Ascension Day

Ascension Day is called Hemelvaartsdag in Dutch.

It is a Christian holiday that falls 40 days after Easter Sunday. In Christian belief, it marks the day Jesus Christ ascended into heaven after his resurrection.

In the Netherlands, Ascension Day is also a public holiday. It always falls on a Thursday, which makes it a popular moment for a long weekend.

In 2026, Ascension Day falls on Thursday 14 May.

For many people, the day is less about church and more about time off, family visits, cycling, walking and enjoying spring weather.

Is Ascension Day a public holiday?

Yes. Ascension Day is an official public holiday in the Netherlands.

But as with other Dutch public holidays, this can be confusing. There is no automatic legal right for every employee to have every public holiday off. Whether you are free depends on your employment contract, employer policy or collective labour agreement, known as a CAO.

In practice, many offices, schools and public services are closed on Ascension Day. Shops may be open or closed depending on local rules.

Why is Ascension Day always on a Thursday?

Ascension Day is always on a Thursday because it falls 40 days after Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday changes every year, so Ascension Day also changes. But because it is counted from Easter Sunday, it always lands on a Thursday.

This makes it one of the most useful public holidays for planning a short break. Many people take the Friday after Ascension Day off too. That creates a four-day weekend from Thursday to Sunday.

In Dutch, that Friday is often treated as a brugdag, or bridge day.

What is a bridge day?

A bridge day is a working day between a public holiday and the weekend.

Ascension Day falls on Thursday. The Friday after it is a normal working day. But if you take that Friday off, you can turn one public holiday into a long weekend.

Many Dutch workers do this. Schools and employers may also plan closures around it, depending on the year and the sector.

This is why Ascension week can be busy for travel, campsites, holiday parks and short city trips.

What do Dutch people do on Ascension Day?

Many Dutch people use Ascension Day as a spring holiday.

They go walking, cycling, visiting family or spending time outdoors. Some people go away for a long weekend. Others stay local and enjoy a quiet day.

For church communities, the day still has religious meaning. Churches may hold Ascension services in the morning.

For many secular households, Hemelvaartsdag is simply a welcome day off in May.

What is dauwtrappen?

One tradition linked to Ascension Day is dauwtrappen.

Dauwtrappen means walking or cycling very early in the morning, while the dew is still on the grass. The word comes from dauw, meaning dew, and trappen, meaning to step or pedal.

The tradition is older than its modern form. Today, it is mostly a spring outing. People wake up early, go for a walk or bike ride and sometimes end with breakfast or coffee.

It is not something everyone does, but it is strongly associated with Hemelvaartsdag. Some cycling clubs, churches, villages and local organisations still organise early morning routes.

If you want a very Dutch Ascension Day experience, try a morning bike ride through the countryside.

Are shops open on Ascension Day?

Some shops are open, but many have limited hours or stay closed.

Shop opening rules in the Netherlands depend partly on municipalities. Larger cities, tourist areas, supermarkets and shopping centres may have shops open. Smaller towns may be quieter.

Garden centres, DIY stores and furniture boulevards may also open in some places, especially if they expect holiday crowds.

Do not assume normal Thursday hours. Check before you go.

Are schools closed on Ascension Day?

Most schools are closed on Ascension Day.

Some schools may also close on the Friday after Ascension Day, depending on their yearly calendar. This can create a long weekend for families.

If you have children in the Netherlands, check your school’s calendar. School holiday planning can differ by region and school.

Public transport on Ascension Day

Public transport usually runs, but often on a holiday or Sunday-style timetable.

Trains, buses, trams and metros may run less often than on a normal Thursday. Routes to parks, beaches, cities and holiday areas can be busy if the weather is good.

Check your route in advance if you plan to travel.

Ascension Day and Pentecost

Ascension Day is part of the wider Easter season.

The order is:

• Easter Sunday
• Easter Monday
• Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter
• Pentecost Sunday, 50 days after Easter
• Whit Monday, the day after Pentecost

In Dutch, these are:

• Eerste Paasdag
• Tweede Paasdag
• Hemelvaartsdag
• Eerste Pinksterdag
• Tweede Pinksterdag

Together, they form the spring cluster of Christian public holidays in the Netherlands.

Is Ascension Day religious in the Netherlands?

Ascension Day is religious in origin. It marks the ascension of Jesus into heaven.

In daily Dutch life, the holiday is often more cultural and practical. Some people go to church. Many others treat it as a day off or the start of a long weekend.

This is common in the Netherlands. Christian holidays remain part of the calendar, even though many households celebrate them in a secular way.

Practical tips for visitors

• Check shop opening hours before going out.
• Book short trips early. Ascension weekend is popular for holiday parks, campsites and city breaks.
• Expect parks, beaches and nature areas to be busy if the weather is good.
• Check public transport schedules. Holiday timetables may apply.
• Try dauwtrappen if you want a local tradition: wake up early and go walking or cycling.
• If you work in the Netherlands, check whether you have Ascension Day and the Friday after it off.

Is Ascension Day worth knowing about?

Yes, especially if you live, work or travel in the Netherlands.

Ascension Day affects opening hours, schools, offices, transport and travel planning. It also creates one of the most popular long weekends in spring.

It is not a loud public celebration. It is more of a quiet national pause.

It is not a loud public celebration. It is more of a quiet national pause.

For many Dutch people, Hemelvaartsdag means one thing above all: a Thursday off, spring weather and the chance to make a long weekend.

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