Public holiday in Netherlands
St. Stephen's Day in Netherlands
Saturday, December 26, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
St. Stephen's Day is a nationwide public holiday in the Netherlands, marked on 26 December. It is the day after Christmas and gives the country a second Christmas holiday.
About St. Stephen's Day in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, St. Stephen's Day is observed nationwide as a public holiday on 26 December. It sits immediately after Christmas Day, so it forms part of the Christmas period in Dutch public life and is widely treated as an additional day off during the holiday season. The day is especially relevant because it extends the Christmas break rather than standing alone as a separate seasonal occasion.
History
The Dutch observance follows the Christian feast of St. Stephen, traditionally remembered as the first Christian martyr. In the Netherlands it developed as part of the broader European Christmas calendar and remains associated with the church year rather than with a distinct Dutch national event.
Traditions
There are no widely distinctive nationwide Dutch traditions specific to St. Stephen's Day beyond the general Christmas period. Where the day is marked, it is typically treated as a quiet family day or a time for visiting relatives and finishing Christmas meals.
How St. Stephen's Day is celebrated in Netherlands
Contemporary observance is usually low-key. Many people use the day for resting, meeting family or friends, or enjoying another meal associated with the Christmas holiday period.
Interesting facts
In the Dutch calendar, 26 December is the only date used for St. Stephen's Day; no separate observed date is listed in the supplied holiday data. The holiday is recorded as a nationwide public holiday in the supplied context.
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.