Public Holidays in Amsterdam 2026: Dates, Closures, and Travel Tips

A public holiday doesn’t automatically shut Amsterdam down. Trams still run, canal boats keep moving, and many museums welcome visitors as usual.

One date is different. On King’s Day, hundreds of thousands of people fill the streets, parks, stations, and canals. Getting from one side of the city centre to the other can become an expedition.

Amsterdam follows the national public holiday calendar of the Netherlands. Shops, attractions, restaurants, and employers decide individually how they operate on most of these dates, so the words “public holiday” don’t always mean “closed.”

Official Public Holidays in Amsterdam in 2026

The Dutch government lists the following public holidays for 2026.

There’s an important catch. Dutch law doesn’t automatically give employees a day off on public holidays. Whether someone works depends on their employment contract or collective labour agreement, known as a CAO.

That explains why one café may close while the restaurant next door stays busy.

January 1: New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day is an official public holiday across the Netherlands. Public services, offices, banks, and many independent businesses are likely to close.

Some Amsterdam restaurants, convenience stores, hotels, and attractions continue operating, usually with shorter hours. Don’t assume that the opening times displayed for a normal Thursday will apply.

Museums vary. Amsterdam’s official visitor guide warns that many museums and attractions close on New Year’s Day, although individual institutions can remain open.

Public transport continues, but services may follow a Sunday or holiday timetable. Check your route shortly before travelling, particularly early in the morning after New Year’s Eve.

April 3–6: Easter Weekend

The 2026 Easter weekend runs from Good Friday on April 3 through Easter Monday on April 6.

Good Friday is listed as an official public holiday, but it isn’t a guaranteed day off for every employee. Many offices and businesses continue working, while schools, financial institutions, or public services may follow different schedules.

Amsterdam’s museums and major attractions are generally easier to visit during Easter than at Christmas. The official city guide states that most museums and attractions remain open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday, although times can change.

Restaurants often arrange Easter brunches and lunches. Reservations are sensible for Sunday and Monday, especially at hotels, popular cafés, and restaurants near the canals.

Shopping During Easter

Shops are allowed to open on Good Friday, but Amsterdam requires them to close by 7:00 p.m. The same early-closing rule applies on May 4 and December 24.

Regular outdoor markets may operate on Friday and Saturday. In 2026, Amsterdam’s official Easter guide listed the Albert Cuyp Market, Dappermarkt, and Ten Katemarkt among the markets open during the Easter weekend.

Easter Monday has a greater effect on office hours. Amsterdam City Offices list Monday, April 6 as a closure date in 2026.

April 27: King’s Day

King’s Day is Amsterdam’s biggest public celebration and the holiday most likely to disrupt a carefully planned itinerary.

In 2026, King’s Day falls on Monday, April 27. King’s Night celebrations begin on Sunday evening, April 26, with concerts, club events, and street parties across the city.

By Monday morning, Amsterdam turns orange. A citywide street market starts at 6:00 a.m., boats crowd the canals, and open-air celebrations take over large parts of the centre.

Amsterdam’s official visitor information describes King’s Day as the busiest day of the year in the city.

Are Shops Open on King’s Day?

Shops are permitted to open, but many central shopping streets don’t operate normally. Stores on Kalverstraat and other busy city-centre streets often close, while supermarkets may open for part of the day.

The usual shopping trip is replaced by the vrijmarkt, a huge street market where residents sell second-hand clothes, toys, books, household items, and almost anything else that fits on a blanket.

ATMs and small supermarkets can become crowded. Buy basic supplies before the celebrations begin.

Are Museums Open on King’s Day?

Some museums close, but several major institutions remain open.

The Rijksmuseum opens every day of the year, including public holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A timed ticket is still required.

Amsterdam’s official visitor guide also identifies the Anne Frank House, ARTIS, Hortus Botanicus, Moco Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Stedelijk Museum among attractions that have operated on King’s Day. Opening decisions can change each year, so confirm the 2026 schedule directly with the venue.

Reaching the museum may be harder than entering it.

Public Transport on King’s Day

Amsterdam uses a special transport plan on April 27. Streets close, tram routes change, taxis can’t enter parts of the centre, and busy stations use crowd-control measures.

For King’s Day 2026, Dutch Railways planned longer and additional trains. Amsterdam Science Park station was scheduled to close for the day, while visitors were advised to plan routes in advance.

