Bank Holidays
Amsterdam
Bank Holidays
Amsterdam
THE DUTCH
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
If you are looking for the holidays in the Dutch calendar, you will quickly notice that they are a little different from the ones we know at home. The most important Christian holidays, such as Christmas, Easter and Pentecost, are also celebrated here. Whereby Sinterklaas, the Dutch St. Nicholas, is a real star in the Netherlands.
In addition, you will come across days that might be new to you. Or can you spontaneously think of a holiday that is dedicated to a flower?
Mark the 27th of April in your calendar. That’s when the king’s birthday is celebrated with fervor all over the country.
After the biggest birthday party in Europe, the national holiday is just around the corner on May 5. The so-called Bevrijdingsdag follows the Day of National Mourning and commemorates the end of the German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II. People celebrate exuberantly in the name of peace and freedom.
The year literally ends with a loud bang. The Dutch love fireworks, so it’s no surprise that on December 31, the night sky over Amsterdam shimmers in a thousand colors.
HOLIDAYS IN THE NETHERLANDS
AN OVERVIEW
New Year's Eve and New Year
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Tulp Festival
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Koningsdag
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Memorial & Liberation day
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Sinterklaas
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OUDEJAARSAVOND & NIEUWJAAR
New Year's Eve and New Year
If you want to start the new year in a special atmosphere, Amsterdam is the place to be. During the day, it’s best to feast on Olliebollen, a kind of doughnut in different variations, before good intentions once again demonize the sugar stuff from January 1. This boiling pastry (oil balls, also called “Silvesterfutschen”), which is offered everywhere in the city, is typical for New Year’s Eve and also provides the necessary basis for the coming night.
You should plan your New Year’s Eve stay a little because the restaurants, events and especially hotels are usually booked up weeks in advance. If you still want to be spontaneous, then simply celebrate with thousands of exuberant people in the pubs of the old town or at the open air New Year’s Eve party on Dam Square. Then, you can get your food on the hand from the cult burger vending machine of FEBO.
When the hand of the clock gets closer to 12, people wander to the banks of the Amstel River or to the city squares. The Rembrandtplein, Leidesplein or the Nieuwmarkt are very popular. The official fireworks display, set off by the city, takes place in the center between Prinsengracht and Bloemgracht. Amsterdam’s bridges, especially the Magere Brug, which spans the Amstel River, are also a popular vantage point to welcome the New Year with a loud “Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!”.
For those who prefer something a little more intimate, try to catch the fireworks in advance on one of the city’s rooftop terraces. This might be a good criterion for your hotel choice. Whether you celebrate the turn of the year in Amsterdam in an upscale restaurant, on the street or in a boat on the canals, it will definitely be an experience.
At this point, a small warning: The number of rockets and firecrackers that the Dutch set off in a very short time is incredible, and the danger should not be underestimated.
However, if you don’t mind dancing through crowded, narrow streets and dodging a stray firecracker or two, you’ll have a great time. After the fireworks, you can end the night in the bars or head to the clubs. Whether it’s “Paradiso”, “Melkweg” or the “Escape”, the beats will carry you through the night. The calories burned are traditionally recharged the next morning in the Netherlands with Tompouce, a vanilla puff pastry cake.
TULP FESTIVAL
THE TULIP FESTIVAL
What would the Netherlands be without tulips?
From the middle of the 16th century, the tulip started its triumphal procession in the Netherlands. First the object of desire of the rich citizens, soon everyone wanted to be in possession of such a tuber. Many a still life captured the beauty of the newcomers from Persia.
Therefore, it is not surprising that a whole festival is dedicated to the flower. From mid-March to early May, millions of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths bloom, coloring the fields around Amsterdam in every conceivable color and shade. After the dark and rainy winter months, there is probably no nicer way to welcome spring.
In the Bollensteek, about 30 km outside Amsterdam, lies the Keukenhof. This beautiful, sprawling flower park attracts people from all over the world every year and delights not only amateur gardeners. The highlight of the Tulip Festival is the Tulip Parade, which moves through the Keukenhof. Motif wagons, decorated all over with flowers, show the countless variations of flowers.
From Amsterdam, you can easily take the Metro 52 from Amsterdam Centraal station to Europaplein, where you can board the Keukenhof Express Bus 852. You will reach your destination in about 40 minutes. It is best to buy the tickets in advance on the web.
