The north of Europe has been pretty cold the last couple of weeks. Amsterdam has seen some snow which has caused a few delays at Schiphol airport and also on the Dutch rail network. Most of the main roads in Amsterdam are clear but many smaller roads and footpaths remain icy and quite slippery - so take care if you’re planning a visit.

Because of the delays and reduced service, NS the Dutch rail operator is offering all passengers 40% off train tickets for domestic travel between 0900 and 1600 and then after 1900 – this offer is valid until Friday 15th January. You only have to buy a ticket with discount or “korting”.

The following photos were taken today (Wednesday 13th January) and show the Keizersgracht canal completely iced over. The “rondvaart” canal boat tours still seem to be running through the thinner ice of the other canals.

A look at what’s happening in and around Amsterdam during January and February 2010 as we head into a new year. Despite the winter there’s always plenty to see and do in the city at this time of year.

Museums / Exhibitions

Hermitage Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s newly renovated major museum gives you the last chance to see “At The Russian Court – Palace and Protocol in the 19th Century”. This exhibition ends January 31st 2010.

Huis Marseille
Edward Burtynsky / Oil – Fascinating photo exhibition documenting many aspects of the oil industry and man’s love affair with petrochemicals. Runs to February 28th.

Van Gogh Museum
Alfred Stevens (1823-1906) retrospective exhibition. Runs to January 24th 2010. Paul Gaugin exhibition starts February 19th.

Amsterdam Historical Museum
“The Sixties NOW!” – A variety of exhibitions looking back at the revolutionary 1960s decade. Includes photos of the occupation of the Maagdenhuis. Runs to February 7th 2010.

Tropenmuseum
“The Dono Code” – Exhibition from Indonesian artist Heri Dono.
Runs to February 28th 2010.
“The Art of Survival” – Maroon culture from Suriname.
Runs throughout January and February (ends May 2010).

Rijksmuseum Schiphol Airport
“Brueghel in Business” – Small exhibit of the 16th century Brueghel brothers. To February 22nd 2010.

Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)
Oman: Cultural exhibition with 250 objects.
Running until April 18th 2010.

Museum of Bags and Purses
“Made in Britain” – various designer bags on show from UK.
Ends February 21st 2010.

Dutch Resistance Museum
“Season ‘40-’45” – Football during World War II. English translation cards available. Exhibition runs to April 2010.

Jewish Historical Museum
“A Master Revealed” – Meijer de Haan (1852-1895) – Dutch artist retrospective. Runs until January 24th 2010.
“Sonia Gaskell” – Exhibition on the life of this dancer and choreographer who lived in Amsterdam. Ends January 31st 2010.

Amsterdam Stadarchief
“Amsterdam: Capital of Finance” exhibition.
Ends February 28th 2010.

Museum Geelvinck Hinlopen Huis
“Dutch cartography of Russia” – exhibition of maps from 16th – 18th century. Runs to February 1st 2010.

Press Museum
“1989. The End of an era” – Exhibition on how the press reported the fall of the Iron Curtain 20 years ago. Until February 28th 2010.

For more information about museums in the city go here: Amsterdam Museums

Sport in Amsterdam / Netherlands

Ajax home Eredivisie league matches – Amsterdam ArenA:
January 24th (1230) – Ajax vs AZ Alkmaar
February 3nd (2015) – Ajax vs Roda JC
February 7th (1630) – Ajax vs FC Twente
February 21st (1430) – Ajax vs Vitesse Arnhem
February 28th (1230) – Ajax vs FC Utrecht

January 27th (1830) – Ajax vs NEC (KNVB Beker – Dutch Cup)

Netherlands vs USA – Friendly football international will be played at the Amsterdam Arena on March 3rd 2010 (2045). Tickets (€17.50 – €55) go on general sale from January 30th.

Equestrian
Jumping Amsterdam – Show featuring some of the world’s best horse riders in both jumping and dressage events.
January 21st – 24th 2010 – Halls 9/10/11 Amsterdam RAI

Tennis
ABN Amro tournament (ATP) includes Novak Djokovic. February 8th to 14th 2010 – Ahoy Rotterdam. Tickets start at €22.

