people love it, some people tempt to get a bit melancholic, and some people stress the hell out of themselves buying the perfect presents for everyone. And each year from a certain date, everything is covered and decorated with lights, mulled wine becomes THE drink, ice-skating is not only for pro’s and going to a market with stuff only your grandma likes is a ‘cool’ thing to do. Oh and don’t forget the Dutch treat: ‘Oliebollen’ – fried dough balls with powdered sugar.

In Amsterdam though, they manage to keep things (sort of) in balance. It’s not THAT hysterical, with a whole city turned into one big winter parade. But if you want it, you can get it.

So if you want it, where can you get it? Well, here!

-Every year in mid-to-late December, the pool on Amsterdam’s Museumplein (around the corner of the Flying Pig Uptown) becomes an ice-skating rink, surrounded by stalls selling hot chocolate and poffertjes (tiny traditional Dutch pancakes). So after you did your cultural ‘Van Gogh’ thing, hang out here for a while.

Photo © Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions

-Ice Skating Rink on Amsterdam’s famous Leidseplein (5 minutes walk from the Flying Pig Uptown). Skate in the neon glow of party-heaven Leidseplein beginning mid-November. Of course they sell poffertjes and other winter treats there too.

-The Winterparade at Westerpark (23-26 December). The park itself is a great cultural place you should visit anyways.

Oh and by the way, just strolling down the streets will do the trick as well; the canals are beautiful with all bridges covered in lights, and the shopping streets and squares seem to have a competition going on who’s got the best decoration, most of them very subtle and charming. Not so subtle but not to miss: the massive Christmas tree on Dam square.