Dutch Public Holidays Calendar
Planning a trip to the Netherlands or working with Dutch partners? Here is the complete overview of all official Dutch public holidays with dates, explanations and planning tips.
Holiday Calendar
Public holidays 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 01/01/2026 | New Year’s Day |
| 03/04/2026 | Good Friday |
| 05/04/2026 | Easter Sunday |
| 06/04/2026 | Easter Monday |
| 27/04/2026 | King’s Day |
| 05/05/2026 | Liberation Day |
| 14/05/2026 | Ascension Day |
| 24/05/2026 | Pentecost Sunday |
| 25/05/2026 | Pentecost Monday |
| 25/12/2026 | Christmas Day |
| 26/12/2026 | Boxing Day |
Note: Liberation Day is an official day off in NL mainly in lustrum years.
Public holidays 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 01/01/2027 | New Year’s Day |
| 26/03/2027 | Good Friday |
| 28/03/2027 | Easter Sunday |
| 29/03/2027 | Easter Monday |
| 27/04/2027 | King’s Day |
| 05/05/2027 | Liberation Day |
| 06/05/2027 | Ascension Day |
| 16/05/2027 | Pentecost Sunday |
| 17/05/2027 | Pentecost Monday |
| 25/12/2027 | Christmas Day |
| 26/12/2027 | Boxing Day |
Note: Liberation Day is an official day off in NL mainly in lustrum years.
Dutch Holidays 2025–2026 Quick Overview
| Holiday | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Wed 1 Jan | Thu 1 Jan |
| Good Friday (unofficial) | Fri 18 Apr | Fri 3 Apr |
| Easter Sunday | Sun 20 Apr | Sun 5 Apr |
| Easter Monday | Mon 21 Apr | Mon 6 Apr |
| King's Day | Sun 27 Apr | Mon 27 Apr |
| Liberation Day (5 May) | Mon 5 May | Tue 5 May |
| Ascension Day | Thu 29 May | Thu 14 May |
| Whit Sunday | Sun 8 Jun | Sun 24 May |
| Whit Monday | Mon 9 Jun | Mon 25 May |
| Christmas Day | Thu 25 Dec | Fri 25 Dec |
| Second Christmas Day | Fri 26 Dec | Sat 26 Dec |
Fixed vs. Moveable Holidays
- 1 January — New Year’s Day
- 27 April — King’s Day
- 5 May — Liberation Day
- 25 December — Christmas Day
- 26 December — Second Christmas Day
- Easter Sunday & Monday
- Ascension Day (always Thursday)
- Whit Sunday & Monday
- Good Friday (unofficial)
Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after 21 March.
Key Dutch Holidays Explained
King’s Day — 27 April
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The biggest national celebration in the Netherlands. Streets fill with orange-clad people, flea markets (vrijmarkt) and live music. The Royal Family traditionally visits a different Dutch city each year. Named after King Willem-Alexander (born 27 April 1967).
Liberation Day — 5 May
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Bevrijdingsdag commemorates the liberation of the Netherlands from German occupation, which ended on 5 May 1945. Festivals, concerts and markets are held throughout the country. Preceded by Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking) on 4 May, when the war dead are honoured.
Ascension Day — 39 days after Easter (always Thursday)
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A Christian holiday celebrating the ascension of Jesus Christ. Ascension Day is always on a Thursday (40 days after Easter, counting Easter Sunday as day 1). Many Dutch people take the following Friday off to create a 4-day long weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holidays does the Netherlands have?+
The Netherlands has 11 official public holidays: New Year's Day, Easter Monday (and Easter Sunday), King's Day, Liberation Day (5 May, not always a day off for employees), Ascension Day, Whit Sunday and Whit Monday, Christmas Day and Second Christmas Day. Good Friday is widely observed but not an official public holiday.
Is Liberation Day (5 May) a day off in the Netherlands?+
Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag, 5 May) is an official national holiday commemorating the end of World War II occupation in 1945. However, not all employees have the day off — it depends on your collective labour agreement (CAO). Every five years (lustrum years: 2025, 2030...), it is a mandatory day off for everyone.
When is Easter in 2026?+
Easter in 2026 falls on Sunday 5 April (Easter Sunday) and Monday 6 April (Easter Monday). Both days are official public holidays in the Netherlands. Easter Monday is the legal day off for most employees.
What is King's Day in the Netherlands?+
King's Day (Koningsdag) is celebrated on 27 April, the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. It is one of the biggest national celebrations in the Netherlands, with street markets, orange-clad festivities and concerts in cities across the country. If 27 April falls on a Sunday, the holiday moves to 26 April.
When is Ascension Day and Whit Monday in 2026?+
In 2026, Ascension Day falls on Thursday 14 May (39 days after Easter). Whit Sunday is 24 May and Whit Monday is 25 May. Both Ascension Day and Whit Monday are official public holidays in the Netherlands. Many people take the Friday after Ascension Day off to create a long weekend.