Local History & Culture

✨ La Cumbipeña - last edition of the year! ✨ On Saturday, December 20th, we gather once again to celebrate music, dance and community in our cozy corner of Utrecht 💛💃 [@cafeaverechts](https://www.instagram.com/cafeaverechts/) We’re super happy to welcome Rosse [@rossienholanda](https://www.instagram.com/rossienholanda/) (Uruguay), a powerful voice with deep Latin roots, together with Ezi [@ezimusicnl](https://www.instagram.com/ezimusicnl/), one of our beloved organisers and musicians. Expect a fun warm up, live music, rhythm, joy… and a space where everyone can express themselves and feel at home ✨ 🕗 20:00–23:00h 📍 Lijsterstraat 49, Utrecht 🎶 Dance workshop + Live Music + Open Mic 🌟 Donation based — everybody welcome to join! Come dance, sing, connect, and celebrate the last Cumbipeña of the year with us 💛 [#lacumbipena](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/lacumbipena/) [#latincommunity](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/latincommunity/) [#utrecht](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/utrecht/) [#livemusic](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/livemusic/) [#openmicutrecht](https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/openmicutrecht/)

Whether you're a passionate zine lover or completely new and simply interested, come join us! What's a zine? A zine is a DIY publication, a handmade booklet or pamphlet. (pronounced zeen, like the second half of the word magazine) You can share your art, try creative writing, make a collage, create a how-to guide, and more! Zines also have a history as a feminist medium, using their accessible format to uplift marginalized voices. Join this first event to \- explore/read some zines \- collect some zines for yourself \- make your own zine\! English and Dutch are both welcome. This is a laidback group with hopes of helping many socialize and make connections. You can come to chat or to sit back and create - any type of interaction is welcome. feminism centered, queer-affirming, neurodivergent affirming, introvert-friendly, limited Dutch-language welcome, limited English-language welcome

Vrijgezellenfeest van onze vriend. Leuke mensen welkom

Join us to meet new people, and discover the local side of Amsterdam. In a 2 hour walk, we cover the highlights from Amsterdam and share the history as well as our best local places. Join us to see the local side of Amsterdam.

Come together, festive forest spirits! It’s time for our **Queermas Hike** through the magical winter landscapes of the Veluwe! Think crunchy forest paths, frosty heather fields, rosy cheeks, and a sparkling Christmas market finale with mulled wine to warm our queer little hearts. ❄️🍷🏳️‍🌈 ✨ **What to expect?** We’ll hike from **station Putten to station Ermelo**, covering about **12 km**. Expect wide winter skies, that quiet Veluwe calm, and plenty of photo moments for your most whimsical seasonal selfies. 📸 Our reward at the end? The **Veluwe Christmas Market**, packed with **local products, hot chocolate and mulled wine**. 🎁🫖 No devils this time, darlings: just **Christmas magic and queer joy in the winter wilds**. 🌲💗 **Practical info** 📏 **Distance:** \~12 km (about 3–4 hours including breaks) 🥾 **Difficulty:** Easy to moderate — mostly flat, winter-friendly terrain 📍 **Start:** Station Putten 🏁 **End:** Station Ermelo + Veluwe Christmas Market nearby *🤝🏼 Meeting point*: **Utrecht Centraal** (underneath the light cloud) *🕙 Gathering time*: **10:00** *🚆 Travel schedule*: Train to **Putten** (direction Zwolle) at **10:21** (platform 4) ➡️ arrival at **Putten** station at **10:59** ❗You can also travel on your own from another direction and meet us along the way or in Putten 🚗 If you come by car, you can park at Station Putten. Please arrive there by 11! 🚶🏾After a round of introductions, we start walking around **11:10** Pack your: 🧣 Christmas sweater /festive winter outfit 🥾 sturdy shoes 🍱 lunch box & snacks 🚰 water 🧥 rain coat/umbrella ☀️ sun screen 🏳️‍🌈 anything else you might need ❌ If you signed up and cannot make it in the end, please cancel your RSVP attendance so we know how many people will show up and someone else can take your place instead. Otherwise we'll put you on the naughty list :) 💗 A voluntary donation helps us to keep the Meetup group up and running :) you can either pay via a Tikkie or in cash after we finish the hike. *Hiking Queers Netherlands*

Taste the culture of Amsterdam, On this food tour, we explain all about the dutch kitchen. We taste local snacks and finish with a Dutch gin called Jenever! Book via the website https://freefoodtouramsterdam.com/ It is the only way you can join the tour.

Let's spend a nice gezellige evening together in the best place for alternative music in Utrecht -> dB's!

HEY. We are in Madeira!! This Sunday, we are opening up a beautiful garden space in Madeira for a relaxed BBQ gathering. After visiting the local market, we’ll meet in the early evening to grill some meat and vegetables, share wine, and simply enjoy being together. Locals, expats, travelers, artists, creatives — everyone is welcome. This is not a formal event, but a warm, open get-together. If you play an instrument, feel free to bring it. If you don’t, just bring yourself. 🌿 Garden BBQ (meat & veggies) 🍷 Wine & shared drinks 🎶 Optional music / spontaneous jams 💬 Conversations, connections, and slow Sunday energy Come as you are, bring a good vibe, and let’s enjoy Madeira together. *Exact address will be shared after RSVP. See you on the lovely Sunday!!

