However, the country does have its own set of national holidays, ranging from the religious to the historic. And they are, more often than not, reflections on what the Netherlands really is as a nation of people. Sure, you might get a good idea of the country just by visiting it, but actually experiencing and observing a holiday with them here will really show you who the Dutch really are. Christmas is one of the most important holidays for people belonging to the Christian faith. On the eve of the first Christmas Day the Dutch attend church services and make a festive dinner.

New Year’s Day Public holiday The first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar. A Black Pete interacts with children during the arrival of Sinterklaas in Monnickendam, Netherlands, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. % off special coupon will be auto-applied before payment.

Queen’s Day is Holland’s favorite national holiday; it celebrates the birthday of the Queen. The festivities start on the evening before Queen’s Day and last throughout the next day. On this holiday people dress in orange and attend specially organized ‘freemarkets’ , musical performances, and open-air concerts.

On May 5, Liberation Day is celebrated with concerts and festivals, such as Bevrijdingspop (´Liberation Pop´) in Haarlem. Neither are annual official holidays, though some establishments may close. In ons-nederland will be charged a smaller fee for accommodation.

Father’s Day is a day to honor fathers for everything they have done for their children. The Dutch take this opportunity to express gratitude to their fathers by telling them how much they are loved and appreciated. Generally, children present their fathers with a bouquet of flowers, a greeting thẻ, a gift basket, or a personalized gift. Nowadays, people in the Netherlands also celebrate this occasion with their grandfathers, fathers-in-law, uncles, stepfathers, or other men who are caring and protective in their lives.

It is known as the judicial capital of the world and is home to the International Court of Justice. As you might expect of such a well regarded thành phố, The Hague oozes sophistication and is filled with impressive squares, fine art, and outstanding architecture. What you might not expect is that it is also home to golden beaches, fantastic restaurants and funky shops! If you crave a Netherlands holiday that is a mix of city break and beach escape, the Hague is exactly what the doctor ordered. Amsterdam is the destination which instantly springs to mind for a Netherlands holiday. Amsterdam certainly has a lot to offer in terms of museums, nightlife, accommodation, and shopping, but other cities are worth exploring too.

This slave, Hermes suggests, may have helped inspire the character of Zwarte Piet. While protests against Black Pete occur every holiday season, some Dutch cities are seeing a pro-blackface backlash by white supporters of the Christmas tradition. To celebrate December 5, the Dutch St. Nicholas holiday, Netherlanders gather for parades in which the saint arrives in town to hand out candy and gifts. But these parades have taken on an increasingly political—and violent—tone this year because of Santa’s traditional blackface sidekick. Package holidays normally contain travel and accommodation sold for one price, although optional further provisions can be included such as catering and tourist services.

Our specialists advise on the best months to visit the Netherlands, including information about climate, events and festivals. If a more peaceful and secluded trip is on the cards for your Netherlands holiday, then Giethoorn is a dream come true. Thatched roof farmhouses, wooden bridges, luscious greenery and idyllic waterways make Giethoorn seem straight out of a fairytale.