New Year's Eve 2024 in the Netherlands

If you’re in the Netherlands on December 31, you can join in on festive New Year’s Eve celebrations and toast a welcome to the New Year.

Is New Year's Eve a Public Holiday?

New Year's Eve is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve

It’s a busy time of the year for businesses selling fireworks supplies on New Year’s Eve. City squares are often bustling with people who watch fireworks light up the night sky and cheer when the New Year arrives. The evening is celebrated either in homes, out in the town, or at nightclubs.

Many people take a moment to pop open a bottle of champagne right before midnight. Try eating an oliebol with your drink. It's a deep-fried Dutch donut covered with icing sugar and comes in different flavors.

About New Year’s Eve

New Year's Eve is the last day of the year and the day before New Year’s Day, which marks the start of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar. Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1582. It was adopted immediately in some areas of Europe but it was not used in various countries until even centuries later.

What’s Open or Closed?

New Year’s Eve is not a public holiday in The Netherlands but it is a busy time for shops as people stock up on supplies for dinners, parties and other social events.

Restaurants are particularly busy at this time of the year so if you’re hoping to eat out, make sure to book well in advance. Public transport services are often more crowded than usual and taxi companies may also be busier.

About New Year's Eve in Other Countries

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.