Public holidays in the Netherlands work differently than you might expect. Unlike many countries, having a “public holiday” doesn’t automatically mean you get a day off work.
Whether you actually get the day off depends on your CAO (collective labor agreement) or your individual employment contract. Check with your employer or HR department to understand your specific situation – this varies significantly between companies and sectors.
Key Public and National Holidays
Here’s a breakdown of the most important public and national holidays in the Netherlands:
Nieuwjaarsdag (New Year’s Day)
- When: January 1st
- Significance: Like most of the world, the Dutch celebrate the new year. It’s typically spent recovering from New Year’s Eve (which can get quite festive), usually with family or friends. Most businesses and shops are closed.
Goede Vrijdag (Good Friday)
- When: The Friday before Easter Sunday (date varies)
- Significance: This Christian holiday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It’s officially a public holiday, but many businesses and schools stay open. Whether you work or not really depends on your employer.
Eerste en Tweede Paasdag (Easter Sunday and Easter Monday)
- When: Dates vary, typically in March or April
- Significance: Easter is an important Christian festival in the Netherlands. Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag) is when most celebrations happen – family brunches, short trips, or just relaxing. Easter Sunday itself is quieter, as shops are closed anyway.
Koningsdag (King’s Day)
- When: April 27th (or April 26th if the 27th is a Sunday)
- Significance: This is THE biggest national holiday in the Netherlands. The entire country turns orange to celebrate King Willem-Alexander’s birthday. Expect street parties, flea markets (vrijmarkten), canal parades, and massive crowds in major cities like Amsterdam. If you only experience one Dutch holiday, make it this one.
- Worth noting: Public transport in city centers often shuts down or runs limited service. Plan ahead if you’re visiting a major city.
Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day)
- When: May 5th
- Significance: This commemorates the liberation of the Netherlands from German occupation in 1945. Every five years (2025, 2030, etc.), it’s an official day off for most workers. In other years, it’s observed but not necessarily a day off – though many companies give employees the afternoon off, and there are festivals and events throughout the country.
Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day)
- When: 40 days after Easter (always a Thursday)
- Significance: A Christian holiday marking Jesus’s ascension. Since it always falls on Thursday, many people take Friday off too to create a long weekend. It’s called “taking a bridge day” (brugdag).
Eerste en Tweede Pinksterdag (Whit Sunday and Whit Monday)
- When: 50 days after Easter Sunday (date varies)
- Significance: Also known as Pentecost, these holidays commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit. Whit Monday is the more commonly observed day, often used for short trips or outdoor activities if the weather’s good.
Eerste en Tweede Kerstdag (Christmas Day and Boxing Day)
- When: December 25th and 26th
- Significance: The Netherlands celebrates Christmas across two days. December 25th is Christmas Day proper, while December 26th (Boxing Day, or Tweede Kerstdag) continues the celebration. Both days are typically spent with family, and most businesses are closed.
- Note: Sinterklaas (December 5th) is culturally more significant to many Dutch families than Christmas itself, though it’s not an official public holiday.
Summary of Dutch Public Holidays: 2025 & 2026
Here are the dates for the public holidays in the Netherlands for 2025 and 2026:
2025
- Nieuwjaarsdag (New Year’s Day): Wednesday, January 1
- Goede Vrijdag (Good Friday): Friday, April 18
- Eerste en Tweede Paasdag (Easter Sunday and Easter Monday): Sunday, April 20 and Monday, April 21
- Koningsdag (King’s Day): Saturday, April 26 (celebrated a day earlier as April 27 falls on a Sunday)
- Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day): Monday, May 5
- Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day): Thursday, May 29
- Eerste en Tweede Pinksterdag (Whit Sunday and Whit Monday): Sunday, June 8 and Monday, June 9
- Eerste en Tweede Kerstdag (Christmas Day and Boxing Day): Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26
2026
- Nieuwjaarsdag (New Year’s Day): Thursday, January 1
- Goede Vrijdag (Good Friday): Friday, April 3
- Eerste en Tweede Paasdag (Easter Sunday and Easter Monday): Sunday, April 5 and Monday, April 6
- Koningsdag (King’s Day): Monday, April 27
- Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day): Tuesday, May 5
- Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day): Thursday, May 14
- Eerste en Tweede Pinksterdag (Whit Sunday and Whit Monday): Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25
- Eerste en Tweede Kerstdag (Christmas Day and Boxing Day): Friday, December 25 and Saturday, December 26
What This Means for You
Planning your year in the Netherlands? Keep these points in mind:
- Always check your CAO or employment contract – not all public holidays mean automatic time off
- King’s Day (April 27) shuts down major cities – avoid travel that day if you’re not celebrating
- “Bridge days” between Thursday holidays and weekends are common practice
- Shops close on Sundays AND most public holidays – stock up beforehand
- Many Dutch families take vacation weeks around Easter, summer (July-August), and Christmas
