Are Amsterdam Coffeeshops Open on Public Holidays? (2026–2028 Matrix)
Wondering if coffeeshops open on Christmas, King's Day, Easter, or New Year's Day? Check our complete 2026–2028 Dutch public holiday coffeeshop opening hours matrix.
Dave Mak
Amsterdam Cannabis Explorer
Are Amsterdam Coffeeshops Open on Public Holidays? (2026–2028 Matrix)
One of the most frequently asked travel questions is whether Amsterdam's licensed coffeeshops close during official Dutch public holidays (feestdagen).
The Core Legal Answer:
[!NOTE] Under Dutch law, there is NO statutory closure requirement for coffeeshops on public holidays.
Unlike general retail stores, supermarkets, or government offices, coffeeshops operate under hospitality (horeca) licenses. Coffeeshop owners are legally permitted to operate 365 days a year, between 07:00 AM and 01:00 AM.
While virtually all coffeeshops remain open on every holiday, operating hours and menu styles change dramatically on specific peak dates (such as King's Day, May 4th Remembrance Day, and New Year's Eve). Below is the definitive 2026–2028 opening hours matrix.
Dutch Public Holidays & Coffeeshop Opening Hours Matrix (2026–2028)
| Holiday Name | 2026 Date | 2027 Date | 2028 Date | Coffeeshop Status & Typical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day (Nieuwjaarsdag) | Thu Jan 1 | Fri Jan 1 | Sat Jan 1 | ⚠️ Open Late: Most open around 12:00 or 13:00; open until 01:00. |
| Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag) | Apr 3 | Mar 26 | Apr 14 | ✅ Normal Hours: Standard 08:00/09:00 – 01:00 schedule. |
| Easter Sunday & Monday (Pasen) | Apr 5–6 | Mar 28–29 | Apr 16–17 | ✅ Normal Hours: Very busy tourist weekend; full menus active. |
| King's Day (Koningsdag) | Mon Apr 27 | Tue Apr 27 | Thu Apr 27 | ⚠️ Modified Hours: Open early (08:00), many close early by 20:00. Pre-bagged menus & cash only. |
| Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking) | Mon May 4 | Tue May 4 | Thu May 4 | 🚨 Mandatory 19:00 Closure: Shops must close doors by 19:00 for the 20:00 2-minute national silence. |
| Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) | Tue May 5 | Wed May 5 | Fri May 5 | ✅ Normal Hours: Standard 08:00 – 01:00 schedule across the city. |
| Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag) | Thu May 14 | Thu May 6 | Thu May 25 | ✅ Normal Hours: Standard full operating hours. |
| Whitsun / Pentecost (Pinksteren) | May 24–25 | May 16–17 | Jun 4–5 | ✅ Normal Hours: Standard 08:00 – 01:00 schedule. |
| Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag) | Fri Dec 25 | Sat Dec 25 | Mon Dec 25 | ⚠️ Open (Reduced Staff): Over 85% of shops open, typically 10:00 – 22:00/01:00. |
| Second Christmas / Boxing Day (Tweede Kerstdag) | Sat Dec 26 | Sun Dec 26 | Tue Dec 26 | ✅ Normal to Full Hours: Standard 08:00/09:00 – 01:00 schedule. |
| New Year's Eve (Oudejaarsavond) | Thu Dec 31 | Fri Dec 31 | Sun Dec 31 | 🚨 Early Curfew: Almost 90% of shops close early between 18:00 and 20:00. |
Critical Holiday Nuances Every Traveler Must Know
1. The May 4th Remembrance Day Curfew (Dodenherdenking)
- On May 4th, the Netherlands observes National Remembrance Day for victims of World War II and subsequent conflicts.
- By municipal order, all commercial retail, bars, restaurants, and coffeeshops must close by 19:00 (7:00 PM).
- At exactly 20:00, a nationwide two-minute silence is observed. Public transport and flights pause. Many coffeeshops reopen after 20:30, while others remain closed for the night.
2. The December 31st New Year's Eve Lockout
- While shops can legally operate late, almost all coffeeshop teams close between 18:00 and 20:00 on December 31st so staff can celebrate with families.
- Only a tiny handful of shops (like Barney's, Green House Centrum, and Easy Times) traditionally operate past midnight.
- Pro-Tip: Stock up on your maximum legal 5 grams on December 30th or the morning of December 31st.
3. King's Day (April 27th) Cash & Takeaway Rules
- On King's Day, city center coffeeshops switch to pre-packaged bags (1g, 2g, 5g) to handle immense queues.
- Cell networks bottleneck, causing digital PIN card terminals to crash. Always carry physical cash.
- Many central coffeeshop lounges close their seating and operate strictly on a fast takeaway basis.
4. Christmas Day (December 25th)
- Unlike the UK or US where almost all commercial business shuts down on Christmas Day, Amsterdam's coffeeshops remain widely open.
- It is one of the coziest days of the year to visit, especially for enjoying tabletop Volcano vaporizers and artisan hot chocolates.
Holiday Survival Checklist for Cannabis Tourists
- Check Shop-Specific Schedules: While central shops remain open, smaller family-run neighborhood shops in Oud-Zuid or Oost may take Christmas or King's Day off.
- Stock Up 24 Hours in Advance: For major celebrations (King's Day and NYE), buy your cannabis 24 hours early to avoid 90-minute lines.
- Carry Valid Physical ID: Age checks (18+) are enforced 365 days a year without exception.
- Respect Public Smoking Restrictions: The €100 fine in the Red Light District blowverbod zone remains active on all holidays.
Find open coffeeshops near your hotel on our interactive coffeeshop map and browse up-to-date prices in our live strain menu tracker.
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