New Year’s Traditions in the Netherlands and Belgium
Source: pexels.com
Every single country and most individual families have their own New Year’s traditions. In the Netherlands and Belgium some of these traditions are quite similar to other countries, , while some are quite peculiar to the outside world, like the tradition of eating ‘oliebollen’. In this article we will go into both New Year’s traditions that are enjoyed both in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Oliebollen
Oliebollen are an incredibly popular New Year’s treat that is enjoyed throughout the country. These sweet fried treats also have a ‘slightly healthier’ apple-filled little sister called ‘appelflappen/appelbeignet’. There are plenty of stalls sprinkled around cities and villages that make and sell these warm ‘oliebollen’ and ‘appelflappen’ from the beginning of November at the earliest and the end of January in the new year at latest. One of the national newspapers has a yearly competition where a panel of experts test out all the ‘oliebollen’ and choose the baker who makes the best oliebollen.
You can enjoy these sweet fried doughy treats with or without raisins baked inside. As mentioned, they are traditionally enjoyed on New Year’s Eve, but people often take them to family and friends in the month or two before the new year.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Oudejaarsconference
The ‘oudejaarsconference’ is a New Year’s Eve cabaret or comedic performance that typically reflects on the year the country and the world has just been through. It highlights the good moments and reflects on the darker news stories. There is typically one well-known ‘cabaretier’ (i.e., comedian) on the national tv channel, as well as one or two ‘cabaretiers’ on other tv channels. These ‘conferences’ are often one of the most well-viewed and well-loved programs of the year.
These shows are typically watched with family members, or friends while enjoying some oliebollen in the living room.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Vuurwerk
When the clock strikes 00.00 on New Year’s Even thousands of fireworks (‘vuurwerk’) are lit in the Netherlands and Belgium. This is certainly the loudest and the most controversial New Year’s tradition on this list. Fireworks can be beautiful, exciting and festive, but there are also risks involved that lead hundreds of people to their local hospital due to firework injuries each year. And fireworks also leave a lot of mess in the streets that the municipality has to clean up the days after. With the downsides of fireworks becoming more well known in recent years, there is now a set time in which you are allowed to light fireworks and some cities have even banned the ‘personal’ use of fireworks altogether.
Source: pexels.com
Nieuwjaarsduik
‘A fresh start’ certainly has a slightly different meaning in the Netherlands and Belgium when it comes to New Year’s. Many Dutch and Flemish people literally dive into the new year with a ‘nieuwjaarsduik’ (i.e., ‘New Year’s Dive’) in the freezing cold winter sea. It is a tradition that started in the 60s and has continues to be one of the strangest yet most well-loved new year’s traditions that is all over the national news every year. So, if the sound of a fresh dive in the Winter Sea floats your boat, why not get your swimwear ready and join thousands on January first in ‘diving into the new year’ Dutch style?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
De Top 2000
This New Year’s tradition starts just after Christmas Eve, at 00.00 on the 25th of December and ends just before midnight on New Year’s Eve. This tradition may be familiar to you as there are certainly more countries in the world who do a yearly countdown of the top 2000 songs ever. This tradition is relatively new as the top 2000 started at the beginning of this millennium in the year 2000. A fun fact about the ‘top 2000’ is that most years Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ has been number 1 on the list. If you’re curious about last years’ list top 2000 list and discover some Dutch music artist and songs along the way, you can find it here. 
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Join the Conversation
I would love to know where you are from and what your special New Year’s traditions are! You can share your countries and family traditions here in the forums.
Until the new year!
Marieke, OLS Community Manager - Dutch