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Friday, 8 November 2024

Public holidays in the Netherlands

Holidays in the Netherlands:
DateEnglish NameLocal NameRemarks
January 1New Year's DayNieuwjaar 
March/AprilEasterPasenThe Dutch celebrate two days of Easter (on Sunday and the subsequent Monday).
April 30Queen's dayKoninginnedagOriginally, Koninginnedag was celebrated on the birthday of the queen,
Queen's day is nowadays celebrated on the birthday of the late Queen-mother (Juliana), as better weather is expected. If April 30 is a Sunday, Koninginnedag is celebrated on the April 29.
May 4Remembrance of the deadDodenherdenkingRemembrance of all members of the armed forces and civilians of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who died in war situations or peacekeeping missions since the outbreak of the Second World War.
May 5Liberation dayBevrijdingsdagCelebration of the 1945 capitulation of German forces in World War II. Celebrated every year, but as of 2000, an official holiday once every 5 years.
40 days after EasterAscension DayHemelvaartsdag 
7 weeks after EasterPentecostPinksterenThe Dutch celebrate two days of Pentecost (on Sunday and the subsequent Monday).
December 5Saint Nicholas' EveSinterklaasA predecessor of Santa Claus, Sinterklaas gives presents to the children. This is not an official holiday but it is widely observed.
December 25, December 26ChristmasKerstmisThe Dutch celebrate two days of Christmas: Eerste Kerstdag (the first day of Christmas) and Tweede Kerstdag (the second day of Christmas).