Want to learn how the Dutch celebrate their public holidays and what makes them so special? Holiday traditions in Netherlands are more than just days off; they are a celebration of history, culture, and togetherness.
You’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll explore:
- Sinterklaas and its magical traditions
- Koningsdag, the grand celebration of the king’s birthday
- Ascension Day and its early morning outdoor customs
- The cozy gatherings around Christmas and New Year’s Eve
Keep reading to uncover the heartwarming and joyful customs that make Dutch holidays unforgettable!
National Holiday Traditions
In the Netherlands, national holidays are filled with color, tradition, and a lot of fun. One of the biggest celebrations is King’s Day on April 27th, when everyone wears orange, joins street parties, and enjoys lively flea markets.
Around Christmas, families gather for cozy meals over two days, often sharing homemade dishes and gourmetten, a fun style of table-top cooking.
Children especially look forward to Sinterklaas on December 5th, when Saint Nicholas arrives with gifts, sweets, and lots of excitement! There’s also New Year’s Eve, full of fireworks, oliebollen (delicious deep-fried dough balls), and even some brave souls diving into icy waters for a fresh start to the year.
Other important days include Liberation Day on May 5th, celebrating the end of WWII with music festivals, and Remembrance Day on May 4th, when the entire country pauses for two minutes of silence. In the south, Carnaval brings colorful costumes and parades before Lent begins.
The Dutch also enjoy spring traditions like Ascension Day, when early morning walks in nature are a favorite. Whether it’s Prinsjesdag with royal speeches and fancy hats or children singing for treats during Sint Maarten, every holiday in the Netherlands is a wonderful mix of history, family, and cheerful celebration!
Want to learn more about these exciting holidays and traditions? Keep reading to discover the unique celebrations of the Netherlands!
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1. Sinterklaas
Sinterklaas is one of the most magical and beloved traditions in the Netherlands! Celebrated on December 5th and 6th, it’s a time filled with excitement, especially for children.
Sinterklaas, a kind and generous figure, arrives from Spain by boat along with his helpers. Kids leave out their shoes with a carrot and water for Sinterklaas’s horse, Ozosnel, hoping to wake up to little gifts and treats.
The season is full of fun traditions like singing songs, sharing humorous poems, enjoying delicious treats like pepernoten, and of course, spending cozy time with family.
The biggest celebration happens on Pakjesavond, when families exchange gifts, laugh over funny poems, and enjoy a festive meal together. Even Dutch communities abroad, like in California, keep the spirit of Sinterklaas alive with special events and visits from the good Saint himself!
Whether in the Netherlands or far away, Sinterklaas is all about joy, togetherness, and creating warm memories that everyone cherishes year after year.
2. Koningsdag
Koningsdag, or King’s Day, is one of the biggest and most colorful celebrations in the Netherlands, taking place every year on April 27th to honor King Willem Alexander’s birthday.
On this joyful day, the whole country transforms into a sea of orange; the national color tied to the royal House of Orange.
Streets fill with music, dancing, and fun fairs, while flea markets (called “vrijmarkts”) pop up everywhere, where people sell second-hand treasures and homemade goodies.
From big cities like Amsterdam to small villages, everyone joins in the excitement, making it one of the happiest days of the year.
The fun actually starts the night before with King’s Night, featuring lively street parties, live music, and festivals in cities like The Hague and Eindhoven. A special tradition on Koningsdag is the King and his family visiting a different Dutch city each year to join the celebrations.
Whether they’re playing silly games like bite-the-cake, dancing on the streets, or simply enjoying the cheerful atmosphere, King’s Day is a fantastic way to experience Dutch pride and have a blast; just don’t forget to wear something orange!
3. Ascension Day
Ascension Day, known as Hemelvaart in the Netherlands, is a national holiday celebrated 40 days after Easter. It marks the Christian belief that Jesus ascended into heaven, and many people attend special church services.
