In countries where it is not marked as a public holiday, it has become common to move its commemoration to the following Sunday (a week before Pentecost) to allow more worshippers to attend mass. It is thought that Ascension Day was being marked as early as the fourth century, and it remains a significant observance in the Catholic Church. “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ The Dutch celebrate the end of the year with Oudejaarsavond – the last evening of the ´Old Year´, with champagne and fireworks.“He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. Nearly every home in Holland has a decorated Christmas tree for Christmas. People usually celebrate the holiday with their family and friends. Holland celebrates two days of Christmas: 1st and 2nd Christmas Day.
Small ice skating rinks are set up in many cities and villages. The biggest Christmas market is organised in Dordrecht.
You can visit several Christmas markets, such as the famous Dickens Festival in Deventer. As soon as Sinterklaas departs, the Christmas tree is put up and everything becomes Christmas themed. Sinterklaas is much more important in Holland than Santa Claus. Nicolas, who is called Sinterklaas in Holland, is celebrated on December 5. On this day as well, the Royal Family rides through The Hague in a parade in the horse-drawn ‘Golden Coach’. On that day, the so-called Prinsjesdag (Princes’ Day, also called ‘Budget Day’), the ruling monarch holds a ‘Speech from the Throne’ to publicly announce the political guidelines and budget for the coming year. The summer recess of government workers in the Hague ends on the third Tuesday in September. This is the official opening of the herring season and attracts a lot of visitors, especially in Scheveningen. The festival called Vlaggetjesdag (‘Flag Dag´), usually held around the first weeks of June, centers on the arrival of the first ´new herring´ catch in fishing ports. On May 5, Liberation Day is celebrated with concerts and festivals, such as Bevrijdingspop (´Liberation Pop´) in Haarlem.
On the fourth of May, the Day of Remembrance, special ceremonies are held in many cities and towns in Holland, to remember and honor both the civilians and the military personnel who have died as victims of wars and military peace-keeping missions. Live shows and concerts are held on city squares and you can enjoy the festive atmosphere in many pubs and cafés that turn orange for the occasion, for instance in The Hague, Utrecht and Amsterdam. In many Dutch cities, the King's Day festivities start the night before the actual holiday this is a special celebration called ‘King’s Night’. This is ´ King´s Day´ in Holland, and throughout the country festivities take place, with everything and everyone decked out in the colour orange – the colour of the royal family, the ‘House of Orange’. The biggest celebration of the year takes place every year on April 27. Searching for hidden (chocolate) Easter eggs is a beloved tradition in Holland. Municipal and government organisations are closed, however. The day before Easter, Good Friday, is a national holiday but some people still have to work depending on what they do. The Dutch enjoy a long weekend off for Easter. In addition, the American tradition of Valentine’s Day is gaining in popularity each year. In February, Carnival is celebrated in many regions, with traditional costumed parades and partying. On the first of January, some Dutch people greet the New Year by taking an invigorating plunge into cold water, for instance the traditional New Year’s Day ´Dip in the Sea´ on the beach in Scheveningen.
In Holland there are a multitude of official and traditional holidays that the Dutch enjoy celebrating.
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