Introduction to Bank Holidays in the Netherlands 2026
Planning a trip to the Netherlands in 2026? Whether you’re a UK resident eyeing a canal cruise in Amsterdam or a business trip to Rotterdam, understanding Dutch bank holidays (known locally as ‘feestdagen’) is essential. These are public holidays when banks, government offices, and many businesses close, though shops and tourist attractions often stay open.
Unlike the UK’s fixed bank holidays, Dutch ones include religious dates that shift annually, plus unique celebrations like King’s Day. This guide lists all 2026 dates, explains traditions, and compares them to UK bank holidays for easy planning. We’ve aligned with official UK 2026 dates from gov.uk for relevance to British travellers.
Full List of Dutch Bank Holidays 2026
Here are the official public holidays in the Netherlands for 2026. Note that not all are ‘free days off’ for everyone—some are Sundays—but they impact services:
- 1 January 2026 (Thursday): New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag)
- 6 April 2026 (Monday): Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag)
- 27 April 2026 (Monday): King’s Day (Koningsdag)
- 14 May 2026 (Thursday): Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag)
- 25 May 2026 (Monday): Whit Monday (Pinkstermaandag)
- 25 December 2026 (Friday): Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag)
- 26 December 2026 (Saturday): Boxing Day / Second Christmas Day (Tweede Kerstdag)
Liberation Day (5 May) isn’t a nationwide holiday in 2026—it’s only every five years (next in 2030). Good Friday (3 April) isn’t an official public holiday.
Detailed Breakdown of Each Holiday
New Year’s Day – 1 January 2026
Kicking off the year, this Thursday holiday means a long weekend. Fireworks light up cities like Amsterdam until the early hours—expect crowds and celebrations. Public transport runs but can be disrupted. UK comparison: Matches UK’s New Year’s Day bank holiday on the same date.
Easter Monday – 6 April 2026
Following Easter Sunday (5 April), this Monday is a family day with egg hunts and market visits. Many head to beaches or parks. Shops in tourist areas open, but offices close. UK parallel: Easter Monday is a bank holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland on the same date; Scotland skips it.
King’s Day – 27 April 2026
The biggest street party! Celebrating King Willem-Alexander’s birthday, everyone wears orange, sells flea-market goods from boats or tarps (‘vrijmarkt’), and dances. Amsterdam’s canals buzz—book ahead. No direct UK equivalent, but fun like Notting Hill Carnival.
Ascension Day – 14 May 2026
A Thursday marking Jesus’ ascension, it’s a ‘bridge day’—many take Friday off for a long weekend. Quiet family time or short trips. UK has no match; nearest is Early May bank holiday on 4 May.
Whit Monday – 25 May 2026
Pentecost Monday after Whit Sunday (24 May). Similar to Easter Monday: markets, outings. Spring bank holiday vibes. UK: Spring bank holiday on 25 May—exact match for a long weekend!
Christmas Day – 25 December 2026
Family dinners, markets, and lights. A Friday, so extended break. UK: Same date as Christmas Day bank holiday.
Second Christmas Day – 26 December 2026
Unique to Dutch/Belgian culture: visiting friends, games, walks. On Saturday, but still observed. UK: Boxing Day on 26th (Saturday), with substitute on 28 December Monday.
Comparison: Dutch vs UK Bank Holidays 2026
For UK travellers, here’s how they stack up. UK has more fixed dates; Netherlands has variable Christian holidays.
| Date | Netherlands | UK (England/Wales/NI) | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | New Year’s Day | +2 Jan |
| 3 Apr | - | Good Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 Apr | Easter Monday | Easter Monday | - |
| 4 May | - | Early May | Early May |
| 25 May | Whit Monday | Spring | Spring |
| 27 Apr | King’s Day | - | - |
| 14 May | Ascension | - | - |
| 31 Aug | - | Summer | 3 Aug Summer |
| 25-28 Dec | Christmas + Boxing | Christmas (25), Boxing sub (28) | + St Andrew’s 30 Nov |
UK total: 8 bank holidays (regional variations). Netherlands: 7 main ones. Overlaps like Easter Monday and Whit Monday mean synced long weekends—ideal for Eurostar trips.
Impacts on Travel and Business
For Tourists from the UK
- Transport: NS trains run reduced services; book Eurostar early for overlaps like 25 May.
- Attractions: Major sites (Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum) open on most holidays; King’s Day is peak—expect queues.
- Shops: Supermarkets close; tourist shops open. Stock up pre-holiday.
- Best Times: Avoid King’s Day if crowds overwhelm; visit post-Christmas for sales.
For Business
Offices, banks shut. Plan meetings around these—use tools like timeanddate.com. Expats: Check employer policies; some give ‘bridge days’.
Tips for UK Visitors in 2026
- Visa-Free: Brits need none for 90 days (post-Brexit).
- Currency: Euros; cards widely accepted.
- COVID/Updates: Check government.nl for changes.
- Apps: Download 9292 for transport, Buienradar for weather.
- Accommodation: Book King’s Day/Christmas early—prices soar.
Compare to UK: Netherlands has fewer holidays but vibrant festivities. With overlaps (e.g., 6 April, 25 May), align trips for max holiday time.
Regional Variations in the Netherlands
Most holidays are national, but:
- Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire etc.): Different dates like Carnival.
- Schools: Extra ‘study days’ around holidays.
Planning Your 2026 Trip
Use this as your checklist. For UK-Netherlands ferries (DFDS Hull-Rotterdam), note Easter/Christmas closures. Fly EasyJet/Ryanair to Amsterdam Schiphol—holidays busier.
In April 2026 context, Easter Monday (6 April) coincides with UK holiday—perfect for a spring break. Monitor gov.uk and rijksoverheid.nl for confirmations.
This guide ensures you’re prepared. Safe travels!
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