What the Second Day of Christmas Is
In the Netherlands, the Christmas season includes two consecutive public holidays: Eerste Kerstdag (First Christmas Day) on 25 December and Tweede Kerstdag (Second Christmas Day) on 26 December. Both are nationally recognised holidays, so the Dutch celebration of Christmas is not confined to a single day. The second day is not a distinct religious feast with its own liturgy in the way that, for example, Boxing Day carries specific traditions in the United Kingdom; rather, it functions as an extension of the Christmas holiday.
Origins
The observance of a second Christmas day in the Netherlands is part of a broader pattern across much of continental Europe, where the church calendar historically set aside two days for the Nativity. In Catholic and later Protestant practice, 26 December was associated with the feast of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Over time, the religious character of the day became less prominent in Dutch life, and Tweede Kerstdag evolved into a secular holiday that extends the Christmas break. Its status as an official day off is what distinguishes it most clearly in modern Dutch practice.
How the Day Is Marked
Because Tweede Kerstdag is a public holiday, many businesses, shops, and offices are closed or operate on reduced hours. The day is generally spent with family and friends, and it is common for people to travel to visit relatives they did not see on Christmas Day itself. The atmosphere is relaxed and social rather than ceremonial.
- Family gatherings: A second round of visits, often to the other side of the family, is a common way to spend the day.
- Rest and leisure: With most workplaces shut, the day serves as a continuation of the Christmas break.
- Outings: Some people use the free day for walks, day trips, or cultural visits, depending on the weather and local offerings.
Food and Drink
Food on Tweede Kerstdag tends to follow the same festive pattern as Christmas Day. Dutch Christmas tables often feature an elaborate spread known as a gourmetten arrangement, where small pieces of meat, fish, and vegetables are cooked by diners themselves on a tabletop grill or hot plate. This do-it-yourself style of dining is well suited to a long, sociable meal and is frequently repeated on the second day. Alongside this, traditional winter fare such as hearty stews, roasts, and baked goods may appear. Festive drinks, including warm beverages and seasonal beers or wines, are commonly served.
Religious and Civic Observances
Churches in the Netherlands hold services during the Christmas period, and some congregations mark 26 December with a service, often connected to the memory of Saint Stephen. Attendance, however, is generally lower than on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, reflecting the day's largely secular character in contemporary Dutch society. Civically, Tweede Kerstdag is simply an official public holiday, and there are no nationwide civic ceremonies specific to the date.
Public Festivities
Public festivities on 26 December are modest compared with the commercial and street activity of the preceding weeks. The run-up to Christmas, including Sinterklaas on 5 December and the shopping period before Christmas, carries far more public event activity. On Tweede Kerstdag itself, the emphasis is on private gatherings and quiet enjoyment of the holiday, though some towns and venues may host concerts, markets, or seasonal events.
Regional Variations
The Netherlands is a relatively small and culturally cohesive country, and Tweede Kerstdag is observed as a public holiday throughout. Regional differences in how the day is spent are therefore limited and tend to reflect local custom rather than distinct regional traditions. In the southern provinces, which historically have a stronger Catholic heritage, religious observance around Christmas may be somewhat more visible, while in the northern and western provinces the day is more uniformly secular. Specific local traditions vary by family and community rather than by any widely documented regional divide.
Summary
Tweede Kerstdag is the Dutch second day of Christmas, a public holiday on 26 December that extends the Christmas celebration beyond Christmas Day. Rooted in the historic two-day church observance of the Nativity and the feast of Saint Stephen, it has become a largely secular occasion centred on family visits, relaxed meals such as gourmetten, and time off work. It is observed nationwide, with differences in practice shaped more by family and local habit than by region.