Boxing Day in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, Boxing Day is called Tweede Kerstdag, or Second Christmas Day, and is listed as an official public holiday on 26 December. The name places it within the Dutch Christmas observance, while the rules for time off and shop opening depend on employment agreements and local decisions.[1][3]
A second Christmas Day
The Dutch government lists Eerste en tweede kerstdag, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, among the country’s official public holidays. In Dutch, 26 December is Tweede Kerstdag, the second day of Christmas. The government’s calendar confirms the date and name; the holiday is not described as a separate Boxing Day observance in the Dutch listing.[1]
The fixed date is 26 December. Its weekday can vary, and the calendar listing identifies the day itself as a public holiday. The national guidance does not promise employees an extra day off when a holiday falls on a weekend: whether a worker is entitled to time off is set by their collective labour agreement or employment contract.[1][3]
Its place in the Christmas season
A Dutch ethnologist interviewed by the Meertens Institute explains that religious feasts were traditionally observed over eight days: the feast day followed by seven more days. In this account, Second Christmas Day is a remnant of that longer festive period. This offers a historical explanation for the second day without establishing a single origin story for every custom now associated with it.[2]
The Dutch name emphasizes continuity with Christmas: it distinguishes 26 December as the second day of the celebration. The source describes the longer religious feast tradition, but does not establish a specific national ceremony, meal, or custom that all Dutch people follow on Tweede Kerstdag. Individual plans should therefore not be treated as universal holiday practice.[2]
Work and school closures
Being an official public holiday does not by itself give every employee a legal right to a day off. The Government of the Netherlands and Business.gov.nl say that the applicable collective labour agreement or employment contract determines whether an employee is free, whether the day counts against annual leave, and what applies to pay or a bonus if they work. Employees should check their own agreement for the rule at their workplace.[1][3]
Schools in the Netherlands are closed on public holidays, and the government specifically names Tweede kerstdag. For a particular school’s calendar, the government advises parents to check with the school; schools list closure dates in their prospectus. Check opening arrangements with the public office or bank before you go.[4]
Shop opening and practical plans
Shops must generally close on public holidays, including Christmas Day and Boxing Day. A municipality may allow shops to open on these days, so opening hours can vary by location. Some types of shops are exempt from the Trading Hours Act, including petrol stations, pharmacies, and shops in railway stations and airports.[5]
For a visit to a specific shop, check its own holiday hours and the local municipality’s rules. The national guidance explains the legal framework, but it does not give a nationwide list of shops that open on Tweede Kerstdag. It also does not set a public-transport schedule for the holiday, so check the relevant transport operator before travelling.[5]
Boxing Day in the Netherlands: FAQs
Is Boxing Day an official public holiday in the Netherlands?
Yes. The Dutch government lists Christmas Day and Boxing Day, or Eerste en tweede kerstdag, among the country’s official public holidays.[1]
Does everyone get the day off work?
Are schools closed on Tweede Kerstdag?
Yes. The government lists Tweede kerstdag among the public holidays when schools are closed. Check with the individual school for its calendar.[4]
Are shops open on 26 December?
Shops generally must close on public holidays, but municipalities may allow them to open, and some categories are exempt. Check local rules and the shop’s own hours.[5]
Sources and references
Sources used for Boxing Day in Netherlands:
- Which days are official public holidays in the Netherlands?- Government of the Netherlands
- November 2025: Waar komen onze kersttradities vandaan?- Meertens Institute
- Public holidays in the Netherlands- Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, SZW
- On which public holidays are schools closed in the Netherlands?- Government of the Netherlands
- Trading hours- Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO