No matter the time of year, there always seems to be something cool going on at Artis Zoo - or should I say Natura Artis Magistra? They celebrated 175 years, partook in Museum Night, had several visits from Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers, and now they're holding special Winteravonden (Winter Evenings) over the Christmas break.
From 22 December through 6 January, the zoo will stay open until 8pm* so you can discover the zoo in the dark. And it will be dark. After night fall, the park become pitch dark. The only lighting in the part will come from specially lit paths that will take visitors on a tour through all of Artis' secret treasures.
Follow the path along the nineteenth-century library which houses the correspondence between Charles Darwin and the zoo, around the oldest oak tree in Amsterdam, find out what that buddha statue is really all about, and many more stops along the way. And of course, you'll be able to say goodnight to the animals before they head off to bed. The ones that sleep at night, that is.
To put an über Dutch spin on the event, Artis will be serving the traditional Dutch stamppot (hogdepodge) and olliebollen with your choice of hot chocolate or glühwein.
On Christmas Eve, visitors were treated to a performance by a Christmas choir concert.
The whole event is Atris' contribution to the Amsterdam Light Festival that's taking the city by storm and is definitely an opportunity you don't want to miss.
*The park will close at 4pm on December 31st for New Year's Eve.
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