Public holidays are considered the most important nationwide events. Below you’ll find a list of the public holidays in the Netherlands from 2022-2023. We’ve also compiled some useful cultural insights for travelers and expats.
Types of Public Holidays in the Netherlands
There are two types of public holidays in the Netherlands. While most public holidays fall on the same day every year, others vary from year to year.
Holidays with a Fixed Date
Public holidays with a fixed date are based on the so-called Gregorian calendar. That’s the calendar used in the Netherlands (and many parts of the worlds) consisting of 365 days. These are the public holidays recurring every year on the same day:
Date | Public Holiday | Name in Dutch |
---|---|---|
1 January | New Year’s Day | Nieuwjaarsdag |
27 April | King’s Day | Koningsdag |
5 May | Liberation Day (every 5 years!) | Bevrijdingsdag |
25 December | Christmas (First Christmas Day) | Eerste kerstdag |
26 December | Christmas (Boxing Day) | Tweede kerstdag |
Note: National Remembrance Day (4 May), Sinterklaas (5 December), Christmas Eve (24 December) and New Year’s Eve (31 December) are not official public holidays in the Netherlands.
Holidays with a Variable Date
Public holidays with a variable date are based on a centuries-old tradition. The first date to be determined is Easter. Easter takes place on the first Sunday after the full moon falling on or after 21 March. That being said, Easter always takes place between 22 March and 25 April each year. The dates of any other public holidays in the Netherlands which are related to Easter are based accordingly.
Below is the full list of public holidays in the Netherlands for which you need to check the date each year.
Public Holiday | Name in Dutch |
---|---|
Good Friday | Goede Vrijdag |
Easter Sunday | Eerste Paasdag |
Easter Monday | Tweede Paasdag |
Ascension Day | Hemelvaartsdag |
Whit Sunday (Pentecost) | Eerste Pinksterdag (Pinksteren) |
Whit Monday (Pentecost) | Tweede Pinksterdag (Tweede Pinksteren) |
Public Holidays Netherlands 2022
Public Holiday 2022 | Occasion |
---|---|
1 January 2022 | New Year’s Day |
15 April 2022 | Good Friday |
17 April 2022 | Easter Sunday |
18 April 2022 | Easter Monday |
27 April 2022 | King’s Day |
26 May 2022 | Ascension Day |
5 June 2022 | Whit Sunday (Pentecost) |
6 June 2022 | Whit Monday (Pentecost) |
25 December 2022 | Christmas |
26 December 2022 | Christmas (Boxing Day) |
Public Holidays Netherlands 2023
Public Holiday 2023 | Occasion |
---|---|
1 January 2023 | New Year’s Day |
7 April 2023 | Good Friday |
9 April 2023 | Easter Sunday |
10 April 2023 | Easter Monday |
27 April 2023 | King’s Day |
18 May 2023 | Ascension Day |
28 May 2023 | Whit Sunday (Pentecost) |
29 May 2023 | Whit Monday (Pentecost) |
25 December 2023 | Christmas |
26 December 2023 | Christmas (Boxing Day) |