Festivals & Events

1. Fijne Koningsdag!

   Happy King's Day!

   Usage

   Greeting used on King's Day (April 27), the Netherlands' biggest national celebration

   Grammar Note

   Everyone wears orange and parties in the streets. Amsterdam is especially festive. Flea markets (vrijmarkt) pop up everywhere

2. Wanneer komt Sinterklaas aan?

   When does Sinterklaas arrive?

   Usage

   Used when anticipating the arrival of Sinterklaas in mid-November — a major Dutch tradition

   Grammar Note

   Sinterklaas delivers gifts on Dec 5 (pakjesavond). He arrives from Spain by steamboat, welcomed by a big celebration

3. Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een gelukkig Nieuwjaar!

   Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

   Usage

   The classic combined Christmas and New Year greeting used widely in the Netherlands

   Grammar Note

   In the Netherlands, New Year (Oud en Nieuw) fireworks are bigger than Christmas. Nationwide fireworks at midnight on Dec 31

4. Waar kan ik de Keukenhof bezoeken?

   Where can I visit the Keukenhof?

   Usage

   Used to ask about visiting Keukenhof, the world's largest flower garden, open in spring

   Grammar Note

   Keukenhof is in Lisse, open only late March–mid-May each year. Over 7 million bulbs are planted annually

5. Is er een vrijmarkt in de buurt?

   Is there a flea market nearby?

   Usage

   Used to find the nearest vrijmarkt (free market) during King's Day celebrations

   Grammar Note

   Vrijmarkt is a King's Day tradition: anyone can sell their stuff in public spaces tax-free. A uniquely Dutch shopping event

6. Heb je een pepernoot voor mij?

   Do you have a pepernoot for me?

   Usage

   Used during the Sinterklaas season to ask for pepernoten, the spiced cookie traditional to the holiday

   Grammar Note

   Pepernoten are small spiced Sinterklaas treats; they are often confused with "kruidnoten" in everyday speech but are not the same thing. Sinterklaas traditionally throws them for children to collect

7. Wanneer begint Bevrijdingsdag?

   When does Liberation Day start?

   Usage

   Used to ask about Liberation Day (May 5) events and free music festivals

   Grammar Note

   May 4: Dodenherdenking (Remembrance of the Dead). May 5: Liberation Day with free Bevrijdingsfestivals nationwide

8. Ik ga naar het Tulpenfestival in Lisse

   I am going to the Tulip Festival in Lisse

   Usage

   Used to say you are attending the Tulip Festival, centred around Keukenhof in Lisse

   Grammar Note

   Lisse is the heart of tulip country. The Tulip Festival draws visitors from around the world each spring

9. Waar wordt het vuurwerk afgeschoten?

   Where is the fireworks display launched from?

   Usage

   Used on New Year's Eve or Liberation Day to find where the fireworks are being launched

   Grammar Note

   "Afschieten" is separable. Passive "wordt afgeschoten" = is launched. New Year's fireworks are a massive nationwide event

10. Hoe vieren jullie Oud en Nieuw?

    How do you celebrate New Year's Eve?

    Usage

    Used to ask locals how they celebrate Oud en Nieuw (Old and New — Dutch New Year's Eve)

    Grammar Note

    "Jullie" = you all (plural). Singular = "jij/je". Traditional New Year's snack: oliebollen (deep-fried dough balls with raisins)

Browse all TravelPhrases languages