Dutch holidays: A quick overview

The Netherlands has a rich tradition of public holidays, each with its own meaning and way of celebrating. While some holidays are officially recognized as days off, others depend on the sector or employer. IQ Staffing provides you with a quick guide to the most important public holidays in the Netherlands.

New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag) – January 1
- New Year’s Day marks the start of the year, celebrated with fireworks, family gatherings, and festive meals.
- Official day off: Yes
Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag) – Friday before Easter
- On the Friday before Easter, Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus. While it’s a public holiday in some regions or sectors, it’s not universally a day off.
- Official day off: No, depending on your employer.
Easter (Eerste en Tweede Paasdag) – March or April
- Easter Sunday (Eerste Paasdag) celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, with church services, family gatherings, and Easter egg hunts for children. On Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag) the Easter celebrations continue. This is often a day for outdoor activities and family outings.
- Official day off: Yes
King’s Day (Koningsdag) – April 27
- King’s Day is arguably the most important holiday in the Netherlands. The Dutch go all out to celebrate the birthday of their King, Willem-Alexander, with vibrant street markets, lively music, dancing, and, of course, the national color: orange! If you’ve never experienced King’s Day, make sure to catch the iconic boat parade in Amsterdam. The city’s canals transform into a sea of orange as boats fill the waterways, an unforgettable experience!
- Official day off: Yes

Labour Day (Dag van de Arbeid) – May 1
- While Labour Day celebrates workers’ rights, it’s not a mandatory public holiday. Many businesses remain open.
- Official day off: No, depending on your employer.
Ascension Day (Hemelvaart) – 40 days after Easter
- ‘’Hemelvaart’’ marks the ascension of Jesus into heaven. It’s a Christian holiday often enjoyed with family events or outdoor activities.
- Official day off: Yes
Whit Sun/Pentacross (Pinksteren) – 50 days after Easter
- ‘’Pinksteren’’ is celebrated on a Sunday and Monday, 50 days after Easter. It celebrates the Holy Spirit’s descent on the apostles. While it’s a time of reflection and spiritual significance for Christians, most people in the Netherlands enjoy it as a long weekend filled with cultural activities, family time or outdoor festivals.
- Official days off: Yes

Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas’ Day) – December 5
- Sinterklaas is a popular Dutch children’s holiday celebrated on December 5th. Sinterklaas arrives from Spain by boat, accompanied by his helpers, the ‘’Pieten’’. On the evening of December 5th, known as Sinterklaasavond, families exchange gifts, often with playful poems and surprises hidden inside. In the weeks up to December 5^th, Children place their shoes out, hoping to find small presents and candy from Sinterklaas, like ‘’pepernoten’’ and ‘’chocoladeletters (chocolate letters)’’.
- Official day off: No, but many large organizations organize a Sinterklaas celebration for employees to bring their kids to.

Christmas– December 25 and 26
- In the Netherlands, Christmas is celebrated with a blend of family traditions, festive meals, and gatherings with friends. Most Dutch people celebrate Christmas Eve (December 24th) quietly with family, while Christmas Day (December 25th) is marked by a festive meal and time spent with loved ones. On First Christmas Day, many families enjoy a special dinner, which might include traditional dishes like ‘’gourmetten’’ (a fondue-style meal with small pieces of meat, fish, and vegetables cooked at the table) or a buffet. Second Christmas Day (December 26th) is typically a day for visiting extended family or friends. In addition to family time, Dutch people often decorate their homes with Christmas lights and of course Christmas trees.
- Official days off: Yes
National Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking) – May 4
- Although it’s not an official day off, ‘’Dodenherdenking’’ is an important day of reflection in the Netherlands. At 8 PM, there is a two-minute silence to remember those who died in World War II and the Holocaust.
- Official day off: No
Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) – May 5
- ‘’Bevrijdingsdag’’ commemorates the end of the Nazi occupation in 1945. Although it’s only an official day off every five years, many organizations give their employees an extra day off to attend festivals or outdoor activities.
- Official day off: once every five years (next in 2025).

Summary of key public holidays in the Netherlands:

Official days off: New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, King’s Day, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday, Whit Monday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day.
Not always a day off: Good Friday, Labour Day, Sinterklaas, National Remembrance Day, and Liberation Day (every five years).

While these are the key national holidays, there may be additional local observances depending on region or sector. So, be sure to check your specific workplace’s holiday calendar!

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