Public holidays and other special days in the Netherlands:
Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag)
Friday April 6 2012
The Friday before Easter. A public holiday, most shops
and banks are closed.
Easter (Pasen)
Sunday April 8 2012 - Monday April 9 2012
Official public holiday, during two days, including the Monday.
Shops and banks are closed on first Easter day, some larger stores
may be open on second Easter day.
Queen's Day / Koninginnedag
Monday April 30 2012
An official holiday, on which the Queen's birthday is
celebrated.
Amsterdam turns into a huge open air flea market / garage sale,
attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
Public transport in the city is difficult, trains to and from
Central Station are crowded.
Herdenkingsdag / Commemoration Day
Friday May 4 2012
Not an official holiday, this day the victims of World
War II are commemorated. At 8 pm two minutes of silence
is observed (traffic will halt, cafes stop their
music, etc.). Around this time Queen Beatrix will lay
flowers at the National Monument on Dam Square, which
is also broadcast live on tv. The square will be
blocked for the occasion.
Bevrijdingsdag / Liberation Day
Saturday May 5 2012
Directly following Commemoration Day, on this day the
liberation from the German occupation is celebrated.
Usually, there is a flea market throughout Amsterdam,
and several festivities (but everything on a smaller scale than
Queen's Day).
Hemelvaartsdag / Ascension Day
Thursday May 17 2012
Public holiday.
Shops and banks are closed. Because this is on a Thursday, a lot of
people take a long weekend off. The Friday in between will be quiet
on the road and service in shops and offices may be lower than
normal.
Pinksteren / Pentacost
Sunday May 27 2012 - Monday May 28 2012
Public holiday. Monday is also an official holiday. Banks and most
shops will be closed, but, traditionally, big stores (like furniture
stores) may be open on the Monday.
Sinterklaas
Wednesday December 5 2012
Not a public holiday. 'Sinterklaas' is a children's
party at which they get presents. It's a bit like
Santa Claus, except Sinterklaas rides a white horse,
lives in Spain, arrives from Spain on his steam boat,
and is assisted by black helpers ('Zwarte Pieten').
Kerstmis / Christmas
Tuesday December 25 2012 - Wednesday December 26 2012
In Holland there is first and second Christmas Day, both official
holidays. Banks and shops are closed on December 25, shops can be open
on December 26.
Restaurants can be open (some are closed). Especially for the better
restaurants it is normally necessary to make early reservations.
Public transport works, but may be limited.
Oudjaarsdag / New Year's Eve
Monday December 31 2012
Not an official holiday. Shops and offices are open, but may close
earlier than normal.
Lots of firework at midnight, be prepared for firework earlier on
the day also.
Amsterdam public transport traditionally stops working between 8 PM
and midnight. From midnight, the nightbuses will work.
Nieuwjaarsdag / New Year's Day
Tuesday January 1 2013
Official holiday. Banks and shops are closed.
Public transport works, but may be limited.
