feestdagen

Feestdagen, literally “feast days,” is a Dutch term used for days set aside for celebration, remembrance, or religious observance. In Dutch-speaking contexts it covers both religious feast days and secular or national holidays. Public feestdagen are often days off for schools and many workplaces, but the exact status and closures vary by country, region, and year.

The concept is divided into several categories. Official public holidays are days recognized by government or tradition, on which services may be closed and people commonly take time off. Examples include New Year’s Day, Easter, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Christmas, and regional or national celebrations such as King’s Day or Liberation Day in the Netherlands; Belgium has its own list of public holidays with regional variations for Flanders and Wallonia. Religious feast days are observed by congregations with services, processions, or family gatherings, such as Christmas and Easter, All Saints’ Day, and other saints’ days depending on local practice. Remembrance or commemorative days, such as national days of memory or civic events, are also included under the broader notion of feestdagen.

Regional variation is important: lists and practices differ between the Netherlands, the Flemish part of Belgium, and other Dutch-speaking communities. Some days are widely observed across borders, while others are more specific to a country, region, or religious community. Feestdagen reflect a blend of historical, religious, and cultural traditions in Dutch-speaking societies.