A traditional custom called dauwtrappen (“kicking the dew”) involves waking up early to walk or cycle barefoot through the morning dew, which was once believed to have healing powers. Although this tradition is less common today, many still enjoy early morning outings in nature.
Public life in the Netherlands slows down significantly on Ascension Day. Schools, offices, and many stores are closed, and people often use the opportunity to take a long weekend vacation. Events such as festivals, concerts, and sports activities are organized across the country.
While Dutch society has become more secular, Hemelvaart remains a meaningful day both for religious observance and for enjoying the spring weather with family and friends.
Christmas Holiday Traditions in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, Christmas traditions are warm, family-centered, and full of cozy charm. One special tradition is Tweede Kerstdag, or Second Christmas Day, celebrated on December 26th.
After enjoying a big meal with family on the First Christmas Day, the Dutch spend the second day visiting friends or in-laws, going for walks, and relaxing together.
A popular way to celebrate is with gourmetten; a fun and interactive table grill where everyone cooks small dishes together, adding to the festive joy and gezelligheid, the famous Dutch feeling of coziness.
Another cherished custom is decorating the Kerstboom, or Christmas tree, which happens after Sinterklaas on December 5th. Dutch families add lights, cookies called kerstkransjes, and even Delft Blue ornaments for a traditional touch.
Public tree lightings, like the one in Amsterdam’s Dam Square, also bring people together to celebrate the season.
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4. Tweede Kerstdag
Tweede Kerstdag, or Second Christmas Day, is a beloved tradition in the Netherlands, celebrated on December 26th. While the First Christmas Day focuses on a large family meal, Tweede Kerstdag is more relaxed, often spent visiting in-laws, friends, and extended family.
Many families enjoy leftovers from their Christmas feast, go for leisurely walks, or attend church services.
Rooted in Christian history, this second day of celebration was originally dedicated to Saint Stephen and reflects the Dutch love for extended festivities and quality family time.
Over the centuries, the Dutch once celebrated up to four Christmas days, but today only two remain. On Tweede Kerstdag, families might gather for another cozy meal, often around a “gourmetten” table grill, where everyone cooks their own food.
Some people enjoy outdoor activities or visit museums and parks, while others relax at home watching special holiday programs.
Unlike other holidays, the emphasis is less on presents and more on togetherness, making Tweede Kerstdag a warm and meaningful end to the Christmas celebrations.
5. Gourmetten
Gourmetten is a beloved Dutch Christmas tradition where families gather around a tabletop grill and cook their own small meals using little pans.
This cozy and interactive dining experience, known for its “gezelligheid” (a warm, friendly atmosphere), features a spread of meats, vegetables, seafood, and even tiny pancakes or omelets.
Each person cooks what they like, making it a relaxed and joyful way to spend time together without one person being stuck in the kitchen. Gourmetten usually involves lots of dipping sauces, fresh bread, and salads, adding to the festive spirit.
The tradition of gourmetten became popular in the Netherlands in the late 1970s, thanks to a marketing campaign by the Dutch meat industry that aimed to promote meat consumption during the holidays.
Inspired partly by the rise of cheese fondue, gourmetten quickly caught on as a fun and easy way to celebrate Christmas.
Today, even though supermarkets offer ready-made meat packages, many Dutch families continue to enjoy this social and delicious tradition, making gourmetten a lasting symbol of holiday togetherness.
6. Kerstbomen
In the Netherlands, Christmas trees, or Kerstbomen, are a big part of the holiday season. They appear in homes and public places after Sinterklaas Eve on December 5th.
Unlike other countries where trees go up earlier, Dutch families wait until after Sinterklaas to decorate their trees with lights, decorations, and special cookies called kerstkransjes. Some families also add Delft Blue ornaments for a traditional touch, making the space feel warm and festive.
Public Christmas trees are also important, especially in places like Dam Square in Amsterdam, where the tree lighting is a big event with music and singing.
The Christmas tree marks the start of the Christmas season in the Netherlands, after the Sinterklaas celebrations. Decorating and eating the tasty ornaments on Christmas Day makes it a fun tradition for families.
