School Holidays in the Netherlands 2024-2025

Are you an expat parent in the Netherlands? Whether you’re planning a family vacation or simply looking forward to some relaxation, knowing the school holidays and the holiday calendar for the academic year 2024-2025 is essential. Below is a comprehensive guide to all the public holidays, term breaks, and other school holidays in the Netherlands for the academic year 2024/25. Let’s dive right in!

Overview of School Holidays in the Netherlands (2024-2025)

In the academic year 2024-2025, there are in total at least 95 days of Dutch school holidays. For those who are short on time, here’s a quick breakdown of the holidays:

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List of Public Holidays in the Netherlands 2024-2025

In the Netherlands, public holidays are determined by the Dutch government. The official dates for public holidays are observed across the entire country.

Here’s a list of the public holidays for the 2024-2025 school year:

1. Christmas Day (Eerste kerstdag): Wednesday, 25th December 2024
2. Boxing Day (Tweede Kerstdag): Thursday, 26th December 2024
3. New Year's Day (Nieuwjaarsdag): Wednesday, 1st January 2025
4. Easter Monday (Eerste paasdag): Monday, 21st April 2025
5. King's Day (Koningsdag): Saturday, 27th April 2025
6. Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag): Monday, 5th May 2025 (Note: Schools may be closed in some regions)
7. Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag): Thursday, 29th May 2025
8. Whit Monday (Pinksteren): Monday, 9th June 2025

On the public holidays listed above, all schools, most businesses and most government institutions are closed. However, schools can choose whether to be open or closed on certain religious or other special days that are not public holidays.

List of Term Breaks in the Netherlands 2024-2025

In the Netherlands, the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW) provides the 2024/2025 approved academic calendar with recommended dates for school holiday periods and term breaks.

School Term Break Dates 2024-2025

1. Autumn Break (Herfstvakantie)

• North & Central Region: 26 October to 3 November 2024
• South Regions: 19th October - 27th October 2024

2. Christmas Break (Kerstvakantie)

• All Regions: 21st December 2024 - 5th January 2025

3. Spring Break (Voorjaarsvakantie)

• North Region: 15th February - 23rd February 2025
• Central & South Regions: 22nd February - 2nd March 2025

4. May Break (Meivakantie)

• All Regions: 26th April - 4th May 2025*
• Note: Schools have the option to extend the May break by one week. OCW provides recommended dates for this extension: 19 April to 27 April 2025. Please check your school guide or the school’s website for the exact dates.

5. Summer Break (Zomervakantie)

• North Region: 12th July - 24th August 2025
• Central Region: 19th July - 31st August 2025
• South Region: 5th July - 17th August 2025

Explanation of the Regional Breaks

Similar to school holidays in France, the Dutch school system is divided into regions (North, Central, and South) to spread out school vacations and prevent overcrowding in popular vacation destinations.

The regional divisions consist of the following:

1. North Region: Includes provinces like Friesland, Groningen, and Drenthe.
2. Central Region: Includes provinces like Utrecht, Flevoland, and parts of Gelderland.
3. South Region: Includes provinces like North Brabant, Limburg, and Zeeland.

For the full list of provinces and municipalities in each region, please visit the Official Government Website.

Holidays in the Caribbean Netherlands

In the Caribbean Netherlands, the summer vacation coincides with the region where the vacation starts and ends first. The other holidays are determined locally.

Variations Based on the Types of School

The above dates that the government recommends are suggestions only and your school may deviate from these dates when establishing their own holiday dates. The actual number and length of school holidays depend on the type of school. Here’s how it generally works:

1. Public and Private Schools

• Standardised Holidays: Most public and private schools in the Netherlands follow a similar schedule for holidays, based on the guidelines provided by the OCW. This includes the key holidays like summer, Christmas, spring, and autumn breaks.
• Regional Differences: As mentioned earlier, the country is divided into three regions (North, Central, South) to spread out the holiday periods, especially for the summer, spring, and autumn breaks. This system ensures that not all schools are on break simultaneously, which helps to manage tourism and traffic.
• Additional Days Off: Schools may also have additional days off for teacher training or study days, which are determined by the school itself. These days are usually brief and scattered throughout the school year.

2. International Schools

• Different Calendars: IB Tutors in Netherlands note that the international schools in the Netherlands, which often follow curricula like the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the British curriculum (IGCSEs/A-Levels), such as the British School of Amsterdam, may have different holiday schedules. While they generally align with Dutch holidays, there can be differences in the length and timing of breaks to match the international academic calendar.
• Longer Summer Breaks: Some international schools may have longer summer holidays compared to Dutch schools, particularly if they align their schedule with other international institutions around the world.
• Varied Term Breaks: International schools might also have term breaks that differ in length and timing, reflecting the needs of their diverse student body and the specific academic requirements of the programs they offer.

3. Religious Schools

• Observance of Religious Holidays: Religious schools (e.g., Catholic, Protestant, Islamic) might observe additional religious holidays, such as Good Friday (Friday, 18th April 2025) and Eid al Fitr (Monday, March 31, 2025), or may have slightly different holiday schedules to accommodate specific religious observances. Schools are allowed, but not required, to give pupils the day off. Once such day-off is given, however, all pupils are off and not just those who observe the religious holiday. In such case, schools will typically announce the day-offs way in advance in the schoolgids (school prospectus) before the school year begins.
• When?: The dates for these holidays depend on the religious calendar and the specific traditions of the school community.

