The holidays are coming! Time for cold noses, warm mittens, lights and carols. Our ground floor is completely decked out in a Surinamese and winter spirit, with cozy stalls where you can find your last-minute Christmas gifts or enjoy a fun activity. See you there!
There will be extra activities and performances during the opening weekend. The program for Saturday, December 13, is listed below.
ProgramCelebrate winter at Naturalis
In addition to the cozy stalls, you can also get involved in various workshops and enjoy music.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:15 - 11:00 a.m. 3:45 - 4.30 p.m. | Workshop The Circle and Cultures of Suriname with Evita Tjon a Ten |
| 11.20 a.m. - 12.05 p.m. 1.35 - 2.20 p.m. | Workshop Leaf Painting with Hoi-Shan Mak |
| 12.30 - 1.15 p.m. 2.40 - 3.25 p.m. | Workshop make a Lapoe with Apa Pavion (Kula Skoro) |
| 1.15 - 1.45 p.m. | Performance by Black Harmony |
| All day | Dating table |
| All day | Wishing Tree |
The Circle and Culturesof Suriname
The workshops are free and open to everyone aged 8 and above. Parents are asked to accompany their children. Each workshop has space for 15 participants (first come, first served).
In this workshop, you'll learn about the migration history of the various Surinamese communities. Learn the meanings of different patterns and use drawing techniques to bring the designs to life according to your own insights.
Leafpainting
The workshops are free and open to everyone aged 8 and above. Parents are asked to accompany their children. Each workshop has space for 15 participants (first come, first served).
Learn brush painting on the leaves of the bodhi tree. This tree is common in Suriname, having been brought there by the Hindustani people. Leaf painting is an ancient traditional Chinese and Indian art form. This workshop is available in both Dutch and English.
Make aLapoe
The workshops are free and open to everyone aged 8 and above. Parents are asked to accompany their children. Each workshop has space for 15 participants (first come, first served).
The pangi is a traditional Surinamese wrap skirt worn by women from the Maroon cultures in Suriname. It represents pride, solidarity, and cultural identity. The colorful embroidery - often featuring symbols, flowers, and animals - tells stories and keeps traditions alive. During the workshop, you can try your hand at embroidery and get creative in the same cheerful and meaningful style.
BlackHarmony
Come and listen
Visitors will be treated to a performance by Black Harmony. This vocal group is currently touring with the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble, but it making a special trip for Naturalis. Black Harmony sings in Surinamese and will perform a cappella on December 13.
Take a seatat the dating table
Take a seat at the dating table, made form a 131-year-old oak tree. You will also find a piece of kapok tree and a question: why does the kapok tree have no growth rings? This has everything to do with the seasons - or rather, the lack thereof in Suriname. Our educational guides will be happy to tell you more about it.
Wintershopping
Gifts for the holidays
Discover a sparkling surprise! Choose a geode for €9.95 and we'll crack it open for you.
Hang your ideaon the Wishing Tree
At the Wishing Tree, you will discover how nature in the Netherlands and Suriname is connected. Questions hang on the tree that you can respond to: choose a color or write down your answer. Hang your answer on the Wishing Tree and leave your thoughts or discoveries behind. Our educational guides will be happy to talk to you about your ideas.
Win an itemfrom our museum shop
Will you be cozy this winter?
Enter our contest for a chance to win a voucher for a hoodie, sweater or t-shirt featuring an illustration by Hedy Tjin. Naturalis will be giving away one voucher for a hoodie, sweater or t-shirt every day until Sunday, January 4, 2026. Come to the winter market and enter!
