Oudejaarsconference


The oudejaarsconference is a cabaret performance that is performed annually in December. The conference discusses the past year, every year by different comedians. The oudejaarsconference is a Dutch tradition, but since 1993 Belgium has also had its own oudejaarsconference. The conference has been broadcast on television since 1969.

History

The play Gijsbrecht van Aemstel by Joost van den Vondel was invariably followed by the farce The Wedding of Kloris and Roosje from 1720 to the 1960s at the end of December. This comedy was performed after the Gijsbrecht van Aemstel tragedy to ensure that the audience did not return home in a sad mood. The wedding of Kloris and Roosje included a New Year's wish that was always preceded by a passage in which a humorous look back was made on the past year. This piece is often seen as the forerunner of the modern oudejaarsconferences.

1954 – 1982

The first modern oudejaarsconference took place in 1954. The Dutch comedian Wim Kan gave in 1954 a conference on the radio, in which he made jokes and looked back on the year 1954. The broadcast was an immediate success, after which Kan decided to make it a recurring event. Six more oudejaarsconferences by Wim Kan followed later. However, in 1969 Wim Kan was unable to perform due to fatigue, so Seth Gaaikema did the oudejaarsconference in 1969. Gaaikema did not perform the conference on the radio, but was the first comedian to perform the conference on television. In 1973, Wim Kan took over the oudejaarsconference again, which also moved from radio to television.

1982 – present

In 1982 there were two oudejaarsconferences on television. On the first television network, Wim Kan held a conference and on the second television network a oudejaarsconference was broadcast by IKON, performed by the new and refreshing comedian Freek de Jonge. Later, Freek de Jonge's conference turned out to be much more popular than Wim Kan's, which is why Wim Kan decided to stop with the oudejaarsconference. Wim Kan appointed Freek de Jonge as his successor.
Freek de Jonge held an annual oudejaarsconference until 1984. Later, Seth Gaaikema conducted a oudejaarsconference from 1985 to 1986. Since 1987, the oudejaarsconference has been alternately performed on television by different comedians. In 1989, comedian Youp van 't Hek held a oudejaarsconference on television for the first time. In 1990 Seth Gaaikema stopped with the conference. In 1994, the cabaret duo Lebbis and Jansen held a oudejaarsconference on the radio and in 2000 on television.
The comedians Freek de Jonge and Youp van 't Hek alternately conducted a oudejaarsconference. In 2006, Guido Weijers held his first oudejaarsconference on the commercial channel SBS6. In 2010, the broadcaster VARA decided that the oudejaarsconference would be performed by a different comedian every year. In 2010, the oudejaarsconference was staged by Erik van Muiswinkel, who did it together with some other comedians. In 2013, Theo Maassen held a oudejaarsconference on behalf of VARA. In 2015, Herman Finkers held the oudejaarsconference for the first time and in 2016 Claudia de Breij held the conference, making her the first woman to ever hold a oudejaarsconference. Since 2014, the conferences have been broadcast by Guido Weijers on RTL 4. In 2020, Youp van 't Hek held his last oudejaarsconference.
Comedian Peter Pannekoek succeeded Youp van 't Hek in 2021 to do the oudejaarsconference, which was well received. The following year, Claudia de Breij did the conference for BNNVARA and Guido Weijers for RTL 4.
In 2023, Micha Wertheim did the oudejaarsconference for BNNVARA. It was the least-watched New Year's Eve conference on television ever. According to the comedian, that didn't matter. Wertheim says, 'The lower the ratings, the greater my success'. Wertheim's conference is special, because his conference was made especially for television, in which he appeared twice. First as a traditional comedian in a tuxedo who went through the past year in an old-fashioned humorous way. And then as himself in a blue jumper with oliebollen on it, who deviated from tradition and called on people to turn off the television and their phones and talk to each other and celebrate New Year's Eve together.
In 2024, comedian Pieter Derks was allowed to do the oudejaarsconference for broadcaster BNNVARA. Comedian Guido Weijers had cancelled his oudejaarsconference for television channel RTL 4, because he says he 'doesn't have time' to produce the conference. That same year, the VPRO broadcast two conferences. On NPO 2, the VPRO broadcast a conference by Freek de Jonge, which was billed as a 'Christmas conference'. On NPO 3, the VPRO broadcast a oudejaarsconference presented by several female comedians. This conference was followed in 2025, but without television coverage.
In 2025, Peter Pannekoek presented his second New Year's Eve program for broadcaster BNNVARA. In an interview with de Volkskrant, Pannekoek said he considered the oudejaarsconference a wonderful tradition, one that allowed people to look back on the past year with humor. His second show focused on the theme of hope, which, according to Pannekoek, was difficult to find in 2025, but which, he argued, was still present. The oudejaarsconference attracted a total of 3.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched edition in years. Pannekoek said in a statement that he was incredibly honored that his conference was so well-watched.
The oudejaarsconference is not just a conference especially for television. For example, Dolf Jansen has been publishing his oudejaarsconferences on YouTube since 2014. Other Dutch comedians are also doing a oudejaarsconference. Comedian Sjaak Bral has made conferences every year since 1996, especially for the regional channel Omroep West.

