KNM: Dutch Holidays & Traditions
The Netherlands has official public holidays and many cultural celebrations. An official holiday does not automatically mean every employee has a day off;...
The Netherlands has official public holidays and many cultural celebrations. An official holiday does not automatically mean every employee has a day off; your CAO or work contract says this. Schools are usually closed on official holidays. Sinterklaas (December 5) is important for gift-giving, and Koningsdag (April 27) turns the country orange.
| Date | Holiday | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Nieuwjaarsdag | New Year's Day; people wish each other a happy new year |
| Movable | Goede Vrijdag | Good Friday; official holiday, but not everyone is free from work |
| Movable | Pasen | Easter Sunday and Monday; family visits, brunch, eggs, and school/work closures |
| Apr 27 | Koningsdag | King's Day; orange clothes, flea markets, music, and local events |
| May 5 | Bevrijdingsdag | Liberation Day; freedom festivals and remembrance of liberation after WWII |
| Movable | Hemelvaartsdag | Ascension Day; always on a Thursday, often a long weekend |
| Movable | Pinksteren | Pentecost Sunday and Monday; official holiday weekend |
| Dec 25-26 | Kerstmis | Christmas Day and Boxing Day; family meals and church or home celebrations |
| Date/Time | Cultural Day | What People Often Do |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 14 | Valentijnsdag | Some people give cards, flowers, or small gifts |
| Before Easter | Carnaval | Especially in Brabant and Limburg: costumes, parades, music, and parties |
| May 4 | Dodenherdenking | Two minutes of silence at 20:00 to remember war victims |
| May/June | Moederdag / Vaderdag | Children often give a card, breakfast, flowers, or a small present |
| Nov 11 | Sint Maarten | In some regions children walk with lanterns and sing for sweets |
| Dec 5 | Sinterklaasavond | Families give presents, poems, surprises, pepernoten, and chocolate letters |
| Dec 31 | Oud en Nieuw | People eat oliebollen and appelflappen and watch fireworks at midnight |
Examples
- Wat doe je met Sinterklaas?
- What do you do on Sinterklaas?
- We geven cadeautjes met een gedicht.
- We give presents with a poem.
- Op Koningsdag is er overal een vrijmarkt.
- On King's Day there are flea markets everywhere.
- Kerst vieren we met familie.
- We celebrate Christmas with family.
Study note
If Koningsdag falls on a Sunday, it's celebrated on the 26th instead. Sinterklaas gifts often come with a humorous poem poking fun at the recipient - it's meant lovingly! 'Oliebollen' are eaten at New Year's, 'pepernoten' during Sinterklaas season.
Practice after reading
Train knowledge of Dutch society with timed KNM practice questions.