The Netherlands in 2026 has King's Day (27 April) on a Monday โ automatic three-day orange weekend. Liberation Day (5 May) is not a full paid holiday in 2026 โ it reverts to memorial day only status until 2030.
Easter falls early (5 April). Ascension Day (14 May, Thursday) creates a bridge day opportunity. Christmas Day (25 December) falls on a Friday โ automatic three-day festive weekend into Second Christmas Day (26 December, Saturday).
Public Holidays 2026
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Nationwide Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | Thu | New Year's Day | Nationwide |
| 6 Apr 2026 | Mon | Easter Monday | Nationwide |
| 27 Apr 2026 | Mon | King's Day | Nationwide |
| 5 May 2026 | Tue | Liberation Day | Nationwide |
| 14 May 2026 | Thu | Ascension Day | Nationwide |
| 25 May 2026 | Mon | Whit Monday | Nationwide |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Fri | Christmas Day | Nationwide |
| 26 Dec 2026 | Sat | 2nd Day of Christmas | Nationwide |
School Holidays 2026
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Drenthe โ School Holidays Overview
Winter Break
21.02.2026 - 01.03.2026
Spring Break
25.04.2026 - 03.05.2026
Summer Holidays
04.07.2026 - 16.08.2026
Autumn Break
10.10.2026 - 18.10.2026
Christmas Break
19.12.2026 - 03.01.2027
Holidays by Region
DrentheFlevoland (Central)Flevoland (North)FrieslandGelderland (Central)Gelderland (North)Gelderland (South)GroningenLimburgNorth Brabant (Central)North Brabant (South)North HollandOverijsselSouth HollandUtrecht (Central)Utrecht (North)Zeeland
Frequently Asked Questions
What is King's Day in the Netherlands?
King's Day (Koningsdag) is the biggest public celebration in the Netherlands, held on 27 April (or 26 April if the 27th is a Sunday). It celebrates the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. The country turns orange, cities hold street parties and free markets, and Amsterdam's canals fill with decorated boats.
Is Liberation Day (5 May) a public holiday in the Netherlands?
Liberation Day is a national memorial day every year, but it is a full public holiday for workers only every five years (years ending in 0 or 5, e.g. 2025, 2030). On other years, most employees still work.
What are the three Dutch school regions?
The Netherlands divides its provinces into three school regions โ Noord, Midden, and Zuid โ which stagger their autumn and May half-term breaks to reduce traffic congestion. Summer and Christmas holidays are the same for all regions.
Does the Netherlands have two Christmas holidays?
Yes. The Netherlands observes both Christmas Day (25 December, Eerste Kerstdag) and Second Christmas Day (26 December, Tweede Kerstdag) as public holidays. Boxing Day is not a common term in the Netherlands, but the concept is the same.
What is Remembrance Day in the Netherlands?
Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking) is on 4 May โ the evening before Liberation Day. It is a solemn national occasion in which the entire Netherlands observes two minutes of silence at 8:00 PM to honour those who died in World War II and subsequent conflicts.