Other Amsterdam Events

Amandla! Madela – Musical tribute to the life of Nelson Mandela
January 15th/16th – Schouwburg Amsterdam

Le Nozze di Figaro – Lorenzo da Ponte
Netherlands Opera / Chamber orchestra
Jan 15/18/20/22/24/26/28/31; Feb 3 – Amsterdam Muziektheater

The Flying Dutchman – Richard Wagner opera
Netherlands Opera / Philharmonic orchestra
Feb 1/4/7/12/16/19/22/25/28 – Amsterdam Muziektheater

Top Gear Live – BBC’s popular show featuring Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and The Stig comes to Amsterdam in live format.
January 21/22/23/24 – Amsterdam RAI

Da Bounce Comedy Nights – UK/US comedians perform.
January 29th 2010 – Theatre Factory Amsterdam

Fiesta Cubana – Join DJ Arno who hosts a monthly salsa dance party at the Badcuyp (Eerste Sweelinckstraat 10, just off Albert Cuyp straat). Next event on Friday February 5th (2200 – 0245) – entry €5.

HuisHoud Beurs (Household exhibition)
Feb 13th to 21st at Amsterdam RAI.

Don Quixote – Dutch National Ballet
Feb 13/14/18/20/21/26/27 – Amsterdam Muziektheater

Storm for Kids – Open stage event for under 15’s.
February 14th 2010 – Schouwburg Amstelveen

Concerts in Amsterdam

January 28th – Gare du Nord – Melkweg
January 31st – Dropkick Murphys – Heineken Music Hall
January 31st – Ian Brown – Paradiso
February 1st – Joss Stone – Paradiso
February 3rd – Buena Vista Social Club – Paradiso
February 4th – Machine Head – Heineken Music Hall
February 6th – Air – Paradiso
February 6th – Stereophonics - Heineken Music Hall
February 10th/11th – Adam Green – Paradiso
February 11th – Pat Metheny – Concertgebouw
February 19th – Kane - Paradiso
February 20th – Babylon Circus – Melkweg
February 23rd – The Australian Pink Floyd Show – Heineken Music Hall
February 25th – Kelly Clarkson – Heineken Music Hall

This coming Saturday 7th November in Amsterdam will be the 10th annual museum night or “Museumnacht“. Special events will be taking place between 1900 and 0200 in 42 participating museums in the city, including all the major ones like Van Gogh museum, Rijksmuseum, Anne Frankhuis etc.

The program includes live music and other artistic performances, fashion shows, films, workshops, DJs and chill out rooms, cocktail bars and various eating options.

1 Museumnacht ticket costs €17,50 for entry to the 42 museums between 1900 and 0200 – available for purchase at Free Record shops, Post Offices, the “VVV” Tourist Information or online at ticketservice.nl.

Note, if there are any tickets left on the night they will be on sale at the Ticketshop on Leidseplein for €20. You won’t be able to buy tickets at the museums.

The ticket includes free use of public transport (buses, trams, night buses) from1800 Sat to 0600 Sun. You will also get free entry to 1 museum up until December 31st 2009.

Ticket holders will get discounts at one of 9 clubs holding after parties (including Paradiso and Melkweg).

For detailed program visit n8.nl (Dutch).

A look at the highlights of what’s happening in and around Amsterdam during November and December 2009. This is the winter holiday season with the country celebrating “Sinterklaas” on December 5th and then we head towards Christmas and New Year.

Museums / Exhibitions

Hermitage Amsterdam
“At The Russian Court – Palace and Protocol in the 19th Century”. Amsterdam’s latest big attraction, the newly renovated Hermitage museum. This exhibition runs throughout Novemebr and December up to January 2010.

Van Gogh Museum
Alfred Stevens – Retrospective of this 19th century Belgian artist.
Runs to January 24th 2010.

Amsterdam Historical Museum
“The Sixties NOW!” – Look back at the revolutionary decade and its impact in Amsterdam. Runs to February 2010.

Museum of Bags and Purses
“Made in Britain” – designer bags on show from UK.
Runs through Nov/Dec until February 21st 2010.

Tropenmuseum
“Greetings From” : Historical Postcards of (Tropical) Illnesses and Treatments. Runs until November 29th.
“The Dono Code” – Exhibition from Indonesian artist Heri Dono.
Runs to February 28th 2010.

Dutch Resistance Museum
“Season ‘40-’45″ – Football during World War II.
Long running exhibition to April 2010.