4. Special Needs Schools

• Custom Schedules: Schools for children with special needs might have slightly different schedules depending on the specific needs of the students. These schools may offer more frequent breaks or shorter school days to accommodate the educational and therapeutic needs of their students.

5. Flexibility in Holiday Length

• School Autonomy: While the OCW provides guidelines, schools do have some autonomy in adjusting holiday lengths, particularly for the autumn and spring breaks. This flexibility allows schools to tailor the holiday schedule to the needs of their students and faculty, within the framework provided by the government.

Despite the flexibility in arranging the exact term break and holiday dates, secondary schools are required by law to limit the number of days off to 55 days per year. Although the law does not set a fixed number of days off for children in primary schools, schools are required to provide at least 7,520 teaching hours during the eight years of primary school, averaging 940 hours a year.

List of Other School Holidays in the Netherlands 2024-2025

In the Netherlands, aside from public holidays and term breaks, there are other school holidays or special closure days that may vary depending on the school. These can include:

During these additional holidays, parents can explore various school care options such as outside school care (BSO), known as "Buitenschoolse Opvang", which is a form of childcare provided for school-aged children outside of regular school hours.

1. Study Days (Studiedagen)

• What Are They?: Schools may schedule study days for teachers' professional development or planning. On these days, students typically have the day off.
• When?: These are usually spread throughout the academic year and can be planned at the discretion of the school.

2. Teacher Training Days (Studie-of Werkdagen)

• What Are They?: These are days dedicated to teacher training, and students do not attend school. Schools use these days for staff meetings, training sessions, or curriculum development.
• When?: Similar to study days, these can be scheduled at any point during the year, and the dates are usually announced by the school in advance.

3. Carnival Break (Carnavalsvakantie)

For Carnavals, many schools in the south of the Netherlands schedule short holidays during this period.

• What Is It?: In the southern parts of the Netherlands, especially in regions like Limburg and North Brabant, schools may close for Carnival, a major cultural festival.
• When?: This break usually aligns with the Carnival celebrations, typically in February or March, but it's not a nationwide holiday and is specific to certain regions.

4. Extra Days Off Around Holidays (Brugdagen)

• What Are They?: Schools sometimes give extra days off around public holidays, especially if a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday. Schools might close on the Monday or Friday to create a long weekend, known as "brugdagen" (bridge days).
• When?: These days are determined by individual schools and may not be consistent across the country.

The staggered school holidays might contain benefits for students' studies. As an IGCSE tutor in the Netherlands said,

“The Dutch system’s regional staggering of holidays compared to the concentration of school holidays in the British system allows for more balanced periods of study and rest for the students”

Checking Specific School Holiday Dates

For these additional holidays, schools typically inform parents well in advance through school guides, newsletters, or school websites. It's always a good idea to check directly with your child’s school for a detailed and accurate schedule of these additional days off.

List of School Holiday Activities

School holidays are a perfect time for students to relax, explore new interests, and catch up on their studies. Whether your child attends one of the Best International Schools in the Netherlands or is preparing for important exams, there are plenty of activities to keep them engaged and productive. Here are five suggestions for activities that students can do during the school holidays:

• Explore Dutch Culture and History: Take advantage of the rich cultural heritage in the Netherlands by visiting museums, historical sites, and participating in local festivals. It’s a great way for students to learn outside the classroom while enjoying quality family time.
• Enrol in Private Tutoring: For students aiming to excel in their academics, especially those studying for the IGCSE or IB, the holidays are an excellent time to engage with a tutor. Whether you're looking for an IGCSE tutor in the Netherlands, an IB tutor in the Netherlands, or specifically an IB tutor in Amsterdam, private tutoring can help reinforce learning, address any challenges, and prepare for upcoming exams.
• Join a Sports Camp: Staying active is important, and sports camps are a fun way to keep fit during the holidays. Whether it’s football, tennis, or swimming, these camps offer structured activities that are both enjoyable and beneficial for students.
• Learn a New Skill: The holidays provide a great opportunity for students to pick up a new skill, whether it’s coding, cooking, or learning a musical instrument. Many workshops and courses are available that cater to different age groups and interests.
• Volunteer or Participate in Community Service: Encouraging students to give back to the community through volunteering can be a rewarding experience. It helps develop empathy, responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment, all while making a positive impact. Check out volunteering opportunities available for students in the Netherlands.

These activities not only help students stay active and engaged during the school holidays but also contribute to their overall development, making them better prepared for the challenges ahead.

Conclusion

The school holidays in the Netherlands for the academic year 2024-2025 offer ample opportunities for family time, relaxation, and cultural experiences. Whether you’re looking to stay local or travel abroad, these dates will help you plan your year effectively. Make sure to mark these holidays on your calendar and start planning your activities well in advance to make the most of the school breaks.

For any changes or specific variations in holiday dates, it’s always a good idea to check with your child’s school as they may have additional closure days or events planned. Happy planning!