On site, you have the possibility to explore the flower world on foot or by bike. If you want, you can even experience the fields from a dizzy height in a helicopter.
But it’s not just the Amsterdam countryside that’s in bloom. The Dutch also celebrate their tulips at 85 locations throughout the city. Whether in the gardens of the Rijksmuseum, on the Mageren Brug or on the roof of the NEMO, the bright colors of the petals are omnipresent.
KONINGSDAG
THE ROYAL BIRTHDAY
On April 27, each year, the Dutch celebrate their king’s birthday with a nationwide party. Everyone is invited!
In Amsterdam, the night before, most people can’t stay at home anymore and get in the mood for the coming day. Next to Gay Pride, Koningsdag is the biggest event of the year.
If you haven’t turned the night of April 27 into a day at one of the many parties, you should definitely jump out of bed in the morning and explore the city. Amsterdam turns into a huge flea market on this day. On every corner, you can discover hidden treasures, but also a lot of junk. There is a program everywhere. And you feel like you’re at a fairground: chaotic, cheerful, fun-loving.
While Amsterdam dances, the king and his family visit a different community every year on his day of honor. Which town or village gets to rejoice is announced in advance. So if you’ve always wanted to see “blue blood” up close, there’s your chance.
Oh yes, if you really want to belong, the dress code is of course not insignificant. The color of this day is – surprise – orange! 😀
Kingsland Festival
The music festival takes place this year (on 27.4.) on the RAI grounds: here you can also toast the royal family – and with various DJ and bands.
The ticket costs 49.50 euros and you can party from noon until the evening hours and take an orange bath ;)!
Happy Birthday!
DODENHERDENKING & BEVRIJDINGSDAG
MEMORIAL DAY & LIBERATION DAY
During Memorial Day on May 4, Dutch civilians and military personnel who have been victims of armed conflict since the beginning of World War II are remembered across the country. In Amsterdam, a rally and wreath-laying ceremony are held at the National Monument on Dam Square. But not only there, also at other memorials such as the Westernkerk people gather to pay respect to the deceased and lay flowers. At 8 p.m. sharp, the whole country is silent for two minutes.
After this day of remembrance and devotion, the joy of life explodes all the more in the city on May 5. The Dutch celebrate Liberation Day, the end of the German occupation in World War II. This day, more than any other, is dedicated to freedom and peace. Readings, open-air concerts and parties take place all over Amsterdam. People eat together, celebrate in the streets or at the Freedom Festival. With 200 participating venues, you’re spoiled for choice.
One of the highlights is the Amstel Concert held in the evening in front of the Carré Theater. A colorful mix of artists from different musical genres perform on the stage facing the water. Admission is free. Whether you’re standing on the bridges or on the banks or bobbing in one of the boats on the Amstel, this evening gives you the feeling that freedom and peace are not just ideals, but actually possible.
SINTERKLAAS
NIKOLAUS
In Amsterdam, the pre-Christmas season begins as early as mid-November.
When you see families making a pilgrimage to the banks of the Amstel River, you know the arrival of St. Nicholas and his helpers is imminent. The exact date changes every year, it is the first Saturday after St. Martin’s Day – so find out beforehand which Saturday in November he will arrive in Amsterdam.
Sinterklaas and his Pieten arrive First Class from Spain by water. The boat trip ends at the harbor of the Maritime Museum. There the sprightly gentleman mounts his white horse and rides through the city to Dam Square. He is accompanied by Christmas decorated floats, music playing foot groups and of course his helpers in colorful costumes. Children with shining eyes line the streets and finally run behind the parade until it reaches the royal palace. There a show stage with entertaining program awaits the spectators.
Those who do not have time to watch the spectacle on site need not be sad. It will be broadcast live on TV and on various social media channels. In the following three weeks, the excitement increases. In a TV program, impatient children and the young at heart can follow the adventures of Sinterklaas in Amsterdam until his grand entrance on Dec. 5.
Then, on December 6, the time has finally come. Sinterklaas and his Pieten swarm through the city and visit the children. And who knows, if you’ve been good, maybe they’ll ring your doorbell and bring you presents too….
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2021 – 2024
With the support of Boris Hermann
Image rights exceptions:
Jasper Juinen / Wikipedia
Michell Zappa / Wikipedia
Franklin Heijnen / Wikipedia
Iijjccoo / Wikipedia
Archangel12 / Wikipedia
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