Folia has Fomo | The best things to do during the winter days
No plans for the Christmas holidays yet? Stressed by all the options in Amsterdam? Then check our culture column Folia has Fomo for the last time. From culinary Christmas films to parties on New Year’s Eve!
Huisbaas| Free | Club Maïa | 21 December
For some students, Thursday nights are no longer student nights. Due to high rents and inflation, they do not have the financial space to go to parties. That’s why social enterprise Music Moves, in collaboration with Club Maïa on Leidseplein, is offering a free ticket if you use the voucher code “UVA-SV”. So if you would like to go out again or just give some rounds (for 2.50 per drink) to students who are struggling, you can have a real student night on Thursdays every month starting this week.
Free Willy | Free entrance| Amstel 178
The average Dutchman who hears ‘’Ey mate, going to the billiards tonight?’’ will not expect to end up in a bar with naked men. That is different in Amsterdam, at the newly opened nudist queer bar Free Willy, with pool table. There, queer people, with or without clothes, can go to have a good conversation without “the loud disco music of a bar like Club Church” and warm their winter bottoms in the bar stool.
Greenhouse Mourning & Celebrating | Free | Mercatorplein | 20-28 December
The dark days are not as easy for everyone. That’s why a greenhouse on Mercator Square offers space for mourning. Whatever your religion, anyone can light a candle for someone you miss. In the trees surrounding the greenhouse, you can also hang up a ribbon with your gratitude written on it. In this way, we lighten the dark days together.
Feliz Navidad | 22,50 | Waalse Kerk | 26 December
At the Waalse Kerk, warm up to the Apollo Ensemble’s cantatas from the Spanish Christmas tradition, from Baroque to the 20th century. More cheerful than Johann Sebastian Bach, less hysterical than Mariah Carey. Still getting too hot from the Spanish party? The Xtra Cold Icebar (see below) will cool you down again.
Xtra Cold Icebar Experience | 24.50 | Amstel 194
Shivering endlessly? Playing tourist in your own city? No, this is not about the Amsterdam Dungeon, but about the Icebar on Rembrandtplein. It is -10 degrees and the walls fill with beautiful ice sculptures and English tourists. At this bar, you get three free drinks with your ticket, which you can then shamelessly enjoy. Mind you, this bar is “Xtra Cold”, so wear trousers over your knees.
Winterparade | 6,- entrance | Tolhuistuin | 22-30 December
The touring theatre De Parade is back in the Tolhuistuin, Noord. In the warm circus, various artists, from great to emerging, perform short plays. From Ellen ten Damme as a rock star in Versailles (Mini-Barock) to Turkish Ferhat Kaplans’ journey through his Alevism (a Turkish-Islamic religious movement). The venue is open until 11pm. There will be special beer and red wine, so bring all your theatre friends!
Film tip Pot-au-feu | 11.50 | Cineville
In the mood for a delicious French film to drool away at this winter? Then go see Le Pot-au-feu, a film with Michelin stars. Nineteenth-century lord Dodin and Eugénie, his chef and the woman of his dreams, prepare the most delicious Christmas dishes in their chateau for wealthy guests. Director Trần Anh Hùng certainly does not make a mess of it in this romantic anthology of French cuisine.
New Year’s Eve Swing & Blues Party | Pay what you can | KZ-Kompaszaal | 31 December
Swinging into the new year? That’s possible on KNSM Island in the cultural hotspot Kompaszaal with the Lucky Losers Jazz Band. In the swing room, various bands and DJs from dance school Swing Philosophy will play their jazzy tunes. Tired of all that dancing? In the other room, you can start January with the blues of The Blues Joint.
Arabian Flavour NYE | From 10,- | TheShadow | 31 December
Arabian tones, dresses and dancers fill TheShadow’s venue. Join in the rousing “Dabke” dance, where, kneeling, you throw your legs forward one by one. Listen and watch Arabic music and performances. From 24.00 onwards, dance with DJs and there will be no room to not move. Celebrate until your wrists can no longer twist, you can no longer watch a spinning dress and henna is the only colour you can still see.
Jungle Ball | From 22.50 | De Tulp | 31 December |.
Don’t fancy all those alternative, classical and cultural events at all and just want to drink bubbles with beautiful people? Then the Jungle Ball, with possible dinner (approx. 32 euro) and guaranteed party with DJs, at De Tulp in de Pijp is for you. The bar on Marie Heinekenplein, a tropical paradise with exotic plants and wooden furniture, fills up with dolled-up partygoers on New Year’s Eve. According to the organisers, “the place where Amsterdam’s best vibes come together.”