Jewish Historical museum
“A Master Revealed” – Meijer de Haan – Dutch 19th century artist retrospective. Runs until January 24th 2010.

Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)
Oman: Cultural exhibition with 250 objects.
Running until April 18th 2010.

Museum Van Loon
“A Beautiful View” – Exhibition of panelling painter Jurriaan Andriessen (1742-1819). Runs to January 4th 2010.

Amsterdam Stadarchief
“Amsterdam: Capital of Finance” exhibition.
November 20th to February 28th 2010.

Museum Night will be held on November 7th – around 40 museums will be open between 1900 and 0200.

For more information about museums in the city go here: Amsterdam Museums

Amsterdam Festivals

IDFA
International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam
250 films showing between November 19th and 29th.

Winterparade
Theatre, music, dance, film and activities at the Westergasfabriek
December 18th – 31st.

Sport in Amsterdam

Ajax home league matches – Amsterdam ArenA:
November 1st – Ajax vs Feyenoord
November 22nd – Ajax vs Heerenveen
December 11th – Ajax vs NEC

Other Amsterdam Events

Eddie Izzard – British stand-up comedian.
November 13th/14th – Heineken Music Hall

Soweto Gospel Choir
November 27th – Royal Theatre Carre

Holiday on Ice – Spirit of the World
December 3rd-13th – Amsterdam RAI

Miljonair Fair
“World’s Leading Luxury Fair”
December 10th-14th – Amsterdam RAI

World Christmas Circus
December 18th- January 3rd – Royal Theatre Carre

Riverdance The Farwell Tour
December 15th – 20th – Heineken Music Hall

Hamlet – Shakespeare
December 18th/19th – Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam

Christmas Concert
December 19th – Oranjekerk

The Nutcracker – Ballet – choreographer Marco Goeke.
December 22nd/23rd – Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam

Apassionata – Charm of Freedom - Dance show.
December 25th/26th/27th – Amsterdam RAI

Classical chamber concerts running most Sundays at 1600
through November / December at Museum Geelvinck.

Organ concerts (€5 admission, museum card free)
Held at OudeKerk ay 1500 on Nov 1st/15th/22nd/29th,
Dec 5th/12th/19th/23rd/27th/30th

Concerts in Amsterdam / Netherlands

November 1st – Spandau Ballet – Heineken Music Hall
November 1st/2nd – Ilse DeLange - Melkweg
November 4th – Maxwell – Heineken Music Hall
November 6th – Royksopp – Melkweg
November 8th/9th – Skunk Anansie – Paradiso
November 10th/11th – Arctic Monkeys – Heineken Music Hall
November 14th – Marianne Faithful – Paradiso
November 17th – Deep Purple – Heineken Music Hall
November 22nd – Franz Ferdinand - Heineken Music Hall
November 23rd – The Prodigy - Heineken Music Hall
November 24th – Simpe Minds - Heineken Music Hall
December 7th – Maralyn Manson – Heineken Music Hall
December 12th – Ellen ten Damme – Meervart

Other big concerts in the rest of Netherlands…

November 10th/11th – Cliff Richard & The Shadows – Ahoy, Rotterdam
November 12th/16th – Anouk - Ahoy, Rotterdam
November 13th – Bryan Adams – De Doelen, Rotterdam
November 15th – Backstreet Boys – Ahoy, Rotterdam
November 30th – Depeche Mode – Ahoy, Rotterdam
December 1st – UB40 – Ahoy, Rotterdam
December 2nd/4th – Anouk - Ahoy, Rotterdam
December 6th – Pink - Ahoy, Rotterdam
December 9th – Paul McCartney: Good Evening Holland – Gelderdome Arnhem

Accommodation in Amsterdam

There is a wide variety of accommodation in Amsterdam to suit every budget. If you are wanting to visit in December (and especially for New Year’s Eve) then you should book in advance.

If you are after a hostel or cheaper hotel / appartment then have a look at Hostelbookers who have no booking fees.

For a very good selection of hotels then check out EasyToBook. Our own recommended hotel idea is the hip but good value Hotel V Frederiksplein quite near the centre with free wifi and breakfast included. If you have an early flight out of Amsterdam Schiphol then consider the CitizenM hotel which is a few minutes walk from the terminal.