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Winter at the Open Air Museum

Experience the winters of days gone by at the Netherlands Open Air Museum. Tobogganing and skating, stew and green beans, early to bed with a woollen vest and a hot water bottle at your feet. Warm yourself up with winter stories and share your experiences. For a period of six weeks – from 5 December 2009 to 17 January 2010 – we will be taking a step back in time. Young and old alike will enjoy skating on the festively lit skating rink, not to mention the refreshments and convivial atmosphere. And, on the toboggan run at the Delft windmill, you can relive the legendary downhill descents of your memories!

There’s a pot of stew on the stove in the farmhouse from Varik and the farmer's wife will tell you all about a festive meal that includes 'spekkedikken' (a traditional New Year's recipe from Groningen), pig’s trotters and stockfish with mustard sauce. Let’s not forget, however, that winters in years gone by were very long, food was scarce and the stack of peat would grow ever smaller. Only the wealthy enjoyed the taste of a plentiful Christmas or New Year’s meal.

Stories by the fireside kept away the cold on long winter evenings. Outside it was bitterly cold, pitch-dark and the shutters in front of the windows were tightly closed (very different from the brightly lit houses and streets that we are used to in winter today). In years gone by beggars walked the streets from door to door and the night belonged to crooks who were up to no good.

The museum restaurants serve delicious pancakes and hearty winter fare and the museum park is open until 7 p.m., so why not join us for a bite to eat! Children can bake a bread roll over a crackling fire in the children’s activity farmyard. On the Zaan square you will find a convivial, traditional winter market, and every weekend and in the holidays you can enjoy music and song in the little Zeeland church. Experience winter at the Netherlands Open Air Museum!

Winter at the Open Air Museum
Opening times: 5 December 2009 to 17 January 2010 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.!
Exceptions: On 5, 24 and 31 December the park will close at 5 p.m.
The museum will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Entry price: Adults € 14.00, Children 4 to 12 years € 9.80. Skate hire: free.

Date: 01 2009