Public Holidays in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, public holidays are celebrated with a mix of rich traditions, family gatherings, and joyful activities. Some holidays, like Oud en Nieuw (New Year’s Eve), are marked by lively celebrations with fireworks and traditional treats, while others, such as Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag), hold a more solemn and reflective atmosphere, often leading into the Easter weekend.
Pinksteren (Pentecost) also brings joy as families enjoy time together, and people embrace outdoor activities to welcome the changing season.
If you’re curious about how the Dutch celebrate these holidays and what traditions make them special, read on! Learn more about the customs surrounding Oud en Nieuw, Good Friday, and Pinksteren, and how these traditions continue to play an important role in Dutch culture.
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7. Oud en Nieuw (New year’s eve)
In the Netherlands, New Year’s Eve is called Oud en Nieuw, meaning “Old and New.” It is a time when families gather at home to enjoy meals, play games, and watch TV while waiting for midnight.
A big part of the tradition is eating special treats like oliebollen (deep-fried dough balls) and appelbeignets (apple fritters), which are believed to bring good luck.
As midnight approaches, people go outside to light fireworks or watch dazzling public displays. It is also common to watch the Eindejaarsconference, a satirical TV show that humorously reviews the past year’s events.
After celebrating late into the night, New Year’s Day is usually quieter, but some people take part in a chilly tradition called the Nieuwjaarsduik (New Year’s Dive), plunging into the cold North Sea and warming up afterward with hot soup.
Fireworks are especially important during Oud en Nieuw, filling the streets with noise and bright colors to drive away bad spirits and welcome a fresh start. Throughout the country, people greet each other warmly with a kiss and say, “Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!” meaning “Happy New Year!”
8. Goede Vrijdag (Good Friday)
In the Netherlands, Good Friday; called “Goede Vrijdag”, is a meaningful day that remembers the crucifixion of Jesus. While it’s an important Christian holiday, it’s not a full public holiday for everyone. Some government offices and schools may close, but many businesses stay open as usual.
For Christians, it’s a time of quiet reflection and prayer, leading into the Easter celebrations. Even though the country has many non-religious people, Good Friday still holds a special place as the start of the Easter weekend.
Good Friday and Easter are celebrated with a mix of old traditions and fun activities. Some people go to church for special services, while others enjoy time with family and friends. During Easter, it’s common to have big breakfasts, brunches, or dinners together.
A fun tradition is hiding decorated eggs in gardens for children to find; often with the help of the “Easter Bunny.” Even in schools, kids enjoy painting colorful eggs. It’s a lovely mix of faith, family, and welcoming the new spring season.
9. Pinksteren
In the Netherlands, Pinksteren (Pentecost) is a joyful holiday that happens seven weeks after Easter. It celebrates the moment when the Holy Spirit came to the apostles, marking the start of the Christian church.
While it has deep religious roots with church services, baptisms, and confirmations, many people today also enjoy it as a relaxing long weekend.
It’s a public holiday, giving most people a chance to take time off from work and school.
Today, Pinksteren is a mix of old traditions and fun new ones. Many Dutch people spend the weekend outdoors, going camping, cycling, or visiting gardens. Big events like the famous Pinkpop music festival also happen during this time.
There are even fun old traditions like “Ringsteken,” where people try to catch rings while riding horses. Whether it’s for church, family, or fun in the sun, Pinksteren is a special time for people to relax and reconnect.
Holiday Traditions in Netherlands: A Recap
In conclusion, holiday traditions in the Netherlands mix history, culture, and fun. From Sinterklaas and King’s Day to cozy meals with gourmetten and Tweede Kerstdag, each celebration shows the Dutch love for family and togetherness.
Whether it’s the fireworks on New Year’s Eve, the quiet of Ascension Day, or the outdoor fun of Pinksteren, Dutch holidays bring people together. These traditions, both Christian and non-religious, help create warmth and unity, making them an important part of Dutch culture.