As is tradition, De Nieuwe Kerk organizes two very special organ concerts around the holidays. These will be candlelight concerts on Christmas Day (Thursday, 25 December) and New Year’s Day (Thursday 1 January 2026). Our resident organists, Bernard Winsemius and Henk Verhoef, will play the organs with a specially selected musical program.
28 October, 11 November, 25 December 2025 & 1 January 2026
1 January: 15:00 – 16:30
Doors open at 14:30
Students/CJP: €7.50
Friends of De Nieuwe Kerk: free
Come and celebrate the holidays at De Nieuwe Kerk. Marvel at the sounds of our organs ons Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Countless candles illuminate this historic location in a magical atmosphere.
Christmas Day
Date: Thursday 25 December
Time: 15:00 – 16:00
Doors open: 14:30
Bernard Winsemius and Henk Verhoef will play the main and transept organs. They will perform three Old Dutch Christmas carols and pieces by composers, including Buxtehude and Bach.
New Year’s Day
Date: Thursday 1 January
Time: 15:00 – 16:00
Doors open: 14:30
Bernard Winsemius and Henk Verhoef will play the main and transept organs. Also performing will be Raymond Honing (traverso), Esther van der Ploeg (baroque oboe), and Lotte Beukman (baroque cello).
Program booklet available soon
Resident Organists
Bernard Winsemius has been organist at De Nieuwe Kerk since 1981. He studied organ at the Amsterdam Conservatory and received the Prix d’Excellence in 1970. Winsemius taught for many years at the conservatories of Rotterdam and Hilversum. He has held guest lectureships both in the Netherlands and abroad, given concerts worldwide, and made numerous CD recordings.
Henk Verhoef has been organist at De Nieuwe Kerk since 2013. He studied in Amsterdam and Paris. He has won several competitions, gives concerts both in the Netherlands and abroad. He is regularly invited to serve on juries at international competitions. He is organist and carillonneur at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and carillonneur in Woerden, Ootmarsum, and Monnickendam. Verhoef also advises on organ and bell restorations.