Simply Amsterdam

Simply Amsterdam
 

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.


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