List of Dutch oudejaarsconferences broadcast on radio and television

Overview of Dutch New Year's Eve conferences from 1954 to the present:
YearComedianConference titleNetwork
1954Wim KanNou je weet wa'k zeggen wilVARA
1956Wim Kan't Was Me Het Jaartje WelVARA
1958Wim KanWaardig Over De DrempelVARA
1960Wim KanUithuilen En Opnieuw BeginnenVARA
1963Wim Kan12 Miljoen Oliebollen Op AardgasVARA
1966Wim KanLachend Over De LoongrensVARA
1969Seth GaaikemaHeer, Ik Kom Hier Om Te TwijfelenVARA
1970Seth GaaikemaMet Mekaar Op OudejaarVARA
1973Wim KanZuinig Over De DrempelVARA
1976Wim KanWaar Gaan We In Het Nieuwe Jaar Naar Toe?VARA
1977Neerlands Hoop in Bange Dagen—VARA
1979Wim KanWankelend Over De DrempelVARA
1981Wim Kan—KRO
1982Wim KanWij Spreken Af... Dat Wij Niets AfsprekenVARA
1982Freek de JongeDe OpenbaringIKON
1983Freek de JongeEen VerademingVPRO
1984Freek de JongeDe FinaleVPRO
1985Seth Gaaikema—Veronica
1986Seth GaaikemaDat Moet Toch KunnenVeronica
1987Freek de JongeDe ontladingVPRO
1988Seth GaaikemaZo Kan Het OokVeronica
1989Youp van 't HekOudejaarsconference 1989VARA
1990Seth GaaikemaGeef Mij Maar NederlandVeronica
1992Freek de JongeDe EstafetteVPRO
1994Lebbis en Jansen—VARA
1995Lebbis en Jansen—VARA
1995Youp van 't HekHet Is Liegen Of StervenVARA
1996Freek de JongeBrand and Het LuikVPRO
1996Lebbis en Jansen—VARA
1997Freek de JongePapa RazziaVPRO
1998Lebbis en JansenJakkeren VARA
1999Youp van 't HekMond Vol TandenVARA
2000Freek de JongeDe Gillende KeukenmeidVPRO
2000Lebbis en JansenJakkeren in 70 minuten door 2000VARA
2001Freek de JongeHet Laatste OordeelVPRO
2001Lebbis en JansenOudejaars 2001VARA
2002Youp van 't HekYoup Speelt YoupVARA
2002Lebbis en JansenOudejaars 2002VARA
2003Lebbis en JansenJakkeren door 2003VARA
2004Lebbis en JansenTwee Lieve Jongens In Een Woelige WereldVARA
2005Youp van 't HekHet ZelfmoordcommandoVARA
2005Lebbis en JansenOudejaars 2005VARA
2006Guido WeijersDe Oudejaarsconference 2006SBS6
2006Lebbis en JansenOudejaars 2006VARA
2007Jan Jaap van der WalOnderbewustVARA
2007Dolf JansenGeen OudejaarsvoorstellingVARA
2007Guido WeijersDe Oudejaarsconference 2007SBS6
2008Arie KoomenUit!BNN
2008Guido WeijersDe Oudejaarsconference 2008SBS6
2008Dolf JansenEchtVARA
2008Youp van 't HekTroostVARA
2009Freek de JongeFreeks Nederland: VolendamVPRO
2009Jan Jaap van der WalLekker Hard Lachen Met OliebollenVARA
2009Guido WeijersDe Oudejaarsconference 2009SBS6
2010Gedoog, Hoop & LiefdeVARA
2010Dolf JansenOudejaars 2010VARA
2010Freek de JongeHet Verlossende WoordVPRO
2010Arie Koomen, Wilko Terwijn, Menno StamBijbabbelenBNN
2010Guido WeijersDe Oudejaarsconference 2010SBS6
2011Youp van 't HekDe tweede vioolVARA
2011Dolf JansenDe Oudejaars van de StraatVARA
2011Freek de JongeLone WolfVPRO
2011Beau van Erven DorensDe Wereld van Beau: OudejaarsconferenceSBS6
2012Het Eerlijke VerhaalVARA
2012Guido Weijers—KRO
2013Theo MaassenEinde oefeningVARA
2013Pieter DerksEen OudejaarsBNN
2014Youp van 't HekWat is de vraag?VARA
2014Guido Weijers—RTL 4
2015Herman FinkersEen uur Herman FinkersVARA
2016Claudia de Breij—VARA
2016Javier GuzmanZonde voornemensRTL 4
2017Youp van 't HekEen vloek en een zuchtBNNVARA
2017Guido Weijers—RTL 4
2018Marc-Marie HuijbregtsOnderweg Naar MorgenBNNVARA
2018Guido Weijers—RTL 4
2018Javier Guzman—Comedy Central
2019Claudia de Breij—BNNVARA
2019Freek de JongeDe LachgasfabriekVPRO
2019Martijn Koning—RTL 4
2020Youp van 't HekKorrel ZoutBNNVARA
2020Jan Beuving and Patrick NederkoornDe andere OudejaarsBNNVARA
2020Guido Weijers—RTL 4
2020Javier GuzmanRaspopulistComedy Central
2021Peter PannekoekNieuw BloedBNNVARA
2021Najib AmhaliWie het weet mag het zeggen!SBS6
2021Javier GuzmanIn Vertwijfeling VerblijvenComedy Central
2022Claudia de Breij—BNNVARA
2022Guido Weijers—RTL 4
2023Micha WertheimMicha Wertheim voor twaalvenBNNVARA
2024Pieter DerksNu even nietBNNVARA
2024Freek de JongeVrede op aardeVPRO
2024VrouwejaarsVPRO
2025Peter PannekoekPerspectiefBNNVARA

