Upcoming Events in Netherlands

The Netherlands is a constituent country of the North West Europe with a total area of 41,543 km sq and a population of 16,751,323. It consists of 12 provinces and three Islands (in the Caribbean Sea). Capital of Netherlands, often referred to as Holland, is Amsterdam. The Dutch people observe 13 main public holidays every year. The government of Netherlands can also declare a public holiday on a special occasion.

Instructions

  • 1

    New Year’s Day: The Dutch people celebrate the beginning of the new solar calendar, called New Year’s Day on January 1 each year. The day preceding the New Year’s Day is called ‘Old Year’s Day’ in Netherlands, rather than the customary ‘New Year’s Eve’.

  • 2

    Easter: Easter is a movable festival celebrated on the first Sunday after full moon any time between March 22 and April 25. It is a Christian festival celebrated to commemorate the renaissance of Jesus Christ just three days after the crucifixion of Jesus at Calvary. It may be noted here that the Dutch people celebrate Ester on the subsequent Monday as well.

    Queen’s Day: Queen’s day is observed on April 30 every year to celebrate the birthday of the Queen-mother Juliana (late). If April 30 is a Sunday, Queen’s Day is celebrated a day before. April 30, 2013 will be the last Queen’s Day the Dutch people will celebrate; from 2014 onwards it will become King’s Day and will be celebrated on April 27 (William Alexander’s date of birth) every year.

  • 3

    Liberation Day: The Government of Netherlands observes Liberation Day on 5th May every year, to celebrate the defeat of German forces in World War II (1939-45). The day is celebrated annually but a public holiday is observed once in five years.

    Ascension Day: The Christian community in Netherlands observes Ascension Day 40 days after Ester Sunday. Though it is also a movable feast, depending upon Easter, it mostly falls in May.

    Pentecost: Pentecost is also a Christian festival correlated with Easter and is celebrated seven weeks after the Easter Sunday. This is also observed sometime in May.

  • 4

    Saint Nicholas' Eve: It is celebrated on December 5 every year. It is not a national holiday. It is part of pre-Christmas celebrations where Sinterklaas gives gifts to the children.

    Christmas: Just like Easter, the Dutch also celebrate two days of Christmas on December 25 and 26.

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