When is Remembrance Day?
In 2026, Remembrance Day falls on Monday, May 4, 2026. It is an observance rather than a federal holiday, so federal offices and most businesses follow their normal schedules.
History of Remembrance Day
The Netherlands observes Nationale Dodenherdenking on May 4, the eve of Liberation Day. The national commemoration developed after the Second World War and has broadened over time to remember civilians and service members killed or murdered in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or elsewhere in war situations and peacekeeping operations.
At 8pm the country observes two minutes of silence, with the national ceremony held at Dam Square in Amsterdam alongside local ceremonies across the country. It is not a public holiday, but it is a profoundly visible civic observance: shops are legally required to close by 7pm and public life pauses for the silence.
The national ceremony on Dam Square follows a formal sequence and is accompanied by thousands of local commemorations. The definition adopted by the National Committee concerns all Dutch civilians and military personnel killed or murdered in the Kingdom or elsewhere in war and peace operations since the outbreak of the Second World War. May 4 is not a public holiday or automatic day off.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands includes the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The official remembrance definition refers to victims from across the Kingdom, but this calendar records dates for the country of the Netherlands; the other constituent countries maintain their own public-holiday calendars and legal arrangements.
How Remembrance Day is observed
A national commemoration, not an official day off. At 8pm there are two minutes of silence nationwide; shops close by 7pm.
Traditions of Remembrance Day
Community practice
Two minutes of silence begin nationwide at 20:00 after the Last Post, pausing ceremonies, broadcasts and much public activity. Its exact form varies among Dutch municipalities, communities and households.
Living tradition
The monarch and other representatives lay wreaths at the National Monument on Dam Square during the nationally televised ceremony. Its exact form varies among Dutch municipalities, communities and households.
Planning and participation
The Dutch flag is flown at half-mast from 18:00 until sunset under the national commemorative flag protocol. Its exact form varies among Dutch municipalities, communities and households.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Government of the Netherlands holiday guidance. Collective agreements and employer policies determine whether some public holidays are paid days off.
History sources: National Committee for 4 and 5 May: May 4, Government of the Netherlands: public holidays, Government of the Netherlands: Liberation Day, Royal House of the Netherlands: King’s Day.
Continue exploring