Public holidays in the Netherlands

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Holidays in the Netherlands:

Date English Name Local Name Remarks
January 1 New Year's Day Nieuwjaar The day before is called "Old Year's Eve" and not "New Year's Eve."
March/April Easter Pasen The Dutch celebrate two days of Easter (on Sunday and the subsequent Monday).
April 30 Queen's day Koninginnedag Originally, Koninginnedag was celebrated on the birthday of the queen,
Queen's day is nowadays celebrated on the birthday of the late Queen-mother (Juliana), as better weather is expected. If April 30 is a Sunday, Koninginnedag is celebrated on the April 29.
May 4 Remembrance of the dead Dodenherdenking Remembrance of all members of the armed forces and civilians of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who died in war situations or peacekeeping missions since the outbreak of the Second World War.
May 5 Liberation day Bevrijdingsdag Celebration of the 1945 capitulation of German forces in World War II. Celebrated every year, but as of 2000, an official holiday once every 5 years.
40 days after Easter Ascension Day Hemelvaartsdag  
7 weeks after Easter Pentecost Pinksteren The Dutch celebrate two days of Pentecost (on Sunday and the subsequent Monday).
December 5 Saint Nicholas' Eve Sinterklaas A predecessor of Santa Claus, Sinterklaas gives presents to the children. This is not an official holiday but it is widely observed.
December 25, December 26 Christmas Kerstmis The Dutch celebrate two days of Christmas: Eerste Kerstdag (the first day of Christmas) and Tweede Kerstdag (the second day of Christmas).
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