Page 40 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

38  INTRODUCING THE NE THERLANDS

The Nijmegen Fair, a popular tradition dating back centuries
Vliegerfeest (Kite Festival) 3 October 1574. Permanent
Autumn (mid-Sep), Scheveningen. fixtures in the festivities are
As the cold weather starts For two days, hundreds of the distribution of herring
slowly but surely to set in, strange creations hover over and white bread to the
indoor events become more the beach. townspeople, as well as the
prominent. In autumn, the Jordaanfestival (second and procession and funfair.
theatres are full in the third weeks in Sep), Amsterdam. Eurospoor (mid-to late Oct),
evenings, and museums are Fairs, street parties, talent Utrecht. Europe’s biggest
routinely busy. However, contests and live music are model train show takes
open-air events are still held, held in the southern part of the place in the Jaarbeurs.
the golden light of dusk and picturesque former working-
magnificent clouds adding class district of Jordaan.
to the atmosphere. Prinsjesdag (third Tue in Sep),
The Hague. Accompanied
September by high-ranking government
Monumentendag (Monument officials and with a guard
Day) (second Sat in Sep). of honour, the king rides in
Private historic buildings his golden carriage from
open to the public. Noordeinde Palace to the
Fruitcorso (second weekend Binnenhof (Parliament
in Sep), Tiel. Spectacular Building), where he makes
parade of floats with his Royal Speech in the
gigantic fruit sculptures. Ridderzaal (Hall of the
Knights) in order to open
the Dutch Parliament.
Nijmeegse kermis (Nijmegen
fair) (end Sep/early Oct). Held
every year since the 13th
century, the fair stretches Soldiers accompanying the King before he
ribbon-like through the centre makes his Royal Speech in the Ridderzaal
of the city. On Mondays and
Tuesdays are the “piekdagen”, November
when children can visit the Sint-Maarten (11 Nov), Western
attractions for the entrance and Northern Netherlands.
fee of 50 cents. In the early evening, children
equipped with lanterns walk
October from door to door, singing
3-Oktoberfeesten, Leiden. songs, for which they are
A large public festival to given sweets.
An elaborate fruit sculpture at the commemorate the relief Intocht van Sinterklaas
Tiel Fruitcorso of Leiden from its siege on (arrival of St Nicholas)

038-039_EW_Netherlands.indd 38 16/01/17 12:02 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Seasonal template V2 (OpenType) “UK” LAYER
Date 10th November 2006
Size 125mm x 217mm