Festivals & events

42 celebrations through the year — pick a day to see what's on.

• New Year's Day (1, North Holland) — The Netherlands celebrates the start of a new year with festivities, fireworks, and New Year's Day swims in icy waters across the country.
• Elfstedentocht (1, Friesland) — A legendary 200km ice skating marathon through eleven Frisian towns, held only when ice is thick enough, attracting thousands of skaters an…
• Carnaval (2, North Brabant) — A vibrant three-day festival in southern Netherlands featuring parades, costumes, and street parties, particularly famous in Maastricht, De…
• Amsterdam Dance Event (10, North Holland) — One of the world's largest electronic music conferences and festivals, featuring world-renowned DJs and producers performing across Amsterd…
• Good Friday (3, North Holland) — A Christian religious observance marking the crucifixion of Jesus, observed with church services and religious processions throughout the N…
• Easter Sunday and Monday (3, North Holland) — The Christian celebration of resurrection with family gatherings, egg hunts, and church services observed as national holidays across the c…
• King's Day (4, North Holland) — The Netherlands' most colorful national holiday celebrating the King's birthday with street parties, orange clothing, and spontaneous conce…
• Liberation Day (5, North Holland) — Commemorating the liberation of the Netherlands during World War II with concerts, festivals, and ceremonies throughout the country.
• Ascension Day (5, North Holland) — A Christian religious holiday observed 39 days after Easter, marking the ascension of Jesus Christ with church services and traditions.
• Whit Sunday and Monday (5, North Holland) — The Christian celebration of the Holy Spirit's descent, observed with church services and family gatherings as national holidays.
• Holland Festival (6, North Holland) — Amsterdam's premier international performing arts festival showcasing theatre, dance, music, and opera from around the world.
• Pink Pop Festival (6, Limburg) — One of Europe's longest-running music festivals in Landgraaf featuring diverse genres from rock to pop and electronic music.
• Grachtenfestival (8, North Holland) — A ten-day classical music festival along Amsterdam's famous canals with performances on boats, bridges, and canal-side venues.
• Sneekweek (8, Friesland) — One of the world's largest sailing regattas in the charming Frisian town of Sneek, attracting thousands of sailors and spectators.
• Lowlands Festival (8, Flevoland) — A major music and arts festival in Kerviel featuring indie, electronic, and alternative music alongside theatre, comedy, and installations.
• Uitmarkt (8, North Holland) — Amsterdam's culturally diverse free festival marking the start of the cultural season with performances, exhibitions, and outdoor entertain…
• Dekker Jazz Festival (8, Drenthe) — A jazz festival in the historic province of Drenthe attracting international jazz musicians and enthusiasts.
• Appelsap Festival (8, North Holland) — An intimate electronic and hip-hop music festival in Amsterdam's Amsterdamse Bos, known for its laid-back atmosphere and quality programmin…
• Tiel Fruit Festival (8, Gelderland) — The Netherlands' largest fruit festival celebrating the fruit harvest with tastings, parades, and cultural performances in the Rhine city o…
• Mysteryland (8, North Holland) — An iconic electronic dance music festival near Amsterdam featuring world-class DJs and elaborate stage designs.
• Uitfeest Drenthe (9, Drenthe) — Drenthe's annual cultural festival celebrating local and regional arts, music, and theatre traditions.
• Oktoberfest Groenlo (9, Gelderland) — A lively beer festival in the border town of Groenlo celebrating Bavarian culture with beer, food, and traditional entertainment.
• Dutch Grand Prix (9, North Holland) — The Formula 1 Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort, returning to the Netherlands with thrilling racing and thousands of orange-clad fans.
• Arnhem Moddress (9, Gelderland) — A contemporary fashion festival in Arnhem showcasing emerging designers and fashion innovation.
• Amsterdam Marathon (10, North Holland) — A major marathon through Amsterdam attracting international runners and featuring a scenic route along canals and historic landmarks.
• Dokkem Festival (8, Friesland) — A cultural festival in Dokkum celebrating Frisian heritage with music, theatre, and local traditions.
• Gent Sint Pietersabdij Festival (10, South Holland) — A cultural festival in The Hague celebrating the arts with exhibitions, performances, and installations.
• Rotterdam Marathon (4, South Holland) — The Netherlands' second-largest marathon through the modern port city of Rotterdam, attracting thousands of international runners.
• Bevrijdingsfestival (5, Gelderland) — Celebrations marking the Netherlands' liberation from Nazi occupation with music festivals and commemorative events across the country.
• Bloemencorso Bollenstreek (4, South Holland) — A spectacular flower parade through the bulb-growing region featuring elaborate floats decorated with thousands of tulips and other flowers.
• Keukenhof Garden (3, South Holland) — One of the world's largest flower gardens showcasing millions of tulips and spring bulbs in elaborate displays across 32 hectares near Liss…
• Oerol Festival (6, Friesland) — A unique international theatre and arts festival on the island of Terschelling transforming the entire landscape into a performance space.
• Zomerfeest Groningen (8, Groningen) — A vibrant summer festival in Groningen featuring live music, theatre, and cultural performances across the city.
• Noorderzon Festival (8, Groningen) — An alternative arts and culture festival in Groningen showcasing theatre, music, performance art, and installations.
• Sziget Festival (8, Groningen) — One of Europe's largest music and cultural festivals held annually in the Groningen region featuring diverse genres and art installations.
• Vrijbuiter Festival (7, Zeeland) — A maritime and cultural festival in Zeeland celebrating the region's nautical heritage with parades, music, and water-based activities.
• Maastricht Jazz Festival (11, Limburg) — One of Europe's largest jazz festivals transforming the historic city of Maastricht with indoor and outdoor venues featuring international…
• Christmas (12, North Holland) — The Christian celebration of Jesus Christ's birth observed with family gatherings, church services, and festive decorations throughout the…
• New Year's Eve (12, North Holland) — The Netherlands celebrates the end of the year with fireworks, street parties, and traditional festivities across all regions.
• Maastricht Christmas Markets (11, Limburg) — Enchanting Christmas markets transforming historic Maastricht with festive stalls, decorations, and traditional holiday treats.
• Winterevents (12, North Holland) — Amsterdam's winter season featuring Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, and festive lighting throughout the city.
• Weihnachtsmärkte Winterswijk (11, Gelderland) — Traditional Christmas markets in Winterswijk featuring holiday crafts, food, and festive atmosphere.