National days and public holidays are event date blunders. People, in general, aren't inclined to go to a corporate event on such dates unless it's a concert or an entertaining outdoor event. Many corporate events will fail if scheduled on public holidays. Event planners must choose a date that works for their speakers and attendees but always consult public holiday lists when organizing international corporate events and conferences. Making sure to avoid public holidays in the Netherlands is one of the success factors for event organizers. The event market in the Netherlands is more than well-developed, with a significant number of trade events per year.
Table of Contents
Types of holidays in the Netherlands
Public holidays in the Netherlands
Religious holidays in the Netherlands
List of holidays in the Netherlands (2023)
Some exceptions for Dutch public holidays
Types of holidays in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, there is a multitude of official and traditional holidays that the Dutch enjoy celebrating. There are two types of holidays; public and religious.
Public holidays in the Netherlands
The Netherlands celebrates ten nationwide holidays, including Good Friday, Easter Monday, and King's Day. However, there are regional public holidays celebrated in specific country regions.
Religious holidays in the Netherlands
The most important religious holidays in the Netherlands include Christian holidays such as Easter, Ascension Day, and Pentecost. Easter is celebrated as a two-day public holiday, while Ascension Day falls 40 days after Easter Sunday. In addition, Christmas is widely celebrated in the Netherlands as a religious holiday, with Christmas Day and Boxing Day both observed as public holidays.
List of holidays in the Netherlands (2023)
Informal holidays
When organizing corporate events or conferences in the Netherlands, keep in mind the existence of many informal holidays, such as:
Carneval • Feb 19 – Feb 21, 2023
March Equinox • 20 Mar, 2023
Moederdag (Mother’s Day) • May 14, 2023
Vadertag • Jun 18, 2023
June Solstice • Jun 21, 2023
Keti Koti • Jul 1, 2023
Roodharigendag (Redhead Day) • August 25-27, 2023
September Equinox • Sep 23, 2023
December Solstice • Dec 22, 2023
Some exceptions for Dutch public holidays
Employers are required by law to provide their employees with a minimum of four weeks of paid vacation each year, but employers aren't required to provide additional time off for public holidays. Most shops, restaurants, and public institutions, including banks and post offices, are closed on public holidays. However, some exceptions, such as grocery stores, may have limited hours.