Christmas (kerst, kerstmis, kerstfeest) celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. In Western Europe, including the Netherlands, the first Christmas Day is always on the 25th of December, and the second Christmas Day is on the 26th of December. Many Eastern churches celebrate it 13 days later, as they follow the Julian calendar.

Christmas is an official public holiday in the Netherlands.

In the fourth century, Emperor Constantine the Great and his bishops are said to have decided that Christmas should be celebrated on the 25th of December. This was because, in Mediterranean regions, sun gods were traditionally worshipped on this date. However, there are other theories that suggest different reasons for choosing this date.

The word kerst (Christmas) comes from kerstenen, which means to Christianise. Kerstmis literally means "Christ’s Mass." The reason for this is that the holiday revolves around the birth of Jesus, or Christ. Christ means "the Anointed One." It is unlikely that Jesus was actually born on the 25th of December. No one knows the exact date of his birth, and studies suggest that Jesus was most likely born sometime in the autumn.

Christmas Markets and Ice Skating Rinks

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, many cities in the Netherlands host Christmas markets. Visitors can enjoy stalls filled with Christmas decorations, handcrafted gifts, hot drinks, and winter treats such as oliebollen and poffertjes. However, you might miss out on mulled wine stands or the "German coziness" often found in other European Christmas markets. Ice skating rinks are also set up in city centres, offering young and old the chance to enjoy this typical winter activity together.

New Year's Eve

After Christmas, the Dutch prepare to celebrate New Year's Eve (Oud en Nieuw). On New Year’s Eve, friends and family gather to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one. Traditional treats such as oliebollen and appelbeignets are enjoyed, and fireworks are set off at midnight to mark the occasion.

Christmas in the Netherlands is a festive and cosy time, centred around traditions and togetherness. From decorating homes and attending Christmas church services to feasting with family and visiting Christmas markets, the Dutch truly know how to embrace the Christmas spirit. It is a time of warmth and connection, where families and friends come together to enjoy each other's company and share in the joy of the holiday season.

Christmas Church Services

Many Dutch people attend a church service on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, even if they do not regularly go to church. Midnight services are particularly popular and often include the singing of Christmas carols. In some towns, nativity plays performed by children are also a cherished tradition.

Gourmetten – A Typical Dutch Christmas Meal

A favourite tradition is gourmetten, where small table grills or raclette sets are placed on the table, allowing guests to prepare their own food. This shared cooking and dining experience is a sociable activity, providing plenty of opportunity for conversation and laughter.

Christmas Cards

Sending Christmas cards is a widespread custom in the Netherlands. Families, friends, and even colleagues exchange holiday greetings, often including personal messages. In the run-up to Christmas, mailboxes are filled with cards, and many households proudly display them on shelves or strings. PostNL issues special Christmas stamps (Decemberzegels), which are cheaper but valid only in December.

Christmas Tree and Decorations

The Christmas tree is often set up at the beginning of December, usually shortly after Sinterklaas. Traditionally, trees are decorated with lights, baubles, and handmade ornaments. Many Dutch people also decorate their homes with lights and festive figures outdoors.

Mulled Wine and Winter Drinks

Although mulled wine is not as common as in Germany, the Netherlands offers alternatives like Bisschopswijn, a spiced wine served hot. Other popular drinks include hot chocolate with whipped cream and various herbal liqueurs.

Winter Activities

In addition to the ice skating rinks already mentioned, some regions also organise special torchlight walks, where participants stroll through picturesque landscapes with lanterns or torches, soaking in the winter atmosphere.

Singing Christmas Carols

Singing Christmas carols is another tradition, whether in church, at Christmas markets, or with family. Classic carols such as “Silent Night” and “Komt allen tezamen” are especially beloved.

Culinary Traditions and Holiday Habits: Netherlands vs. Germany

An interesting difference between the Netherlands and Germany lies in how families spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve. In the Netherlands, it is common for many families to go out to a restaurant on Christmas Day or Boxing Day to enjoy a festive meal together. In contrast, in Germany, people are more likely to celebrate the holidays at home with family, often featuring elaborate traditional dishes.

On New Year’s Eve, however, the roles are reversed: In the Netherlands, many restaurants close, and public transport does not operate. People typically celebrate at home in small groups, often with oliebollen and fireworks. Interestingly, many parties in the Netherlands only start shortly before or even after midnight. After ringing in the New Year at home, people head out to larger gatherings or clubs to continue celebrating into the early hours.

In Germany, on the other hand, restaurants and public transport are often in operation, and many choose to spend the evening in social settings like restaurants, bars, or larger events. Celebrations typically start in the early evening and culminate with fireworks at midnight.

Official Holiday

The first and second days of Christmas are official public holidays in the Netherlands.

There is no law in the Netherlands that mandates workers must have a day off on public holidays. Therefore, there is no legal entitlement to a day off. Whether employees are granted time off on holidays or are required to work is specified in the collective labour agreement (Collectieve arbeidsovereenkomst CAO) or individual employment contract.

Opening Hours During Christmas

Opening Hours on Christmas Eve (Kerstavond)

On Christmas Eve in the Netherlands, the opening hours of shops and public institutions are often different from regular days. Many shops, especially retail stores, close earlier than usual to allow employees to spend the evening with their families. It is not uncommon for shops to close around 4 or 5 pm, but this can vary between stores.

Supermarkets and some other retailers may offer extended hours to accommodate last-minute Christmas shoppers. In some cases, supermarkets may remain open until 7 or 8 pm.

Restaurants and bars often have special opening hours on Christmas Eve. Many offer special Christmas menus or events and may open earlier or close later, depending on their planned activities.

It is important to note that opening hours on Christmas Eve can vary significantly depending on the city, municipality, and even individual stores. In some cases, local traditions or regulations may influence the hours. Therefore, it is always advisable to check in advance, particularly for specific shops or in smaller towns.

In summary, most shops close earlier on Christmas Eve in the Netherlands, while supermarkets may offer extended hours, and restaurants and bars often host special events or have unique schedules.

Opening Hours on Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Public institutions, schools, and educational facilities are closed on both Christmas days. Restaurants, cafés, and pubs are allowed to open on both days but must close by 3 am, with no new entries permitted after 2 am.

On Christmas Day, shops remain closed. This includes DIY stores, furniture shops, and car dealerships, which are closed on Christmas Day but may open on Boxing Day in many areas, often until 7 pm. However, local exceptions may apply, as municipalities can grant permits for specific areas or individual shops.

In large cities, many, but not all, shops are open on Boxing Day, and shops are allowed to open between 6 am and 10 pm on both holidays, depending on municipal regulations. Supermarkets in major cities are open on both holidays but may have adjusted hours. In smaller towns, opening hours may vary and depend on local regulations.

In general, supermarkets in major cities tend to open on Christmas Day. On Boxing Day, alongside supermarkets, other shops, particularly furniture boulevards, attract many Dutch shoppers in large cities and shopping areas.

Tip: For anyone planning to shop or make purchases, it is advisable to check the adjusted opening hours of specific stores in advance.

School Holidays

As in Germany, the Netherlands also has Christmas holidays (Kerstvakantie).