The Grachtenfestival, or "Canal Festival," brings classical music to Amsterdam's many waterways, but the festival itself happens in August. However, with this year's first annual Amsterdam Light Festival the opportunity to mesmerize both native Amsterdammers and the city's visitors by combining the two was too ample for the organizers of both festivals to pass on (clearly).
There are going to be four concerts, each unique in its own way. The first one takes place on Thursday December 13th at the Portuguese Synagogue. It celebrates, very aptly, Hanukkah the Jewish Festival of Lights in the context of the Amsterdam Light Festival (this is basically the best and most appropriate case of planning by festival organizers anywhere ever).
The other performances are held in the Zuiderkerk (led by saxophonist Ties Mellema), the Waalse Kerk (with violinist Rosanne Philippens) and, ofcourse, the Oude Kerk (with mezzosoprano Karin Strobos). And if all this does not sound charming enough, a cup of warm gluhwein and a fleece blanket (in the chillier locations) are included with the entrance fee.
Personally, I'd recommend getting into the feel of the concert with a night-time canal cruise to enjoy some of the spectacular displays of the Amsterdam Light Festival before settling into a night of classical music. Also, most romantic date-night ever!
Amsterdam (Photo credit: jas_gd)
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