The Netherlands has a vibrant cultural landscape with unique holidays and traditions. This article offers an overview of the main Dutch holidays, highlighting the difference between those that typically offer a day off and those that don’t.
Is everyone entitled to a day off on public holidays?
While the Netherlands has official public holidays, there is no law requiring all employers to grant employees these days off. In sectors like hospitality, healthcare, and transport, it’s common for employees to work during all public holidays. Your entitlement to time off or compensation on public holidays will usually be outlined in your employment contract or a Collective Labor Agreement (CAO).
An overview of Dutch public holidays
- New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag): January 1st. A day for fresh starts and celebrations, also marked by the Dutch custom of the “Nieuwjaarsduik” (New Year’s Dive), where thousands of brave souls take a plunge into the icy cold waters of the North Sea. This tradition, which started in the 1960s, is now a popular event held at various locations across the country, with the biggest New Year’s Dive taking place at Scheveningen beach. Participants receive an orange winter hat before the dive and a cup of hot soup afterward.
- Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag): The Friday before Easter Sunday. It’s more common for government workers, schools, and some offices to have the day off. However, many businesses, especially in retail and hospitality, remain open.
- Easter Sunday (Eerste Paasdag) and Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag): Celebrated usually in March or April. A Christian holiday marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ, with families often gathering for meals and egg hunts.
- King’s Day (Koningsdag): April 27th (April 26th if the 27th falls on a Sunday). Arguably the biggest public holiday in the country, on King’s Day the Netherlands celebrates the birthday of King Willem-Alexander with nationwide festivities, musical performances, flea markets (“vrijmarkten”), and orange-themed parties.
- Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag): May 5th. While Liberation Day is observed annually on May 5th to commemorate the end of World War II, it is only a public holiday with a nationwide day off every five years.
- Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag): A Christian holiday celebrated 39 days after Easter Sunday.
- Whit Sunday (Eerste Pinksterdag) and Whit Monday (Tweede Pinksterdag): A Christian holiday celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday.
- Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag) and Boxing Day (Tweede Kerstdag): December 25th and 26th. A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Families typically gather for festive meals and gift-giving.
Dutch public holidays in 2025
- New Year’s Day: Wednesday, January 1st
- Good Friday: Friday, April 18th
- Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 20th
- Easter Monday: Monday, April 21st
- King’s Day: Sunday, April 27th (but celebrated on Saturday, April 26th)
- Liberation Day: Monday, May 5th
- Ascension Day: Thursday, May 29th
- Whit Sunday: Sunday, June 8th
- Whit Monday: Monday, June 9th
- Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25th
- Boxing Day: Friday, December 26th
Other Dutch holidays and how they are celebrated
In addition to the public holidays, several other holidays and observances are celebrated in the Netherlands. These don’t usually offer days off but are still culturally significant:
- Saint Nicholas Day (Sinterklaasavond): December 5th. A cherished tradition where Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) arrives by steamboat from Spain in mid-November, bringing along his horse and helpers. Children eagerly await his arrival, leaving their shoes by the fireplace with carrots for the horse and hoping to receive gifts and treats. The evening of December 5th is filled with excitement as families gather for gift-giving, poems, and traditional sweets like pepernoten, speculaas and chocolate letters.
- New Year’s Eve (Oudejaarsavond): December 31st. A night for celebrating the end of the year and welcoming the new one, often with fireworks and parties. Traditional snacks like oliebollen (deep-fried dough balls) and apple fritters (appelflappen) are popular treats enjoyed during the festivities.
- International Women’s Day (Internationale Vrouwendag): March 8th. A global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
- Mother’s Day (Moederdag): Celebrated on the second Sunday of May.
- Father’s Day (Vaderdag): Celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
- Pride Amsterdam: A week-long celebration of LGBTQ+ rights and culture, typically held in late July or early August.
- Sint Maarten (St. Martin’s Day): November 11th. Primarily celebrated in the northern and eastern parts of the Netherlands, children carry lanterns and sing songs as they go door-to-door, receiving candy and treats.
Familiarising yourself with the Dutch holiday calendar can enhance your appreciation of the local culture and help you plan your personal and professional life accordingly. If you have any questions about specific holidays or their potential impact on your work schedule, we encourage you to discuss them with your employer or colleagues.
