Page 79 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Amsterdam

Festivals and Events ❮❮ 77

contests on Elandsgracht, with
concerts, street parties and fairs – TOP 10 SPECTATOR SPORTS
like the one devoted to food in
Noordermarkt (see p96).
Sinterklaas’ Parade
8
2nd or 3rd Sat in Nov
The Christmas festivities start
early here. St Nicholas, the
Dutch Santa Claus, arrives near
St Nicholaaskerk by boat from
Spain with his mischievous helpers. Dam tot Damloop run
Together they throw sweets and
pepernoten (cinnamon-flavoured 1 Football
biscuits) to the crowds. Amsterdam ArenA, Bijlmer
See Ajax at their remark able 50,000-
Vondelpark
9 seater stadium (Aug–Dec, Feb–May).
2 Cycling
Openluchttheater
Jun–Aug • www.openluchttheater.nl Dam tot Dam Fiets Classic
Road circuit begins and ends at
Each summer, Vondelpark’s open-air Dam Square (Sep).
theatre, located in the heart of the
park, plays host to a series of free 3 Rugby
concerts and performances, Bok de Korverweg 6
AAC Rugby Club caters for all ages
including dance, music (of all (Apr–Jun).
genres), children’s theatre and
comedy (see p125). 4 Korfbal
Sportpark Joos Banckersweg
A cross between netball and
basketball. Blauw Wit is the club to
watch (Sep–Jun).
5 Hockey
Nieuwe Kalfjeslaan 19, Amstelveen
Amsterdamsche Hockey & Bandy Club
are the ones to watch (Sep–May).
6 Ice Hockey
Sporthal Jaap Edenhal,
Radioweg 64
The city supports the popular Amstel
Tigers (Oct–late Mar).
7 Skating
Amsterdam Friday Night Skate (if roads
are dry), Vondelpark at 8:30pm, for
skilled skaters only (see p125).
8 Running
Olympisch Stadion Stadionplein
Koningsdag celebrations Popular runs are the Dam tot Damloop
and Amsterdam Marathon (Sep–Oct).
Koningsdag
0 9 Rowing
27 Apr (if Sun, 26 Apr)
Popular among the numerous
On King’s Day – Willem-Alexander’s competitions is the Head of the Amstel
birthday – the whole city becomes a River race (late Mar).
gigantic street party. The locals sell 10 Show-Jumping
bric-a-brac on the streets, public Amsterdam RAI, Europaplein
stages are set up all around the city, Jumping Amsterdam is a series of
and people dressed in orange throng international indoor competitions
the streets. Music blares all day and (Jan–Feb).
the party goes on till dawn.

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