The new year is an important date in the Netherlands. This is mainly because the people there get very few national holidays, and New Year’s Day is one of the few.
Because of that, people tend to go all out celebrating New Year’s Eve (Oudejaarsavond) and New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag). So you’ll definitely want to know how to wish a Happy New Year in Dutch!
How Do You Say Happy New Year In Dutch?
There are only three ways to wish a Happy New Year in Dutch, and they are:
- Happy New Year – Gelukkig nieuwjaar.
- Best wishes – Beste wensen.
- Have a happy ending/good ending (to the year) – Fijn uiteinde.
The most common phrase is gelukkig nieuwjaar, which can be used in any situation with anyone. No need to worry about formalities! To know how to pronounce each of these Dutch phrases, be sure to click on the orange button to listen.
How Do The Dutch Celebrate New Year’s Eve?
- New Year’s Eve – Oudejaarsnacht
The Dutch follow the Georgian calendar. This means New Year falls between December 31st and January 1st, which is essential to know if you’re specifically planning to be in Amsterdam or elsewhere in the Netherlands to celebrate! In fact, you may want to brush up on how to read and say times and dates in Dutch.
The translation of New Year’s Eve (Oudejaarsnacht) into English means “Old Year’s Night.” There’s something poetic about this: you say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new year.
New Year’s Eve in the Netherlands is celebrated much like it is in the West, with friends and family, fireworks, and drinks. It’s common for people to go to parties or host a party around the cities. But, it’s also quite common for people to stay home and watch the traditional New Year’s Eve shows that showcase comedy and cabaret until the live New Year’s countdown.
At midnight, there is a countdown with everyone shouting out numbers in Dutch. The streets become alight with fireworks, marking the occasion of sending off the old year and bringing in the new one. Fireworks are shot off by people in the streets, including children. Large cities such as Amsterdam will also have massive fireworks productions to bring in the new year.
Apparently, everyone is encouraged to shoot fireworks in the Netherlands due to an ancient pagan belief that the loud noises and lights will drive off evil spirits, cleaning the slate for the new year.
How Do The Dutch Celebrate New Year’s Day?
- New Year’s Day – Nieuwjaarsdag
New Year’s Day is reserved for lovely (and often expensive) brunches, lunches, and dinners in some nations. Not in the Netherlands! Instead, the first day of the year is more of a recovery day. Most people don’t go to bed on New Year’s Eve because they are partying into the early morning, but they don’t necessarily go to bed!
Oh no… that wouldn’t be the true way to start the new year. You have to do it right! But how?
By jumping into the freezing sea waters! This popular custom takes place mostly in The Hague (Scheveningen) in the North Sea, where thousands show up to “polar bear” dip into the ice-cold waters. Talk about an instant hangover cure!
That said, there are other less intense ways to spend the day, such as relaxing with family.
What Are Common New Year’s Resolutions In The Netherlands?
- New Year’s Resolution – Het Goede Voornemen
Dutch people enjoy making New Year’s resolutions, and sometimes families will even make them together. Here’s how to pronounce and translate resolutions into Dutch so you can share yours with others, such as friends or family:
| English | Dutch | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I wish to spend more time with family | Ik wil meer tijd met familie doorbrengen | |
| I will quit smoking | Ik ga stoppen met roken | |
| I will stop drinking alcohol | Ik stop met het drinken van alcohol | |
| I will exercise more | Ik ga meer sporten | |
| I will eat better | Ik zal beter eten | |
| I am going to learn a new skill | Ik ga een nieuwe vaardigheid leren |
A Traveler’s Guide To Dutch New Year’s Eve
To have a smooth and truly local experience celebrating Oudejaarsavond in the Netherlands, here are some top tips:
- Book early and sort transport first: Accommodations and tickets for parties or special dinners in major cities sell out weeks in advance. More crucially, public transport stops running around 8:00 PM on December 31st and doesn’t resume until the early morning. You need to have a plan (like a pre-booked taxi or a place to stay within walking distance) well before that time to avoid being stranded.
- Know the local rhythm: New Year’s Eve is a two-part celebration in the Netherlands. First, people gather privately for dinner and drinks with family or friends at home or in a restaurant. Then, at midnight, everyone goes outside to watch and set off vuurwerk. If you’re celebrating in a city center, this is when the streets will suddenly fill with people.
- Respect the fireworks, but be smart: Locals can legally set off fireworks from 6:00 PM on the 31st until 2:00 AM on the 1st. While spectacular, this means the streets can get very loud and chaotic. Be aware of your surroundings after dark, watch for stray fireworks, and expect the air to be smoky. For a safer, large-scale display, head to official public shows.
- Embrace Food Traditions: No Dutch New Year is complete without trying oliebollen. These deep-fried dough balls covered in powdered sugar are sold at street stalls and bakeries throughout December and are the quintessential festive Dutch food.
Common New Year’s Words And Phrases To Know In Dutch
This guide wouldn’t be complete without some Dutch vocabulary related to the New Year celebrations, would it?
| English | Dutch | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Champagne | champagne | |
| Cheers | proost | |
| Countdown | aftellen | |
| Dancing | dansen | |
| Fireworks | vuurwerk | |
| Gown | gewaad | |
| Midnight | middernacht | |
| Party | feest | |
| Toast | de toost |
Happy New Year In Dutch: Frequently Asked Questions
Is December 31 A Holiday In The Netherlands?
No, December 31 is a normal working day in the Netherlands. Many employees leave work early to prepare for Oudejaarsavond (New Year’s Eve), but it is not an official public holiday. The official public holiday is Nieuwjaarsdag (New Year’s Day) on January 1.
What Happens On December 5th In The Netherlands?
December 5th is Pakjesavond (Present Evening), the main celebration of the Sinterklaas holiday.
It’s the traditional Dutch gift-giving night where families gather, exchange presents accompanied by funny poems, and enjoy special treats like chocoladeletters (chocolate letters) and pepernoten (spiced cookies). While not a public holiday, it is a major cultural event for many Dutch people.
Where Is The Best Place To Celebrate New Year In The Netherlands?
The best place depends on the experience you want. Amsterdam is perfect for a large public celebration, with a spectacular “Electric Fireworks” show at Museumplein.
Rotterdam hosts the nation’s biggest music-synchronized fireworks display by the Erasmus Bridge. For a coastal tradition, Scheveningen (The Hague) is famous for its massive bonfires and the famous Nieuwjaarsduik (New Year’s Dive). For a magical family night, the Efteling theme park offers a fairy-tale setting with fireworks.
Why Is New Year’s Eve So Loud In The Netherlands?
It’s loud because lighting fireworks is a deeply ingrained tradition. It’s legal for individuals to set off fireworks between 6:00 PM on December 31st and 2:00 AM on January 1st in permitted areas.
The result is a chaotic, spectacular, and very noisy street celebration in many cities and towns. For a safer experience, it’s recommended to watch the professional public displays in major cities instead.
Ready To Ring In The Dutch New Year?
Now you’re all set to experience the unique joy of Dutch New Year’s! We’ve covered everything from essential phrases like Gelukkig nieuwjaar! to the traditions that define the celebration.
Remember, the night starts with cozy family gatherings and ends with the spectacular, city-wide spectacle of fireworks (vuurwerk), a tradition locals love for chasing away the old year’s spirits. For the truly adventurous, your first day of the year could even begin with the iconic Nieuwjaarsduik, a bracing plunge into the North Sea!
Whether you choose the grand public displays in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the coastal bonfires in Scheveningen, or the fairy-tale magic of Efteling, you’re now equipped with Dutch greetings and vocabulary to celebrate Oudejaarsavond on the local secrets.
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Oh, and gelukkig nieuwjaar to you if you’re reading this around New Year’s!
