Holidays

Holidays in the Netherlands

Nearly half of the Dutch population is not religiously affiliated – a top figure in Europe. Nevertheless, the majority of holidays here still have a church origin. All Saints’ Day, however, was abolished as a public holiday back in the 1960s.

Unlike in many countries, May 1, Labor Day, is not a work holiday, as are-at least in most years-the other two holidays that month. On the 5th they celebrate the liberation from the German fascists, after commemorating the Dutch dead of all wars with two minutes of silence on the 4th (“Dodenherdenking”) at 8 pm. Liberation Day is only free every five years, according to Dutch labour law.

Overview

New Year’s Day – on January 1

Karfreitag (“Goede Vrijdag”) – two days from Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday – Sunday after the first full moon in spring

Easter Monday – one day after Easter Sunday

Queens Day – on April 30

Memorial Day for the Dead (“Dodenherdenking”) – on May 4

Deliverance Day (“Bevrijdingsdag”) – on 5 May

Ascension Day – 39 days after Easter Sunday

Pentecost Sunday – 49 days after Easter Sunday

Pentecost Monday – 50 days after Easter Sunday

Christmas Day – December 25

Second Christmas Day – December 26

Worth knowing about selected holidays

Easter

Dutch Easter traditions are very related to German ones. Here, too, people dye Easter eggs, light Easter fires and know the Easter bunny, although this – Easter is called “Pasen” – has the beautiful name “Paashaas”. And of course, extended meals and getting together with the family are part of the celebration.

A culinary specialty is the “Paasbrood,” an Easter stollen not unlike the German Christmas stollen, served at the end of the meal on Easter Sunday. The custom of children from the neighbourhood ringing the doorbell and loudly demanding sweets – similar to Halloween in this country – is also part of the Dutch Easter traditions.

Charlem Friday (“Goede Vrijdag”) was also work-free until a few years ago. However, as a consequence of increasing secularization, this no longer applies. Although some authorities and public institutions as well as many schools remain closed, most companies are working and also the shops are open.

It is precisely the latter circumstance that leads not only to a rush of shoppers from neighbouring Germany, but also regularly to the associated traffic and parking problems.

King Day

This national holiday was introduced as “Princess Day” on August 31, 1889, the birthday of Princess Wilhelmina. With the coronation of Princess Juliana, “Koninginnendag” was moved to her birthday, 30 April, in 1949.

Only gradually did it become free for all Dutch people – today the rule is that should 30 April fall on a Sunday, the holiday is brought forward by one day. When Queen Beatrix ascended the throne in 1980, she stipulated that in memory of her mother, April 30 should remain Queen’s Day.

One reason for keeping this date was not least the fact that on Beatrix’s own birthday, 31 January, worse weather was to be expected. It was feared that wind, rain or snow would not only be detrimental to the many folk festivals, concerts and markets, but would also interfere with the traditional parades.

Nevertheless, starting in 2014, the holiday will be moved forward, albeit only by a few days, to April 27. It will then be called “Konigsdag” and will fall on the birthday of Willem-Alexander, who will succeed his mother on the Dutch throne before the end of 2013.

In 2009, Queen’s Day was overshadowed by an assassination attempt on the royal family that left seven people dead.