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Utrecht.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over coffee. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

Come and join us for an evening of Buddhist meditation with like-minded people. The doors open at 7:00 PM, and meditation begins promptly at 7:15 PM. The meditation will last between 30 to 40 minutes, followed by tea and biscuits for anyone who would like to stay and chat. On some evenings, there will also be a short Dharma talk to provide some Buddhist context. The meditation space is down at the canal. To get there, you can take the stairs down. The meditation is offered on a donation basis. See our [website](https://utrechtbuddhistcentre.nl/) for more information.

Join in for a morning of crafting & chatting over a drink at Cafe Le Journal. Just bring your own project and payment for drinks. Meet fellow crafting enthusiasts, whether it's knitting, crocheting, stitching, origami, or something more unique! We talk about our projects, exchange tipps, but also just get to know each other and enjoy a relaxed Sunday morning in good company. All ages, levels and crafts welcome! And don't be shy, we have newcomers most weeks! You'll find us in the right-hand corner in the very back of the café. **We have limited space at the café, so if you've RSVPd and can't make it, please cancel as early as possible so another person can join!** We now also have a WhatsApp group, where we want to organise get-togethers and other events. Ask one of the organisers at the next Meetup you join for more information and access.

🧃 This Sunday we get together to thank 2025 and visualize our 2026. You will make your personal collage, and take it home as a visual reminder for your wishes for this year. ✂️ If you have, bring magazines, pictures, books, texts, that we can cut. And your favourite scissors. I'll provide some too. 🔮 This is the fourth edition of this workshop because I believe in the importance of giving space to our creativity in everyday life, and receiving its magic. It really works ;) 💌 Invite your loved ones and let us know if you are joining. Donation-based. ✨ Hope to see you there! Thank you, Luz

Join us for an open, grounded conversation inspired by Tara Brach’s work on Radical Acceptance — the practice of meeting our thoughts, emotions, and life circumstances with clarity and compassion instead of self-criticism or resistance. You don’t need any background in meditation or psychology to join. We’ll explore accessible ideas such as: * The “trance of unworthiness” — the quiet belief that something is wrong with us * How resistance and self-judgment amplify stress * What acceptance actually means (and why it is not passivity) * The RAIN method: a simple, practical way to work with difficult emotions * How compassion creates real emotional freedom This is a relaxed, supportive space where you choose your level of participation. Sharing is optional; listening is welcome. The focus is on understanding ourselves better, building emotional resilience, and having an honest conversation about being human. Who’s this for? Anyone interested in mindfulness, emotional growth, or easing self-judgment. First-timers welcome. What to bring: Optional journal or notes, comfortable clothing, and an open mind. Tone: Warm, steady, non-judgmental. This is not therapy and not a meditation class — just thoughtful dialogue and practical insights.

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

Welcome, readers! ❄️ Our December read is **_A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella._** A Quiet Life by Ethan Joella is a tender, character-driven novel that follows three people in a small Pennsylvania town as they each cope with loss and seek connection. Chuck, a widower, struggles to find meaning after his wife’s death; Ella, a young woman, faces the heartbreak of her missing daughter; and Kirsten, a veterinary technician, grieves her father while contemplating her future. Their stories intertwine gently, revealing how grief and hope coexist—and how even small acts of kindness can help people rediscover purpose and peace in the aftermath of tragedy. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! At this meeting, our third annual White Elephant book exchange will take place! If you'd like to participate, bring a gift-wrapped book that you already own. On the gift wrap, write the genre of the book. We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Stauf’s German Village! Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends! Afterwards, we’ll visit The Book Loft (next door) and stroll the shelves.

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant. *** Did you know that there are atheists everywhere?!?! You may not know it, but we are! We're in your schools, diners, police force, military, government, and some are even still in your churches! So come and join us and meet other local atheists, along with agnostics, heathens, humanists, skeptics, and anyone else who's 'hell bound'! Vision: a Central Ohio that accepts atheism as a viable alternative in all areas of public and private life. Mission: grow, support, and provide community for atheists in Central Ohio. Social meetings held most Tuesdays at a local pub/restaurant at 7:00 PM (and often into the wee hours). Attendees call themselves agnostics, skeptics, humanists, non-theists, deists or even theists. All attendees are welcome but should support our vision. Atheists of Columbus (AoC) is part of Omnipresent Atheists (OA). AoC members are invited to join this OA meetup and/or OA Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/omnipresentatheists/ ) but are free to continue conversations on the AoC Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/columbusatheists/ ). AoC was founded in 2012 as a networking, social group for Central Ohio area humanists, skeptics, atheists, agnostics, nonbelievers, freethinkers, and the curious. It was a member of Columbus CoR and held weekly meetings, mostly on Fridays, for several years but then operated as an online only group for some time. In November 2018, Omnipresent Atheists (OA), a group that routinely meets on Tuesdays, invited AoC to merge. Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason (ColumbusCoR.org). Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason ( http://www.ColumbusCoR.org ). Omnipresent Atheists endorses the mission of the Secular Coalition for America ( http://secular.org ).

First Sundays are free admission at Franklin Park Conservatory. Sunday, January 4th, is also the last day The Palm House will be open before renovations begin. Let’s meet, enjoy a respite from January weather, and wander the gardens. Free neanthe bella palms are available to guests, beginning at 10am, while supplies last. Afterwards, we can visit the nearby East Market (212 Kelton Avenue).

This meetup is 2:30pm Sunday. Conversation tends toward intermediate/advanced, but everybody is welcome. If you come and don't see us right away, keep looking. We could be anywhere. in the restaurant, or even out on the patio.