Overview of most watched Dutch oudejaarsconferences on television

Below is an overview of the most watched Dutch oudejaarsconferences on television:
PositionComedianYearNetworkViewers
1Wim Kan1976VARA7.400
2Wim Kan1982VARA7.360
3Wim Kan1973VARA6.500
4Wim Kan1979VARA6.400
5Seth Gaaikema1986Veronica6.150
6Youp van 't Hek2002VARA4.146
7Herman Finkers2015VARA3.791
8Youp van 't Hek2020BNNVARA3.504
9Peter Pannekoek2025BNNVARA3.340
10Youp van 't Hek2017BNNVARA3.135

Oudejaarsconference in Belgium

Since 1993, a oudejaarsconference has also been broadcast on television in Belgium. Comedian Geert Hoste was the person who introduced the tradition. Hoste provided the oudejaarsconference from 1993 to 2015.
From 2003 to 2007, Raf Coppens, held an oudejaarsconference on the commercial channel VTM. From 2012 to 2018, Michael Van Peel provided the oudejaarsconference for the public broadcaster VRT. Since 2019, Kamal Kharmach has provided the oudejaarsconference on the channel VRT 1.

List of Belgian oudejaarsconferences broadcast on television

Overview of most watched Belgian oudejaarsconferences on television

Below is an overview of the most watched Belgian oudejaarsconferences on television:
PositionComedianYearNetworkViewers
1Geert Hoste2012Één1.702
2Geert Hoste2009Één1.700
3Geert Hoste2010Één1.546
4Geert Hoste2013Één1.515
5Geert Hoste2014Één1.419
6Geert Hoste2015Één1.339
7Kamal Kharmach2023VRT 11.300
8Kamal Kharmach2025VRT 11.168
9Kamal Kharmach2024VRT 11.161
10Kamal Kharmach2021Één0.696