Silvester Night in the Netherlands

My wife and I recently returned from the Netherlands, where we spent 10 nights, including December 31, celebrating the arrival of 2025.

The Dutch people’s enthusiasm for fireworks during New Year’s Eve is a deeply ingrained tradition. Unlike in many countries where fireworks displays are managed by professionals, in the Netherlands, individuals take pride in purchasing and setting off their own fireworks. The excitement builds throughout December, creating a unique cultural experience. Dutch families and communities collectively spend millions of euros on fireworks every year, cherishing this festive tradition, which often involves months of planning and anticipation.

This enthusiasm reminded me of Brazil’s Carnaval, where samba schools and communities dedicate immense time and resources to crafting costumes and performances. Similarly, Dutch families and groups invest significant effort and money into preparing for their New Year’s celebrations.

Just days before the end of the year, an article noted that ’19 Dutch municipalities opted for a fireworks ban on New Year’s Eve 2024,’ including Utrecht, which we visited. The same article highlighted that possessing heavy fireworks without a permit could now lead to prison time. In recent years, there has been growing awareness about the environmental impact of fireworks, including air and noise pollution. Injuries are also a significant concern, leading to debates about stricter regulations or bans on consumer fireworks. Despite these restrictions, enforcement appears challenging, particularly in densely populated areas like Utrecht, as millions of people participate in lighting fireworks. On New Year’s Eve, police and municipal resources are understandably focused on public safety and emergencies rather than policing individual fireworks use.

According to another article published on December 31, 2024, ‘People in the Netherlands spent around 118 million euros on fireworks this year,’ surpassing the 2022 record of 115 million euros. Interestingly, despite this spending, fireworks appear to be losing favor, with 60% of Dutch citizens supporting a general ban on consumer fireworks. Based on our personal experience in Utrecht and accounts from Delft (near The Hague), we could hardly guess such statistics.

Readers may wonder how we felt about visiting the Netherlands, especially following the violent incidents involving Israeli fans in Amsterdam after the Maccabi Tel Aviv–Ajax football match, and the Israel National Security Council’s (Malal) recommendation to conceal Israeli identity. One anecdote captures the essence of our experience. At the Museum Speelklok in Utrecht, which showcases a fascinating collection of self-playing musical instruments, including music boxes, orchestrions, street organs, and carillon clocks, the ticket seller asked: “Where are you from?” I instinctively answered: “From Israel.” For a second, I thought about the Malal advisory, but it was too late. To my surprise, she handed me a guide in Hebrew, inscribed with ‘ברוכים הבאים!’ (‘Welcome!’). We had a similar experience at the Vermeer Centrum in Delft. The ticket person also asked where we are from. This time it was to give us the included audiotour in the proper language. She said: “Shalom, sorry, we don’t have Hebrew”. Of course, we agreed to compromise for the English one.

What drew us to the Netherlands during a gloomy December with less than 30 hours of sunshine, temperatures barely above freezing, and persistent drizzle dismissed as ‘rain’ by locals?

I’ll leave that for readers to guess.