You hate it or you love it: the loud bangs of the fireworks. For some people who want to escape the annual noise, a holiday park is a refuge. People with four-legged friends in particular can be found at campsites and bungalow parks during New Year’s Eve.
The Texel EuroParcs De Koog in De Cocksdorp is one of the places where many people with dogs stay. It is clear to the employees that guests mainly come for peace and quiet. “We have a small-scale park with 33 chalets,” says Arjan Eelman of EuroParcs. “But it’s very busy.”
Eelman notices that the houses where dogs are allowed are booked well in advance. “These guests come for the peace and quiet, the beach and the outdoors. No fireworks are allowed on the site, but of course we don’t know what happens outside our site.”
New Year’s dinner
They also notice the festive crowds at Camping & Holiday Park De Nollen in Callantsoog. “Our houses are always well booked during the winter period, but this year the campsite is almost completely full and that is unique,” says Nuno Ploeger of De Nollen.
Last year, the holiday park decided to make the site fireworks-free and that turned out well. “Camping in the winter is also becoming increasingly popular. Most people don’t just come for New Year’s Eve and stick to it for a few days longer,” says Ploeger.
The holiday park also organizes a New Year’s dinner for about a hundred people in the associated restaurant. People who are not at the campsite can also join us. “That was a great success last year,” says the campsite employee. “Thanks to last year’s success, there will be many the same faces at the holiday park this year.”
‘Green and quiet park’
At Carpe Diem Bungalow Park in Groet, which is open all year round, it is also noticeable that people with dogs in particular flee their homes. “We are a green and quiet family park,” says manager Marianne Meedendorp. “People cannot light fireworks here. If they want to, they have to do so on the side of the road.”
The park in Groet is open all year round, but to maintain peace and quiet, the park is aimed at people who also like to visit it. “We don’t want groups of people here who are partying and causing trouble,” says Meedendorp. “To keep out night owls, people can only book a weekly package.”
Still want to watch fireworks?
Fireworks enthusiasts who want to be completely immersed in the moment can watch the Electric Fireworks at the countdown moment at Museumplein in Amsterdam. There will be a light show on the square, which will also include eco fireworks. A special children’s show is organized for the youth. That starts at 7 p.m.
There is a fireworks show in Weesp. Professional fireworks will be set off between 11:45 PM and 12:30 AM in the so-called Kom van Weesp, between Herengracht and Achteromstraat. This is done from a pontoon on the water.