26TH OF FEBRUARY TILL 1ST OF MARCH - CARNAVAL 17TH OF APRIL - EASTER The southern provinces of the Netherlands celebrate Carnaval just before the start Lent. Depending on which city you go to, there are different rules on how to dress. In Den Bosch you need to wear a typical scarf and jacket, in other cities you can wear, for example, an animal onesie or any other quirky outfit. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or just after the spring equinox. Typically, parents hide (chocolate) eggs for their children, who need to find them in an Easter egg hunt. The following day, Easter Monday, is a day off. 27TH OF APRIL - KING'S DAY The birthday of the king of the Netherlands is celebrated as a national holiday. Fun fact: before 2013, Queen's Day was celebrated on the 30th of April as the mother of the current king wished to honour her mother’s birthday which was on the 30th. Once king Willem-Alexander acceded to the throne in 2013, the date moved to April 27th. Dresscode: ORANGE! Don’t forget to eat orange tompouce. On King's Day, people go in the streets, sell little knicknacks or play games. Usual activities: biting gingerbread which hangs on a rope high in the air or guiding a nail tied to your waist with a rope into an empty bottle on the ground without touching it. To get more inspiration for nice games to play, read our blog article about King's Day! 4TH OF MAY - REMEMBRANCE DAY On Remembrance Day, a two minute moment of silence is held at 20:00 to pay respect to those who died during World War II. The national commemoration takes place at the Dam Square in Amsterdam. 5TH OF MAY - LIBERATION DAY The 5th of May is another national holiday commemorating World War II. In big cities you can come across liberation festivals with performances. 26TH OF MAY - ASCENSION DAY Ascension Day marks the time when Jesus ascended to heaven for the final time following his crucifixion and resurrection. Whitsun is a Christian celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit. It takes place on the Sunday 50 days after Easter. 5TH OF JUNE - WHI TSUN PAGE 24
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