Not an official holiday
New Year's Eve
01
Historical Context
New Year's Eve falls on 31 December every year. It is not an official holiday but is celebrated enthusiastically.
New Year's Eve marks the end of the calendar year. Celebrating with fireworks has been a centuries-old tradition in the Netherlands, although fireworks regulations have become stricter in recent years.
The Dutch celebrate New Year's Eve with oliebollen (deep-fried dough balls), appelflappen (apple turnovers), and champagne. At midnight, fireworks are set off en masse. The Oudejaarsconference on television is a fixed tradition: comedians look back humorously at the past year.
03
Frequently asked questions
Is New Year's Eve a day off?
New Year's Eve is not an official holiday, but many businesses close for half or the full day.
Can you set off fireworks on New Year's Eve?
The rules vary by municipality. More and more municipalities are banning fireworks, with exceptions for designated firework zones.