Holidays in the 2016

Please find an overview of the Dutch holidays in the table and additional information about events marked with a * below.

Name holiday Date holiday Type holiday New Year’s Day January 1 National holiday Valentine’s Day February 14 Observance March 25 Observance March 27 National holiday Easter Monday March 28 National holiday King’s Day* April 27 National holiday Remembrance Day May 4 Observance Liberation Day* May 5 Observance Ascension Day May 5 National holiday Mother’s Day May 8 Observance Whit Sunday May 15 National holiday Whit Monday May 16 National holiday Father’s Day June 19 Observance St. Martin’s Day November 11 Observance Saint Nicholas* December 5 Observance Eve December 24 Observance Christmas Day December 25 National holiday Second day of Christmas December 26 National holiday New Year’s Eve December 31 Observance

A little history about some Dutch events:

King’s Day (Koningsdag)

Since 2014, on the 27th of April, the Dutch celebrate Kings Day. Every city hosts a variety of events, from festivals to fares. is well known for celebrating this festivity. A lot of Dutch inhabitants from all over the country, all dressed in the national color . Travel to Amsterdam on this special day and join the festivities! At Kings night (Koningsnacht) the night before King’s Day, various events already take place all over the city. This national holiday used to be on the 30th of April and was called Queens Day, when princess Beatrix was still the Dutch queen.

Liberation Day

Every year on the 4th of May the Dutch have ‘Dodenherdenking’. Internationally known as remembrance of the people who fought and died during World War II. Throughout the country, two minutes of silence are observed at 8 p.m. The next day, on the 5th of May, the liberation of the Netherlands and freedom are celebrated with festivals all over the country. The ‘Museumplein’ (Museum Square), is the centre of celebrations.

Saint Nicholas

In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas’ on the 5th of December is a family tradition; a holiday especially for children. As a metaphor for his good deeds, Saint Nicholas gives presents instead of receiving them. The arrival of Saint Nicholas in Amsterdam is a huge event drawing thousands of spectators. Saint Nicholas and his attendants (called Zwarte Pieten) arrive by boat (from Spain as the tale goes) and then go in parade through the city while handing out special candy called ‘pepernoten’ to the kids.