This Tuesday is Lichtjesavond, the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in Delft.
Translated as the Lights (Lichtjes) Evening (Avond), the event is held on the second Tuesday in December and is a symbolic way of giving light to the people in the Donkere Dagen van Delft, or the so-called Dark Days of Delft.&
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On the evening of December 10 2013, Delft will welcome 50,000 people to celebrate the evening. A choir, the Ars Vocalis, will welcome guests into Delft at the train station from 17.00 to 18.00. All the city’s churches will be open and their own choirs will be performing.
The main event, the lighting ceremony, as usual, is being kept secret until its unveiling at 19.00, which will take place in the Markt square where the city hall faces the Nieuwe Kerk.
Throughout the day stalls are set up around the city, selling everything from food to antiques. In the evening, you can get Glühwein,a spiced mulled wine will be available. You can also get other traditional foods such as poffertjes (small pancakes) and erwtensoep (split pea soup.)
Delft is one of a few Dutch cities that hold this tradition. The most famous is probably the Kaarsjesavond (Candle Evening) in Gouda, where the Christmas tree lit is gifted each year from its sister city in Norway. There are also events in Bergen, Ravenstein and Huissen, and each city has its own version of this ritual.
So what makes Delft’s so special? There have been some monumental and hugely memorable Lichtjesavond events. In 2011 there was an angel who zip-lined across the square toward the huge tree and lit it with her wand. In addition, the dramatic and vocal performances are always stellar, drawing talent from across the country.
The festivities don’t end with the lighting of the tree. The shops will stay open until 21:00 that evening and the city will have other extra shopping evenings through New Year’s. You can see a full schedule on their website.
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