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Mid-March to mid-May with a bit chilly weather and moderate prices is the best time to visit Netherlands. It's a period of the country coming to life: Keukenhof is bloomed with colourful tulips and the Hollandse Nieuwe Herring is the freshest. June through August boasts balm weather, fun events like Fierljeppen and tastes of Alkmaar cheese market but also shows tourist crowds and steep prices. Autumn off-peak season brings generous discounts to many hotels around the Netherlands. Winter will infatuate you with traditional Christmas treats and absence of tourist crowds at major sights. But whenever you get there, remember to pack an umbrella as the weather in the Netherlands is quite unpredictable.

77 things to do in The Netherlands

Dutch Countryside & Windmills

mid-April–late October Activity

Explore the scenic rural surroundings around Amsterdam: its windmill villages, fishing harbours, and local family farms

Red Light District

April–June | September–November (all year round) Activity

Marijuana, prostitutes, erotic shops, and even theatres—the place is able to satisfy any unspoken desires or mere curiosity. And though most think so, the district is not only about sex and stuff

Awakenings Festival

July 5–7, 2024 Event

Searching for a power-packed European techno event? Here you go!

North Sea Jazz Festival

July 12-14, 2024 Event

Another biggie on European summer circuit is the North Sea Jazz Festival in the port city of Rotterdam

Sailing and Cruising Season

March–December Activity

The Netherlands are made for sailing! Sail the beautiful rivers and channels to admire this beautiful country

Cranberries at Terschelling and Vlieland

mid-October–November Food

The island of cranberries is a true cranberry lovers destination now!

King’s Day (Koningsdag)

April 27 Event

Carnival, dancing, singing and as much fun as you can ever imagine take place on the King's day (Dutch: Koningsdag), known before 2013 as Queensday, throughout the Netherlands

Tulip Season

mid-March–late May Nature

These spring flowers transform the Netherlands into a large colourful carpet

Rotterdam Carnival Zomercarnaval

July 26-27, 2024 Event

Rotterdam summer sparks with the vibrant and colorful carnival

Ice Sculpture Festival in Zwolle

December 17, 2022–March 5, 2023 Event

Around 250,000 kilos of ice is yearly used to turn Zwolle's city centre into a majestic winter wonderland

Speculaas

early December Food

A popular Dutch Christmas treat

Easter Fires

March 31, 2024 Event

One of the most spectacular celebrations of Easter happens in the Netherlands!

Scheveningen New Year’s Dive—Nieuwjaarsduik

January 1 Activity

A typical Dutch tradition with a chilly turn!

Zeeland Mussels

July–mid-April Food

Zeeland is famous for two things - lobsters and mussels. Now is the time for mussels!

Hollandse Nieuwe Herring

May–July Food

Not every herring can be called Hollandse Nieuwe. Check the reason why this one gets the special name!

Bloemencorso Bollenstreek

April 20, 2024 Event

Spring brings lots of colors to Holland and is celebrated with the annual flower parade

Dutch Carnival—Vastelaovend

February 11–13, 2024 Event

Even though Carnival is more of a southern tradition, it's being widely celebrated in Catholic provinces of the Netherlands

Marathon Rotterdam

April 13-14, 2024 Event

One of Europe's most popular running events

Winter Fun at Hoge Veluwe

mid-December–January Activity

Beautiful snowy fairy tale exists!

National Mill Day

May 11-12, 2024 Event

Windmills and water mills open doors for all the fans

Alkmaar Cheese Market

March 29–September 27, 2024 (on every Friday and additional on Tuesday in July and August) Activity

No country is as famous with its cheese as the Netherlands is! Don't miss your chance to try out all the different cheeses available regionally in one place now

Whirling Elm Seeds

late April–late May Nature

Natural confetti all around Amsterdam!

Deer at Zandvoort aan Zee

September–October Nature

Visit National Park Zuid-Kennemerland now to witness some macho behaviour of deers

Skûtsjesilen Championships

August 3-16, 2024 Event

The championship of the typical Frisian ships is a highlight of the region

Flag Day Scheveningen

June 13 Event

More of a national day it is a celebration of all things Dutch, including the "new" herring!

Schiermonnikoog Island

June–August Nature

A great summer retreat spot to enjoy walks, hikes, and picnics

Orchids at Lauwersmeer

May–June Nature

Lauwersmeer park is a beautiful area at any time, but when the orchids bloom it turns into magic

Rollende Keukens (Rolling Kitchens)

May 8-12, 2024 Event

Enjoy the best meals from trucks in the middle of the city

Fierljeppen

May–August Activity

Watch the traditional Dutch sport and try it yourself

Birdwatching at Lauwersmeer

March–May Activity

Lauswersmer National Park is one of the top birdwatching destinations in Europe!

Snert

December–February Food

A thick Dutch version of split pea soup is particularly good during winter

The Four Days Marches Nijmegen

July 16-19, 2024 Event

The greatest walking event in the world attracts crowds of 40,000 people to Nijmegen

Magical Maastricht Christmas Market

November 28–December 30, 2024 Event

The city of Maastricht is famous for its beautiful Christmas market and holiday lights

Relief of Leiden

October 2–3 Event

The commemoration of the defeat of the Spanish siege in 1574 makes up a special celebration in Leiden

Keukenhof (Garden of Europe)

March 23–May 14, 2023 Nature

Witness seven million flowers blooming around you!

