Summer holidays 2029
Region South
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Summer holidays
The summer holidays 2029 runs from 14 July to 26 August.
The summer break is the longest school holiday of the year, lasting about six weeks from mid-July to late August. The dates are staggered across the three regions to reduce traffic congestion.
For most families, this is the main holiday of the year, when they travel abroad or plan longer trips. The break typically starts in mid-July for the first region and runs until late August or early September for the last.
It is also the period when children transition to a new class or school, making the summer break a natural moment of change.
Activities during the summer holidays
Many families head abroad for their holidays, but the Netherlands has plenty to offer too. The coast at Scheveningen and Zandvoort attracts millions of visitors, and the Wadden Islands are a popular destination for families.
Theme parks like Efteling and Walibi operate at full capacity, and on warm days lakes and swimming spots across the country are packed. The Frisian lakes are popular for sailing and water sport holidays, and the Biesbosch National Park offers canoe and kayak routes through a unique freshwater tidal area.
Summer festivals such as Lowlands, Down the Rabbit Hole and Mysteryland take place during this period. For younger children, many municipalities organise summer games, outdoor sports days and playground festivals.
Practical info about the summer holidays
The staggering of the summer break helps, but the first and last holiday weeks sometimes overlap between regions, still causing congestion. Schiphol Airport is particularly busy in July and August; arrive well in advance.
Many swimming pools and recreation parks offer summer programmes for children who stay home. Keep in mind that childcare providers often run adjusted schedules during the summer months, and popular locations may have waiting lists.
The ANWB recommends departing on a Tuesday or Wednesday rather than Saturday to avoid the worst traffic jams. Campsites on the Wadden Islands and in Zeeland are sometimes fully booked months in advance, so reserve as early as possible.
Did you know this about the summer holidays?
The staggering system for the summer break was introduced to prevent all 17 million Dutch people from hitting the road on the same day. Even so, it remains one of the busiest traffic periods of the year, with notorious traffic jams heading towards southern Europe on the first holiday Saturdays.
The A7 towards Germany and the A2 towards France and Belgium are among the busiest routes. France, Spain and Germany have been the most popular foreign destinations for Dutch holidaymakers for years.
Interestingly, about a third of Dutch families stay in the Netherlands during the summer break. The total length of the Dutch coastline is approximately 450 kilometres, which explains why the beaches still offer space despite the crowds.