Get ready to party! Throughout December, you can expect many festive events in the Netherlands, beyond an epic two-day Christmas celebration.
From the arrival of Sinterklaas to Saint Nicholas Eve, ice-skating galore, and finally, Christmas Day (or days!), the Dutch really love to celebrate Christmas.
What is it?
This Dutch quirk leaves us feeling like we belong inside a postcard.
To make winter more gezellig, Dutchies fill the colder months with feasts, parades, ice skating, and more!
READ MORE | 11 things to do in the Netherlands this December
But the real quirky thing about Christmas in the Netherlands is just how long the celebrations last.
In the Netherlands, Christmas Day is a two-day celebration, with both December 25 (First Christmas Day) and December 26 (Second Christmas Day) being public holidays.
Over the course of these two days, there will be gift-giving, feasting, and drinking in the lead-up to Jesus Christ’s birth.
The Netherlands, after all, was founded on Christianity, and in particular, Calvinism.
More than faith, Christmas in the Netherlands is primarily focused on spending time with friends and family before the New Year kicks off.
So enjoy all the peace and quiet in December, because when January 1 hits, you’ll have the sound of fireworks stuck in your ears. 🎇
Christmas Day is NOT the arrival of Sinterklaas
You might think that Christmas celebrations start on the first Saturday after November 11, when Sinterklaas (Dutch Santa) arrives in the Netherlands.
But, despite the festive feeling, this tradition is completely separate from Dutch Christmas Day.
In fact, Dutchies have an entirely different festival dedicated to celebrating the saint. Have you heard of Saint Nicholas Eve?
Forget Santa’s sleigh — Sinterklaas sails all the way from Spain on a steamboat, accompanied by his controversial helpers, the Zwarte Pieten, to personally greet children in towns across the Netherlands.
His arrival beckons a huge parade, ending in the town’s market square. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to say hello to the elusive fellow!
Saint Nicholas Eve
This tradition comes from the Netherlands’ long history with Christianity.
Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of this holiday, was known to be a generous and giving Saint, and this is perhaps why we exchange gifts in his name. 🎁
“Sinterklaas” is the Dutch word for Saint Nicholas, and fun fact: it was this Dutch translation that inspired English speakers to adopt the term “Santa Claus.”
Sinterklaas and Santa Claus sound pretty similar, don’t they?
Dutchies celebrate the Eve of Saint Nicholas on December 5, which involves gift-giving, a little bit of playful poetry, and a real Dutch novelty: gourmetten.
Both Sinterklaas and Saint Nicholas Eve are separate events from December 25 and 26.
A season of saints (not just Santa)
The festivities start with the celebration of Sint Maarten on November 11, then comes the arrival of Sinterklaas, followed by the feast of Saint Nicholas, and finally, the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
In the 21st century, a lot of these traditions have mushed into one big Christmas bonanza, but they remain distinct and special to the Dutch and their history.
Yet the reason to celebrate Christmas over two days is quite simple: so families have enough time to reconnect with one another, enjoy meals, and catch up.
December 26 (known globally as Saint Stephen’s Day or Boxing Day) serves as a holiday continuation, offering even more time for family festivities.
Why is it quirky?
For a lot of us internationals, the most important date on the winter calendar is December 25.
All the holiday cheer during the winter months leads up to this one day. But the first Christmas Day can actually be a bit exhausting.
And the day after? Second Christmas Day usually involves tidying up, eating leftovers, and recovering from a hectic, pre-Christmas work schedule.
Many of us would appreciate an extra Christmas day, maybe only to have an extra morning to sleep in. 😴
Should you join in?
Yes! If you happen to be close to any Dutch families, indulge in the traditions of gourmetten, pepernoten, and letter-giving.
If you have a large family, the extra day means you have time for both your closest relatives and extended family, without anyone feeling left out.
Plus, spreading out the celebrations makes Christmas Day all the more enjoyable, so say goodbye to last-minute turkey shopping and stressful gift-wrapping!
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!
The Dutch, in general, do not need to worry about ‘last minute turkey shopping’: IF they eat Turkey at all on Christmas day (most of them do not!), they will have ordered that long before at a ‘poelier’ (poultry specialist that also delivers game and other less commonly eaten animals).
To married couples, spreading Christmas over 2 days is the perfect solution to ‘visiting the parents’: visit one partner’s parents on the 25th and the other one’s on the 26th. Do not forget to reverse next year!
Since surprise presents are traditionally given at Sinterklaas, do not worry about the gift wrapping for Christmas either. IF you exchange gifts for Christmas, have the shop wrap them for you.