The Netherlands declared its independent from Roman Catholic Spain in 1581, it adopted Calvinism as a state religion. The religion toleration brought to the country members of different religious communities from all over the world. In the present Netherlands the Christian tradition has been trimmed to Easter, Christmas and Pentecost celebrations.

The queen’s birthday is in Netherlands time for open-air concerts, children games and vrijmarkt treet sales.
It is also known as “orange craze” (oranjegekte) due to people dresses in the colours of the House of Orange-Nassau ( the Royal Family).
Although Queen Beatrix’s birthday is on 31 January, she officially celebrates it on 30 April, as a tribute to her mother, who abdicated at her’s 71st birthday on 30 April 1980.

May 5, marks the end of Nazi occupation during the WWII.

Jan. 1 Nieuwjaarsdag (New Year’s Day)
Mar/Apr. Goede Vrijdag (Good Friday)
Mar/Apr. Eerste Paasdag (Easter)
Mar/Apr. Tweede Paasdag (Easter Monday)
Apr. 30. Koninginnedag (Queen’s Birthday)
May 5 Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day)
May/June Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day)
May/June Eerste Pinksterdag (Pentecost)
May/June Tweede Pinksterdag (Whitmonday)
Dec. 25 & 26 Kerst (Christmas)