Good Friday

Good Friday is called Goede Vrijdag in Dutch.

It is the Friday before Easter Sunday. In the Christian tradition, it remembers the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a serious day in the Christian calendar, not a celebration.

In the Netherlands, Good Friday can be confusing. It appears on official public holiday lists, but not everyone gets the day off work.

In 2026, Good Friday falls on Friday 3 April. Easter Sunday follows on Sunday 5 April, and Easter Monday on Monday 6 April.

Is Good Friday a public holiday?

Yes, Good Friday is listed as a public holiday in the Netherlands.

But that does not automatically mean everyone is free from work.

The Netherlands does not have a general legal rule that gives every employee a day off on every public holiday. Whether you are free depends on your employment contract, employer policy or collective labour agreement, known as a CAO.

So the practical answer is:

Good Friday is an official public holiday, but not always a guaranteed day off.

This is different from Easter Monday, when many more people are off.

Who usually gets Good Friday off?

Some people are more likely to have Good Friday off than others.

Government offices, some schools, banks and certain public institutions may close. Many Christian organisations and schools also observe the day.

Private companies vary. Some stay open as usual. Others give staff the day off. Some companies treat Good Friday as part of a long Easter weekend.

If you work in the Netherlands, check your contract or CAO. Do not assume you are free just because Good Friday appears on the holiday calendar.

What does Goede Vrijdag mean?

Goede Vrijdag literally means Good Friday.

The word “good” can feel strange because the day remembers the death of Jesus. In Christian theology, the name refers to the belief that Jesus’s suffering and death led to salvation.

For churches, Good Friday is one of the most solemn days of the year. Services are often quiet and reflective. Some churches hold evening services, readings or musical performances such as Bach’s St Matthew Passion.

How is Good Friday observed in the Netherlands?

Good Friday is not very visible in daily Dutch life unless you are part of a church community.

There are no large national street celebrations. There are no fireworks, markets or parades. Many people simply work as usual or start their Easter weekend quietly.

In Christian communities, the day is marked with church services, silence, prayer and reflection. Some people attend concerts or performances of Passion music. Others watch televised religious or cultural programmes.

For many secular Dutch households, Good Friday is mainly the start of the Easter weekend.

Are shops open on Good Friday?

Many shops are open on Good Friday, but opening hours can differ.

Some shops may close earlier than usual. Supermarkets are often open, but hours may vary by location. Government offices and some public services may be closed.

The safest advice is simple: check opening hours before you go, especially for banks, municipal offices, schools, museums and smaller shops.

Easter Sunday and Easter Monday usually affect opening hours more than Good Friday.

Are schools closed on Good Friday?

This depends on the school.

Some schools close on Good Friday. Others stay open. School calendars can vary by region, school type and religious background.

The Easter period may also overlap with spring or May school holiday planning, depending on the year.

If you have children in the Netherlands, check the school’s own calendar. Do not rely only on the national public holiday list.

Good Friday and Easter weekend

Good Friday is part of the Easter period.

The basic order is:

• Good Friday: remembrance of the crucifixion
• Easter Sunday: celebration of the resurrection
• Easter Monday: second Easter day and public holiday

In Dutch, these are:

• Goede Vrijdag
• Eerste Paasdag
• Tweede Paasdag

For many Dutch people, Easter is more about a long weekend, brunch, family visits, garden centres and the first signs of spring than about church. But the religious structure still shapes the calendar.

Good Friday vs Easter Monday

Good Friday and Easter Monday are often treated differently in practice.

Good Friday is serious and religious in meaning, but not always a day off.

Easter Monday is more widely treated as a free day. Many offices and schools are closed. People use it for family activities, walks, home projects or visiting furniture stores and garden centres.

So if you are planning travel, shopping or work around Easter, pay close attention to both days.

Is Good Friday important in Dutch culture?

Good Friday is important in the Christian calendar, but it is not one of the most visible Dutch public traditions.

King’s Day, Sinterklaas, Remembrance Day and Liberation Day are more culturally visible. Easter itself is also more noticeable than Good Friday because of brunches, eggs, paasstol and Easter Monday.

Still, Good Friday matters because it begins the central Christian weekend of the year. It also explains why Easter Sunday and Easter Monday follow.

Practical tips for visitors

• Check opening hours before visiting shops, museums or public offices.
• Do not assume you have the day off work. Ask your employer or check your CAO.
• Book Easter weekend travel early. Trains, parks and hotels can be busy.
• If you want to attend a church service, check local church websites. Many services are in Dutch, but international churches may offer English-language services.
• Buy groceries before Easter Sunday. Good Friday is usually easier for shopping than Easter Sunday, but stores can still be busy.

Is Good Friday worth knowing about?

Yes, even if you are not religious.

Good Friday helps explain the structure of Easter in the Netherlands. It is the quiet day before the Easter weekend becomes more social and family-focused.

For some people, it is a normal working Friday. For others, it is a serious religious day. For many, it is the start of a long weekend.

That mix is typical of Dutch public holidays: official on paper, practical details depending on your work, school and local situation.

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