1) Deventer Dickens Festival 2010:
The historic city center of Deventer becomes the stage for a 19th century setting on 18 and 19 December. Roam the streets and meet Scrooge, Mr. Pickwick and 898 other characters, from drunks to nobility, which featured in British author Charles Dickens' novels. To increase the fairy-tale atmosphere, there will be tiny fairy lights and numerous Christmas trees. You can enjoy English punch, roasted chestnuts and other traditional English delicacies. The free-of-charge festival takes place from 11am to 5pm. Deventer is about 45 minutes away from Enschede by train.
2) Winter Wonderland:
Enschede’s Old Market Square has changed into a ‘winter wonderland’, hosting an ice skating rink – the first one in the Netherlands with a lane to take you all around the city’s central church, until 2 January. To enter, you pay € 3 and for an extra € 3.50, you can rent skates. Nearby the skating rink there is a parasol bar selling hot choco- late and traditional Dutch winter snacks like poffertjes (thick, mini pancakes rolled in powdered sugar) to keep you warm, along with other attractions.
3) Münster Christmas Market:
Whether you are there to enjoy freshly brewed hot glühwine, colorful chocolate-coated apples or crumbly Reibekuchen, the cozy atmosphere of the Münster Christmas market is likely to captivate you. With over 280 stalls, the Christmas market of Münster, slightly more than an hour away from Enschede by train, is among Germany’s most famous ones. Plenty of unique 3 and affordable handicrafts are on sale, from colorful candles to carved wooden toys ― it makes for excellent shopping.
4) SBS Christmas Parade:
One of the Netherlands’ most popular Christmas attractions visits Enschede this year: the SBS float parade on 21 December. The 800-meter-long parade includes beautifully decorated wagons and 300 dancers and walk-ons, all in Christmas theme. Lasting approximately two hours, it starts at the Van Heekplein at 5:30pm. Because of the expected rush in traffic, it is best to come by bus or bike.
5) International Circus Festival:
Another fascinating event to attend is the International Circus Festival in town from 18 to 28 December. Tucked away warmly in your seat at the Go Planet hall, located just behind the Enschede Drienerlo station, you can watch many different acts, from awe-inspiring acro- batics to large-footed clowns. The circus magic lasts 2.5 hours, including a break. Ticket prices start from € 21.
6) Holiday Light Show:
Everywhere in Europe, cities ‘dress up’ for Christmas with fabulous light displays. Enschede is joining in with a dynamic laser show, fabricated by artist Peter Vink. The light display connects the Oude Markt to Roombeek. You should be able to spot the rays from the 21 December onwards, follow- ing its official opening between 4pm and 5pm, which can be attended for free.
7) Holland Casino’s Sylvester Night:
The precise contents of its Sylvester Party, taking place on 30 December, are carefully hidden by Holland Casino- to keep the surprise. What is certain though, is that there will be ample champagne, finger food and various fascinating games to ensure that the nearly-last night of the year will be a good one.
Top seven list of things to do
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Redactie
Are you staying in Twente during the winter holidays, instead of visiting fancy ski resorts or sunny resorts like your friends? Well, lucky you. There are loads of things happening help you make the most of the season's sights and sounds, from fancy Christmas markets to amazing light displays and other traditional `winterly' stuff.
Are you staying in Twente during the winter holidays, instead of visiting fancy ski resorts or sunny resorts like your friends? Well, lucky you. There are loads of things happening help you make the most of the season's sights and sounds, from fancy Christmas markets to amazing light displays and other traditional `winterly' stuff. Below follows a Top Seven list to keep your spirits high.
