Which Are the Most Important Events in the Netherlands That You Should Look Forward to in the First Half of 2026?

Poker Festivals

The start of the year sees the poker season really open up in the Netherlands. January alone has already seen the Dutch Open Poker Series, along with the Dutch Championship Staff. In February, this will go one step further with the Utrecht Poker Series.

Casino games have been under intense scrutiny in the Netherlands, with the authorities being extremely diligent and enforcing rules when creating their legalised online gaming system. Yet it has made finding the right casino easier than ever, with websites that provide the best casino sites in the Netherlands ranked by bonus offers and customer service, amongst others. This has meant it now has a core of quality, regulated online casino operators providing both poker, other table games, slots and sports betting.

Dutch Carnival

Also known as 'Vastenavond, or 'Eve of the Fasting,' Dutch Carnival is a huge time for celebration. It is a catholic tradition but has its roots in pagan spring festivals. While each year provides a movable feast as it takes place just before Lent, this year it runs from Sunday, February 15, to Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The event is celebrated across Europe, and many of the traditions have sunk into the lore of the Dutch carnival itself. The general consensus is that societal norms get suspended, and fun and chaos ensue. Costumes are worn, the Prince of Carnival is chosen, and parties spring to life everywhere.

The main focus is on the giant parades. It is here that people gather in costumes and create large floats that poke fun at public figures and authorities. Certain cities will also have individual colours. For example, Eindhoven chooses orange and blue, while Maastricht opts for red, yellow and green.

Keukenhof Tulip Festival

The Netherlands is famous for its tulips, and nothing embodies that more than the Keukenhof Tulip Festival. Taking part in Lisse, it is open from March 19 till 10 May 2026, just as spring hits and the flowers begin to bloom. Each year, 7 million bulbs are planted by hand during autumn. When March comes, they begin to burst into life.

Keukenhof itself is often referred to as the ‘Garden of Europe’ and is located in what is known as the dune and bulb region. Built on the site of 15th-century hunting grounds, it is in the grounds of Castle Keukenhof. Wandering around, you will find 800 different tulips here, along with daffodils and hyacinths. Arranged in beautiful displays, they are simply stunning.

The height of the season is in April, when the Bollenstreek Flower Parade also takes place. It runs from Voorhout, through Lisse and onto Haarlem. It has long lines of imaginative floats created from thousands of flowers. You will also find many parades for Dahlias in the August months.

Koningsdag

Koningsdag translates as King’s Day. It is celebrated on April 27th and marks the birth of King Willem Alexander, the reigning monarch. A national holiday, events take place up and down the country and are often organised by local orange committees, though their form comes in many different guises.

Orange Day is known for its giant flea market. Sales can be made on the street without a permit or VAT, so everyone takes to tables and stalls to sell everything from unwanted goods to commercial items. Southern Amsterdam's Vondelpark is often a ground for many children to sell their unwanted toys.

Much of the public transport in central Amsterdam closes, as a free concert often takes place. This is in the Museumplein, and it is not uncommon for 800,000 people to gather there. Partying takes place on the streets and up along the canals to the Vrijmarkt. People tend to dress in orange and will dye their hair. Fun fairs also get very busy in this period. You will find some of King's Days silliest games to play these days, including the pastime of throwing the toilet bowl and attempting to bite the cake that hangs from a string.

For visitors, Amsterdam is one of the easiest cities to visit by air. From here, the Netherlands is small enough that travel to other places takes very little time. With excellent public transport and infrastructure, you shouldn’t have any issues.