Holland is an exciting place to explore year-round, with lively music festivals, cultural events and deep-rooted traditions. Whether visiting over the winter break or during summer, this country promises fun for all ages.
Read on to learn more about Holland’s top events, including the Amsterdam Tulip Festival, Rotterdam Summer Carnival and Open Monuments Day. We’ve also included tips on what to pack for a festival to help you get organised.
Visit GetYourGuide Netherlands to inspire your itinerary.
Ferries from the UK to Holland
Reaching Holland by ferry from the UK is easy. Our ferries to Holland offer excellent amenities, including Duty Free shopping, daily entertainment and fine-dining options. Comfort and flexibility are at the heart of our offering, with overnight sailings available to help you find a time that suits you.
Our Newhaven to Amsterdam route is ideal for travelling to Holland. Amsterdam Port sits in the heart of the country, making it perfect for exploring nearby areas. If you’re planning a longer road trip around Europe, explore our Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk and Newhaven to Dieppe ferry crossings.
Learn about the local rules in our driving in Europe guide. Exploring with your other half? Our guide to couples' trips has plenty of advice for a memorable holiday.
Winter events in Holland
Find our top picks of the best winter events in Holland below.
Rotterdam International Film Festival (January-February). Established in 1972, the Rotterdam International Film Festival celebrates emerging and international artists. It focuses on independent and experimental filmmaking techniques and attracts visitors from around the world.
Sinterklaas Parade (November-December). The Dutch capital is famous for hosting great festivals and events, and the Sinterklaas Parade is among its best. It celebrates Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, who sails along the Amstel River with his 600 assistants.
Amsterdam Light Festival (December). Amsterdam is a treat year-round, but it shines a little brighter during the iconic Light Festival. Literally! Enjoy interactive performances and over 20 light exhibitions along the canals.
Spring events in Holland
Spring is bloom season, meaning Holland is the only place to be. Below are some of the best spring events around the country.
King’s Day (April). Perhaps Holland’s most iconic celebration, King’s Day commemorates the birth of King Willem-Alexander with street parades, live music and dance parties.
Amsterdam Tulip Festival (April). Marvel at blooming tulips across 85 locations, with Keukenhof the highlight. Known as the ‘Garden of Europe’, it’s home to over 7 million tulip bulbs that create colourful flower beds.
Flower Parade (April). Same theme, but a different show. The Flower Parade showcases colourful floats decorated with tulips, daffodils and hyacinths and travels 42km across different Dutch locations.
Summer events in Holland
Summer is a great time to visit Holland, with fantastic events taking place across the country. Here are some of the highlights.
Pinkpop Festival (June). Held in the city of Landgraaf in Limburg, the Pinkpop Festival is a popular pop and rock event. It was established in 1970 and runs over three days, with 60,000 people attending each day.
Rotterdam Summer Carnival (July). Famous as one of Europe’s largest Latin American celebrations, the Rotterdam Summer Carnival is part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List. Over 2,000 dancers flock to the streets, enjoying live music and parades.
Amsterdam Pride (August). As the city with one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ communities, Amsterdam goes all out for its Pride celebrations. The highlight is the canal parade with over 80 decorated boats, DJs, go-go dancers and drag queens.
Autumn events in Holland
Travelling to Holland this autumn? Below are some go-to events.
Open Monuments Day (September). History buff? Open Monuments Day was founded in 1987 with the aim of introducing everyone to the country’s rich cultural heritage. Museums, art galleries and other historic landmarks across the country are open and free of charge.
Amsterdam Dance Event (October). Established in 1996, the Amsterdam Dance Event is a five-day electronic music festival and conference. Over 2,500 artists perform across 200 venues. This event attracts 400,000 visitors, making the Dutch capital one of the world’s most vibrant nightlife hubs.
GLOW Festival Eindhoven (November). Held for the first time in 2006, the GLOW Festival in Eindhoven showcases light art and design applications by using new media technologies. The artworks are connected by a 5 km walking route through the city centre.
Festival packing checklist
If you’re planning to attend any of these incredible events, we’re here to help you decide what to pack. Our festival packing checklist includes the following must-haves:
1. Documents
Festival tickets
ID
Money and cards
2. Camping equipment
Tent and tent pegs
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat/inflatable mattress
Foldable camping chair
Torch and lamp
Reusable water bottle
Camping pillows
3. Clothes
Wellies or sturdy boots
Warm jumper/fleece jacket
Waterproof jacket
A change of clothes for each day
Warm socks
Hat and sunglasses
4. Other essentials
Toiletries
Sun cream and lip balm
Toilet rolls
First-aid kit
Earplugs and eye mask
Phone, phone charger and power bank
Bin bags
Our routes
Newcastle to Amsterdam
If you’re travelling to Holland from the north of England, our Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry crossing is your best option. Sail overnight and enjoy maximum comfort, Duty Free shopping and fantastic entertainment throughout the day.
Dover to Dunkirk
With a journey time of just 2 hours, our Dover to Dunkirk ferry crossing gives you access to Belgium, France, the Netherlands and more. Enjoy dining and Duty Free shopping on board.
Dover to Calais
Kickstart your holiday with our Dover to Calais ferry crossing and arrive in France in just 100 minutes.
