New Year's Day (Nieuwjaarsdag, January 1) marks the beginning of the calendar year in the Netherlands. After New Year's Eve celebrations, the day is typically quiet and family-oriented. A famous tradition is the Nieuwjaarsduik (New Year's Dive), where thousands of people plunge into the freezing North Sea, especially at Scheveningen, often wearing orange beanies and warming up afterward with erwtensoep (pea soup).

Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag, Friday before Easter) commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It appears on the official Dutch public-holiday list, but whether employees actually get the day off depends on their collective labour agreement or employment contract. Schools, government offices, and banks are often closed, while many shops remain open.

Easter Sunday (Eerste Paasdag) celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is an official public holiday in the Netherlands. Families often gather for festive meals, church services, and spring activities. A classic seasonal treat is paasstol, a sweet fruit bread filled with almond paste.

Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag, Monday after Easter) is a nationwide public holiday and one of the most popular long weekend days in the Netherlands. Many people go shopping, visit family, or take short trips. Tourist attractions and shopping centers are often busy.

King's Day (Koningsdag, April 27) celebrates the birthday of King Willem-Alexander and is one of the most iconic Dutch holidays. The country turns orange as millions join street festivals and the vrijmarkt, the only day of the year when anyone can sell second-hand goods on the street without a permit. In many cities the celebrations begin the night before as Koningsnacht, and orange tompoes pastries are a classic treat of the day.

Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag, May 5) commemorates the liberation of the Netherlands at the end of World War II. While it is an official national holiday and major music festivals such as Bevrijdingspop take place across the country, 2026 is not a lustrum year, so most private-sector employees will generally be expected to work unless their CAO or employer provides the day off. The next widely recognised lustrum year is 2030.

Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag, Thursday 40 days after Easter) commemorates the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven and is a public holiday in the Netherlands. Many people use the Friday after it as a bridge day for a long weekend, and the season is often associated with the first local strawberries of the year.

Pentecost Sunday (Eerste Pinksterdag) marks the descent of the Holy Spirit and is a public holiday in the Netherlands. It is traditionally a quieter holiday with church services, family time, and early-summer outings, often arriving around the start of Dutch strawberry season.

Whit Monday (Tweede Pinksterdag, Monday after Pentecost) is a public holiday and one of the most popular days for leisure activities. People often visit nature parks, attend events, or enjoy short holidays. Many shops and attractions are open and busy.

Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag, December 25) is a major family holiday in the Netherlands. Families gather for festive meals, attend church services, and spend time together. A quintessential Dutch Christmas tradition is gourmetten, where everyone cooks tiny portions of meat and vegetables at the table on a shared grill, often followed by slices of kerststol filled with almond paste.

Second Day of Christmas (Tweede Kerstdag, December 26) is also a public holiday and is commonly spent visiting relatives, shopping, or relaxing. Many stores and leisure venues are open, making it a popular day for outings.