GVB runs adjusted services within Amsterdam. In 2026, buses, trams, and metros followed a Saturday timetable, while ferries used a Sunday schedule.

Walking is often the most practical option in the centre. Even then, allow extra time.

Using the Canals on King’s Day

The canals become extremely crowded, and special navigation rules apply. In 2026, boats were limited to a maximum of 12 passengers plus the skipper, with a speed limit of 6 kilometres per hour.

Renting a boat without understanding the local rules is a bad plan. Book through a licensed operator and confirm whether the reservation includes a skipper.

May 4: Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day isn’t an official public holiday, but it affects Amsterdam more than some dates that are.

Commemorations take place around the city, including the national ceremony at Dam Square. Security zones, temporary road closures, and public transport changes may apply around major events.

All Amsterdam shops must close by 7:00 p.m. on May 4. No exemption is available for later trading.

Restaurants and evening attractions may remain open, but access around Dam Square and parts of the historic centre can be restricted.

May 5: Liberation Day

Liberation Day marks the end of the Second World War in the Netherlands. Festivals, concerts, memorial events, and community activities take place across Amsterdam.

It is listed as an official public holiday, but most employees don’t receive an automatic day off. Liberation Day is commonly treated as a general day off only once every five years, depending on employment agreements.

Most shops and businesses stay open on May 5. Amsterdam City Offices, however, list Tuesday, May 5 as a closure date for 2026.

Museum schedules require checking. Amsterdam’s visitor guide warns that some cultural institutions close or replace their normal programme with events connected to Remembrance and Liberation Day.

May 14: Ascension Day

Ascension Day falls on Thursday, May 14 in 2026.

Schools, government offices, and some businesses close, while Amsterdam’s tourism sector continues operating. Hotels, restaurants, canal cruises, and many museums usually remain available.

A Thursday holiday often encourages Dutch residents to take Friday off and create a four-day weekend. That can increase demand for hotel rooms and intercity trains.

Amsterdam City Offices will be closed on May 14.

May 24–25: Whit Sunday and Whit Monday

Whit Sunday, also called Pentecost Sunday, falls on May 24. Whit Monday follows on May 25.

Sunday has little effect on businesses that already operate seven days a week. Monday produces more noticeable closures among offices, banks, local services, and smaller shops.

Amsterdam City Offices will be closed on Whit Monday.

Museums and attractions commonly operate, but holiday hours may replace the normal Monday schedule. Reserve timed museum tickets rather than planning to buy them at the entrance.

December 25–26: Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Christmas Day falls on Friday in 2026, followed by Boxing Day on Saturday.

These are among the quietest dates in Amsterdam’s commercial calendar. Many shops, museums, local restaurants, markets, and services close on December 25. Some reopen on December 26 with shorter hours.

Amsterdam’s official visitor guide says most museums and attractions close on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. There are exceptions.

The Rijksmuseum remains open on both days. The Van Gogh Museum has also published 2026 opening hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for December 24, 25, and 26.

Tickets for the museums that do open can sell out. Fewer alternatives make advance booking more valuable than usual.

Christmas Restaurants

Many hotel restaurants and central venues serve Christmas lunch or dinner, often through fixed menus. Others close so staff can spend the holiday at home.

Book before arriving in Amsterdam. Finding an open table without a reservation on December 25 can be difficult, especially for a larger group.

Christmas Eve

December 24 isn’t an official public holiday. Shops can open, but Amsterdam requires all stores to close by 7:00 p.m.

Supermarkets may set earlier closing times of their own. Complete your shopping in the afternoon.

Other Important Dates That Aren’t Public Holidays

Several Dutch celebrations can affect a visit even though they aren’t official public holidays.

Sinterklaas is widely celebrated in Dutch homes on December 5, particularly by families with children. It isn’t a public holiday, and shops, museums, schools, and public transport generally follow their normal schedule.

Are Shops Open on Public Holidays in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam doesn’t impose a blanket ban on public holiday shopping. Stores are generally permitted to open between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., although individual businesses choose their own hours.

Large supermarkets and shops in tourist areas are more likely to open than independent stores. Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and King’s Day produce the greatest variation.

Three dates have a specific early-closing rule: Good Friday, May 4, and December 24. Shops must close by 7:00 p.m. on each of them.

Check the location rather than the brand alone. Two branches of the same supermarket can use different holiday hours.