Venison

mid-October Food

With the grand​ opening of hunting season, all meat lovers prepare their forks and knives!

Open Garden Days of Amsterdam

June 14-16, 2024 Event

A unique yearly event opens the hidden gardens of Amsterdam

Oosterschelde National Park

June–August Nature

Do you want to see seals sunbathing? Visit Oosterschelde!

Eastern Scheldt Lobster

last Thursday of March–mid-July Food

The pride of Zeeland province, this lobster is like no other!

Football Orange Fever

March–November (on selected dates) Event

The Dutch are crazy about two things: football and orange colour

Gay Pride Canal Parade

August 3, 2024 Event

One of the most colourful and fun festivals on the canals of Amsterdam

Dauwtrappen: Kicking the Dew

May 25 Activity

The healthy yet odd custom fourty days after Easter

Sinterklaаs

November 17, 2024 Event

One of the most beloved traditional characters of the Christmas season in the Netherlands

Strawberry Season

March–December Food

The Netherlands have probably the best strawberries in the world!

Dunes at Texel

April–November Nature

The natural phenomenon of continuous sand drifting dunes at Texel National Park is a site for everyone to enjoy

Amsterdam Dance Event

October 16-20, 2024 Event

One of the biggest dancing events in Europe attracts 350,000 visitors from around the world yearly

Sail Amsterdam

mid-August 2025 Event

One of the rarest and most remarkable events in Amsterdam!

Amsterdam Light Festival

November 28, 2024-January 19, 2025 Event

Everything is illuminated around you. This is a period of Amsterdam beautifully transforming​ into a city from a fairy tale

Gouda by Candlelight

December 13, 2024 Event

The city of Gouda is not only famous for cheese, but also for its annual Christmas candle event

Smoked Eel

March–May, September–November Food

Once a staple food, gerookte paling now became a delicacy and a must try

National Tulip Day

January 18, 2025 Event

There can be no excuse to miss the National Day of one of the Dutch symbols—the tulip

Oliebollen

December 30–31 Food

A New Year culinary habit, attractive to most foreigners

Tulp Festival (Amsterdam Tulip Festival)

March 20-May 11, 2025 Event

Discover the most beautiful tulips during an amazingly bright event

Rijksmuseum

all year round Activity

Explore the best classic art by the masters of Dutch Golden Age

TCS Amsterdam Marathon

October 20, 2024 Event

A running event as a great occasion to visit the capital of Netherlands

Mysteryland

August 30-September 1, 2024 Event

The leading electronic music festival in the Netherlands

Best Kept Secret Festival

June 7-9, 2024 Event

Great music in a unique and intimate environment

Pinkpop Festival

June 21-23, 2024 Event

The oldest continuous pop festival in the Netherlands

Surfana Festival

September 6-8, 2024 Event

The best weekend for all surf-minded people spiced up with music, food, and arts

Redhead Days (Roodharigendag)

August 23-25, 2024 Event

A celebration of everything about ginger hair and redheads

Twente Ballooning

August 21–24, 2024 Event

One of the most popular ballooning events in the Netherlands

Sinterklaas Arrival Parade in Amsterdam

November 17, 2024 Event

Meet Dutch Santa Claus and his vigorous helpers

Christmas Markets in the Netherlands

mid-November–early January Event

The Netherlands Christmas markets are about to impress you with the variety of festive stalls and dazzling lights

Amsterdam New Year's Eve (Oud en Nieuw)

December 31 Event

The party capital of the Netherlands is a perfect place for a New Year bash

Friese Ballonfeesten

July 24–28, 2024 Event

Enjoy one of the Netherland's biggest balloon festivals in Joure, the Balloon City

Balloon Fiesta Barneveld

August 21–24, 2024 Event

A popular summer ballooning event in the Dutch province of Gelderland

Cherry Blossom

mid-March—mid-April Nature

Amsterdam is just as good at cherry blossoms as it is at tulip festivals

Valkenburg Christmas Markets

November 17, 2023–January 7, 2024 Event

Feel the genuine spirit of the holidays in the prime Christmas town of the Netherlands

Lomanstraat Street

late September - early November Nature

Don't hesitate to visit one of the most scenic streets in the world

Giethorn

mid-April–mid-October Activity

A village without roads, which is called the Dutch Venice

Ballonfestival Hardenberg

June 27-29, 2024 Event

The largest balloon festival in the Overijssel region

Balloonfair Staphorst

July 11–12, 2024 Event

A relaxed balloon party in East Netherlands

Breda Jazz Festival

May 9-12, 2024 Event

A long-lasting Ascension weekend tradition, drawing hundreds of thousands to the heart of Breda

Holland International Blues Festival

June 14–15, 2024 Event

Save the date for this unique jazz festival

Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival

June 28–30, 2024 Event

One of the largest bluegrass events in Europe

Amsterdam Wine Festival

April 18–21, 2024 | September 26–29, 2024 Event

Blending tradition and novelty, the festival celebrates timeless flavors of wine

Amsterdam Music Festival

October 19, 2024 Event

Dance till dawn with the biggest names in electronic music at the Amsterdam Music Festival

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