Netherlands Events and Festivals
January
New Year’s Day
Celebrations include parties and fireworks throughout the country.
February / March
Carnival
Lively celebrations take place during the weekend before Shrove Tuesday. For three days and nights many cities and towns dance, sing, jump and play on the streets and in the bars. The liveliest festivities take place in Maastricht.
March
 Maastricht Art Show
For ten days in the first half of March, Europe’s largest art show displays an impressive array of art from Vermeer to Van Gough and many others.
April
Queen’s Day (Koninginnedag)
Celebrations throughout the county take place on 30 April. The country comes alive with dancing, parades, live music, flea-market activity and people wearing orange.
May
National Windmill Day (Nationale Molendag)
On the second Saturday in May, nearly every working windmill in the country (more than 600) opens its doors to visitors. Look for the blue pennants.
Remembrance Day & Liberation Day (Herdenkingsdag & Bevrijdinsdag) May 4th and 5th are the days to honour those who lost their lives during World War II. A ceremony takes place in Amsterdam followed by live music debate and a market on the next day.
June
Amsterdam Roots Festival
For the entire month of June, the Amsterdam Roots Festival presents an adventurous programme of world music and culture. Performances are held outdoors for free as well as inside several city venues. Email info@amsterdamroots.nl for more information.
Holland Festival
The Holland Festival is the biggest extravaganza in the Dutch calendar taking place for nearly the entire month of June. Cutting-edge performances in music, dance, theatre, film and opera take place at the music venue Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ and at many other principal concert halls and theatres. Best to book early! For more information, visit www.hollandfestival.nl/
August
FFWD Dance Parade
Downtown Rotterdam turns into one big open-air techno club in early August, complete with dozens of floats and hundreds of thousands of revellers. For more information visit www.ffwdheinekendanceparade.nl
Uitmarkt
Free concerts and information booths around the big museums and Leidseplein ring in Amsterdam’s cultural season for three days in late August. Visit www.uitmarkt.nl for more information.
Lowlands Festival
Alternative music concerts and a mega-bash at Six Flags amusement park takes place during the last weekend in August in Biddinghuizen (Flevoland).
Sneekweek
There is much to see and do during this famous sailing festival such as fairs, fireworks, a fascinating naval review and of course sailing races on the Sneekermeer. Email info@sneekweek.nl for more information.
November
Sinterklaas Intocht
In mid November, the Dutch Santa Claus ‘arrives from Spain’ with his staff and Black Pete helpers at a different port each year.
December
Sinterklaas
Families exchange small gifts on 5 December ahead of religious celebrations for Christmas.
Public Holidays
New Year’s Day 1 January
Good Friday Friday before Easter
Easter Sunday March/April
Easter Monday March/April
Liberation Day 5 May*
Ascension Day 40th day after Easter
Whit Sunday 7th Sunday after Easter
Whit Monday 7th Monday after Easter
Christmas Day 25 December
Boxing Day 26 December
*Holiday for government offices only.
School Holidays
School holidays mean that you should book your accommodation well in advance as hotels and resorts fill up quickly during these times.
Spring Holiday Two weeks in mid-February
May Holiday The first week of May
Summer Holiday July, August and sometimes the first few days of September
Autumn Holiday Second half of October
Christmas Holiday Two weeks through the first full week of January
| 
