Introduction to Netherlands Bank Holidays 2026
Planning a trip to the Netherlands in 2026? Or perhaps you’re a UK business with ties across the Channel? Understanding Dutch public holidays—or ‘feestdagen’—is essential. While the Netherlands doesn’t use the term ‘bank holiday’ like the UK, these are the national days when most shops, banks, and offices close. This guide lists every Netherlands public holiday in 2026, tailored for a British audience, and compares them directly to UK bank holidays using official 2026 dates.
With Easter falling in early April 2026, it’s a busy period for travel. Whether you’re eyeing Amsterdam canals or Rotterdam’s ports, knowing when things shut down helps avoid disappointments. We’ll cover the full calendar, key comparisons, travel tips, and more.
Full List of Netherlands Public Holidays 2026
The Netherlands observes eight national public holidays in 2026. These are statutory days off for most workers, with closures varying by sector. Here’s the complete rundown:
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New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag): Thursday, 1 January 2026. Fireworks and celebrations kick off the year—expect crowded streets in cities like Amsterdam.
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Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag): Monday, 6 April 2026. Following Good Friday (3 April) and Easter Sunday (5 April), this is a major long weekend. Parks and attractions may have special openings.
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King’s Day (Koningsdag): Monday, 27 April 2026. The biggest street party in Europe! Orange-clad revellers flood streets for markets, music, and boat parties. Plan ahead for massive crowds.
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Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag): Thursday, 14 May 2026. A mid-week holiday 40 days after Easter, often bridged with Friday off for a long weekend.
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Whit Monday (Tweede Pinksterdag): Monday, 25 May 2026. Pentecost celebrations, 50 days post-Easter. Similar to Easter Monday in vibe.
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Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag): Friday, 25 December 2026. Family time with markets and lights.
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Second Christmas Day (Tweede Kerstdag or Boxing Day equivalent): Saturday, 26 December 2026. Shopping resumes, but many enjoy outdoor activities.
Note: Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag, 5 May) is not a national holiday in 2026—it’s only every five years (next in 2030). Regional holidays like Carnival (February/March in the south) aren’t national but can disrupt Limburg and Brabant.
Netherlands vs UK Bank Holidays 2026: Side-by-Side Comparison
For Brits, Dutch holidays align somewhat with UK ones, but differences matter for cross-border plans. Here’s a comparison using official UK 2026 dates:
| Date | Netherlands Holiday | UK Bank Holiday (All unless noted) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan (Thu) | New Year’s Day | New Year’s Day |
| 6 Apr (Mon) | Easter Monday | Easter Monday (England, Wales, NI; not Scotland) |
| 27 Apr (Mon) | King’s Day | Early May (4 May) |
| 14 May (Thu) | Ascension Day | None |
| 25 May (Mon) | Whit Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 25 Dec (Fri) | Christmas Day | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec (Sat) | Second Christmas Day | Boxing Day (substitute 28 Dec Mon where applicable) |
Key Insights:
- Both nations share New Year’s, Easter Monday, and Christmas periods, easing joint planning.
- UK has more summer holidays: Early May (4 May), Spring (25 May—clashes with Dutch Whit Monday), and August (3 Aug Scotland; 31 Aug England/Wales/NI).
- Scotland extras: 2 Jan, St Andrew’s (30 Nov).
- Dutch mid-May gaps (Ascension, Whit) have no UK equivalent, potentially quieter for UK visitors.
- Christmas: UK shifts Boxing Day to Monday 28 Dec if weekend; Netherlands keeps 26 Dec regardless.
This overlap means shared long weekends around Easter and Christmas—ideal for Eurostar trips or flights.
Planning Travel from the UK to the Netherlands in 2026
Easter and Spring Periods (April-May)
With Good Friday (3 April, UK-wide) and Easter Monday (6 April, shared), expect surged demand on Eurostar, KLM flights, and ferries. Book early for 4-6 April. King’s Day (27 April) coincides near UK’s Early May (4 May)—Amsterdam hotels spike 200%.
Summer Travel
Dutch Whit Monday (25 May) matches UK Spring bank holiday—perfect for a four-day jaunt. But UK August holidays (late) miss Dutch summer slowdowns.
Winter Holidays
Christmas week: Direct trains from London to Amsterdam run, but 25-26 Dec sees reduced services. New Year’s Eve parties rival London’s—fly into Schiphol early.
Pro Tips:
- Use NS International for trains; check real-time via 9292.nl app.
- Ryanair/EasyJet from UK airports; avoid holiday peaks.
- EU roaming means no data worries—download Google Maps offline.
Business Implications for UK-Dutch Trade
UK firms trading with Netherlands should note:
- Banks and post offices close on all listed dates.
- Supermarkets often open limited hours on King’s Day/Easter Monday.
- Stock markets (Euronext Amsterdam) halt on public holidays.
Compared to UK: Dutch have fewer total holidays (8 vs UK’s 8-10 regionally), but unique dates like King’s Day disrupt logistics. Plan shipments around 27 April and 14 May. For remote workers, note potential team absences.
Regional Variations in the Netherlands
National holidays apply everywhere, but:
- Carnival (Carnaval): 14-16 February 2026 in south (Maastricht, Tilburg). Schools close; traffic chaos.
- Frisian holidays: St Jelle’s Day (minor).
- Northern provinces quieter on King’s Day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Good Friday and Easter Sunday holidays in the Netherlands?
No—only Easter Monday. Good Friday sees some Christian closures, but shops open.
How many public holidays in Netherlands 2026?
Eight national ones, plus regionals.
Do trains run on Dutch public holidays?
Yes, reduced schedules. Check ns.nl.
King’s Day 2026 weather?
Typically mild (10-15°C), but pack rain gear—Dutch weather is changeable.
Compare total days off: Netherlands vs UK?
Netherlands: 8. UK: 8 (England/Wales) to 10 (Scotland). UK substitutes weekend holidays; Netherlands doesn’t always.
This guide equips you for 2026. For updates, check government.nl or rijksoverheid.nl. Safe travels!
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