The spring season comes with all sorts of public holidays in the Netherlands, and Pentecost is right at the top of that list.
Pentecost (also known as Pinksteren) falls on May 24 and May 25, so what’s there to expect from this holiday in the lowlands, and what are its origins?
A brief history of Pentecost in the Netherlands
Pinksteren is a Christian celebration signifying the day the Holy Spirit came down from Heaven and revealed itself to the Apostles. The date it’s celebrated depends entirely on Easter, always landing on the 50th day following Easter Sunday.
The day also commemorates the birth of the Christian Church, with some historians maintaining the belief that the tradition was celebrated as early as the first century.
While the main celebration occurs on Sunday, the real highlight for the general public is Whit Monday, locally known as Tweede Pinksterdag (Second Pentecost Day).
This day is an official national public holiday in the Netherlands, giving workers and students an extended long weekend and marking the official conclusion of the Christian Easter season.
How is it celebrated?
Eerste and Tweede Pinksterdag are traditionally celebrated with music festivals, outdoor markets, and spring fairs spanning across the Netherlands.
Sunday tends to be a quieter family day, while Whit Monday is when the country comes alive with specific Dutch traditions. Across various regions, huge open-air flea markets (Pinkstermarkten) and neighbourhood fairs crop up, drawing thousands of bargain hunters looking for second-hand treasures and local food.
Historically, Pinkpop (the longest-running open-air festival in Europe) was always held during the Pinksteren weekend in Landgraaf.
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However, because there are now fewer relevant international acts touring Europe in late May, the festival is generally separate from the holiday.
And, while many Dutch people don’t regularly go to Church, many make a point to attend it during the Pentecost holidays.
Other, less religious activities, consist of going shopping, enjoying some Dutch nightlife, visiting museums and eating out at restaurants
What are you planning on doing during this holiday? Tell us in the comments below!