Are Museums Open on Amsterdam Public Holidays?

Most Amsterdam museums and attractions open on at least some public holidays, but there’s no single schedule for the entire city.

Easter is usually straightforward. Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, King’s Day, and Liberation Day require more checking.

The Rijksmuseum is a reliable exception because it opens every day of the year. The Van Gogh Museum also operates daily, although its hours change by season and around Christmas.

Timed tickets remain necessary even when a museum is open. A public holiday doesn’t guarantee extra availability.

Do Trams and Trains Run on Public Holidays?

Trains, trams, buses, metros, and ferries continue operating on most public holidays. They may follow Sunday, Saturday, or special holiday timetables.

Dutch Railways treats the main national holidays as off-peak travel days. Its 2026 list includes New Year’s Day, Easter, King’s Day, Liberation Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.

GVB service desks and customer support can use adjusted hours during Easter, King’s Day, Ascension Day, and Pentecost.

King’s Day brings the largest route changes. Use the GVB, NS, or 9292 journey planner on the day rather than relying on a route saved weeks earlier.

Parking on Public Holidays

Paid parking rules don’t disappear automatically on a public holiday.

Where street parking is normally paid on Sundays, payment is also required on public holidays. Where Sunday parking is free, public holiday parking is generally free as well.

King’s Day has a separate rule: street parking is free throughout Amsterdam on April 27. Driving into the centre is still unwise because road closures and crowds restrict access.

Amsterdam’s P+R facilities use the weekend and public holiday rate. Arriving on a public holiday costs €6 per 24 hours under the city’s published tariff, although maximum parking periods and location-specific restrictions apply.

The Busiest Public Holiday Periods in 2026

King’s Day will create the greatest disruption. The celebration falls on Monday, while King’s Night takes place on Sunday, producing a full weekend of events and heavier demand for accommodation.

Easter creates a four-day period from April 3 to April 6. Many attractions remain open, which makes the weekend suitable for sightseeing, but timed tickets and restaurants can fill earlier.

Ascension Day falls on a Thursday. Some Dutch travellers may extend the break through Sunday by taking Friday off.

Christmas Day falls on Friday, creating a three-day weekend before the working week resumes. Museum choices will be limited, and restaurants serving Christmas meals may require advance payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is King’s Day always held on April 27?

King’s Day normally takes place on April 27, the king’s birthday. When April 27 falls on a Sunday, the celebration moves to Saturday, April 26. In 2026, it will take place on Monday, April 27.

Is everything closed on King’s Day?

No. Some museums, supermarkets, restaurants, and attractions remain open. Many city-centre shops close, public transport routes change, and walking through crowded areas takes much longer than usual.

Are Amsterdam museums open at Easter?

Most museums and attractions are open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. Opening hours and timed-ticket availability still vary by venue.

Is Liberation Day a day off in 2026?

Liberation Day is an official public holiday, but Dutch employees aren’t automatically entitled to the day off. Many employment agreements treat it as a general free day only once every five years.

Is Sinterklaas a public holiday?

No. Sinterklaas Eve on December 5 is an important Dutch family celebration, but it isn’t an official public holiday.

Are restaurants open on Christmas Day?

Some restaurants open with special Christmas menus, while others close. Reservations are strongly advised because the number of available tables is smaller than on a normal Friday.

Does public transport run on Christmas Day?

Yes, but services may follow a Sunday or holiday timetable. Check the journey planner before leaving, especially for early-morning airport connections.

Are shops open on Easter Monday?

Some supermarkets, chain stores, and shops in central Amsterdam open with reduced hours. Smaller businesses may close. There’s no single schedule that applies to every store.

Are public holidays good days to visit Amsterdam?

Easter, Ascension Day, and Pentecost usually allow normal sightseeing with minor changes. King’s Day is ideal for joining the celebration, but poor for moving quickly between attractions. Christmas and New Year require the most careful planning because more businesses close.

Check opening hours directly with each attraction before booking your itinerary. For King’s Day, reserve accommodation early and avoid planning several timed activities in different parts of the city.

Alison Adams

Alison is a travel writer passionate about solo adventures, photography, and memorable getaway escapes. She loves uncovering Cancun’s scenic coastline, boutique stays, local experiences, and hidden gems, creating stories that help curious travelers see more than the usual tourist highlights. Her work has been featured in Forbes, CNN, Travel + Leisure, Yahoo, and other major outlets.