If you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands or settling in as an expat, you’ll want to know about the country’s public holidays. It makes life a bit easier when you can plan your travel, work, and expectations ahead of time. The Dutch calendar has a quirky mix of religious and national holidays. Some might catch you off guard, especially if you’re used to the American system.
Dutch public holidays don’t really match up with American federal holidays. There isn’t a law that automatically gives you the day off just because it’s a national holiday. Your employer and your contract call the shots. Some holidays stick to old Christian traditions, while others are all about Dutch history and pride.
If you’re new to expat life in the Netherlands, getting familiar with these dates early on really helps you settle in. Trust me, it saves a lot of hassle when you suddenly find the shops shut or see the streets packed with orange everywhere.
Most Dutch employers do give time off for the big holidays, and plenty of businesses close or cut their hours. Still, it pays to know which days are official and which are just traditions—otherwise, you could end up confused or missing out on the fun.
Official Public Holidays And What They Include
The Netherlands recognizes several public holidays that come from both Christian traditions and national history. These holidays pop up all through the year, from January to December. Most of them have fixed dates, but a few move around because of Easter.
Nieuwjaarsdag, or New Year’s Day, lands on January 1. People celebrate with fireworks the night before, and some daredevils even dive into the freezing North Sea. Most workers get the whole day off.
Goede Vrijdag, or Good Friday, falls on the Friday before Easter. It’s on the official government list of public holidays, but not every employer treats it as a paid day off. You’ll want to check your own contract to be sure.
Pasen, or Easter, brings two days: Eerste Paasdag (Easter Sunday) and Tweede Paasdag (Easter Monday). Families gather for brunch, egg hunts, and springtime outings. If you’re looking for something to do, maybe try one of these day trips from Amsterdam.
Koningsdag, celebrated on April 27, marks King Willem-Alexander’s birthday. This is probably the wildest day in the Dutch calendar—streets everywhere explode with orange, markets, music, and parties. It’s one of the few holidays that’s formally established by law.
Bevrijdingsdag, or Liberation Day, falls on May 5 and remembers the end of World War II occupation in 1945. The government recognizes it every year, but a lot of employers only give a paid day off once every five years.
Hemelvaartsdag, or Ascension Day, always lands on a Thursday, 39 days after Easter. Many people take Friday off too, which turns it into a four-day weekend. In 2026, it falls on May 14.
Pinksteren, or Whitsun, comes with Eerste Pinksterdag (Whit Sunday) and Tweede Pinksterdag (Whit Monday), 49 and 50 days after Easter. People observe these days, but they’re usually quieter than Koningsdag.
Kerstmis, or Dutch Christmas, stretches over two days: Eerste Kerstdag (December 25) and Tweede Kerstdag (December 26). Christmas here is mostly about family, big meals, gifts, and cozy gatherings. If you’re in the city during the holidays, check out some of Amsterdam’s must-visit chocolate shops for a treat.
Do You Automatically Get The Day Off?
Here’s where the Dutch approach can trip up newcomers. Unlike in the US, where federal holidays usually mean a day off for government and many private workers, Dutch law doesn’t make your employer give you public holidays off.
The Dutch government doesn’t require employers to grant leave on public holidays. Whether you get the day off really depends on your contract or your sector’s collective labor agreement—called a CAO (Collectieve Arbeidsovereenkomst).
A lot of internationals working in the Netherlands find it surprising when their colleagues are off but they’re still expected to show up.
In reality, most Dutch employers do include public holidays as paid days off. But if your contract doesn’t mention them, your boss can schedule you for work anyway. This happens a lot in hospitality, healthcare, and retail. If you end up working on a public holiday and your contract or CAO doesn’t talk about it, you might not even get extra pay.
Before you start a new job, read your contract closely. Look for anything about “feestdagen” (holidays) and see if your sector has a CAO that covers public holiday leave. Knowing your salary and payslip details can help you figure out if holiday pay is included.
National Traditions And Non-Official Celebrations
In the Netherlands, people celebrate more than just the official public holidays. Some cultural traditions feel just as important, even though nobody gets a day off for them.
Sinterklaas probably tops the list. Every year on December 5, families gather for Pakjesavond, a night filled with gifts, silly poems, and plenty of excitement. Sint Nicolaas arrives by steamboat in mid-November, and honestly, for kids, Sinterklaas often outshines Christmas. Walk past any toy store in Amsterdam in late November, and you’ll see the buzz.
King Willem-Alexander celebrates his birthday on April 27, and the whole country joins in. Sure, Koningsdag is an official holiday, but the traditions run deep. Flea markets pop up everywhere, canal boats blast live music, and the streets turn a wild shade of orange. Want the best view? Try one of the best rooftop bars in Amsterdam and watch the festivities from above.
On May 4, the Netherlands observes Remembrance Day. At 8:00 PM, the country pauses for two minutes of silence to honor war victims. The next day, Bevrijdingsdag, marks the celebration of freedom. Down south, Carnival brings wild costumes and parties to the provinces in February or March, though it isn’t recognized everywhere.
If you’re new here, jumping into these traditions is a great way to connect with Dutch culture and drink traditions. Maybe you’ll find yourself feeling at home a little sooner than expected.