Public holiday in Netherlands
New Year's Day in Netherlands
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
New Year’s Day is a nationwide public holiday in the Netherlands, marking the first day of the calendar year. It is mainly a quiet day for recovery after New Year’s Eve rather than a day of major public ceremony.
About New Year's Day in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, New Year’s Day is observed across the country as the calendar year begins. Its practical significance is mostly as a public holiday that follows New Year’s Eve celebrations, so it is commonly treated as a day for rest and low-key family time. The holiday sits at the start of the year and is part of the Dutch holiday calendar nationwide.
Traditions
A well-known Dutch New Year’s custom is eating oliebollen, especially around the turn of the year. Many people also exchange greetings and good wishes for the year ahead, often after the midnight countdown on New Year’s Eve rather than through formal daytime observances.
How New Year's Day is celebrated in Netherlands
The day is generally quiet, with many people staying at home or visiting family and friends informally. In Dutch cities and towns, the public atmosphere is usually calmer than on New Year’s Eve, after the late-night celebrations of the previous evening.
Dates in published calendars
Sources and verification
- 2026: Government of the Netherlands · checked 20 Oct 2026
- 2027: Government of the Netherlands · checked 20 Oct 2026
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.