When should we visit the Netherlands in the 2026–27 Gulf school holidays, and what suits each break?
By the Saudi 1448 school calendar, the autumn break starts November 20, 2026, the mid-year break January 8, 2027, the Eid al-Fitr break February 26 (back March 14), the Eid al-Adha break May 7, and summer after the last school day on June 24, 2027. Each break suits something different: Keukenhof is open March 18 to May 9, 2027, Giethoorn’s season runs from April to October, and the Roermond outlet is open all year except December 25 and January 1.
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By the hour for holiday trips
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, holiday day trips | €65 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, holiday day trips | €80 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, holiday day trips | €100 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
A Giethoorn day is 8 hours (€520 in Business Class) and a Roermond day 10 hours (€650), per car. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20–26, 2026) fixed ADE-week prices apply, shown before you book; promo codes cannot be used that week. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At an airport or an intercity station the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
Each break and what suits it
| Break | Starts | Sunset (about) | Good trips | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn | November 20, 2026 | 4:45pm | The Roermond outlet, and the Christmas markets in Valkenburg | some Giethoorn boat rentals close from November to mid-March |
| Mid-year | January 8, 2027 (back January 17, 2027) | 4:45pm | Roermond and Amsterdam | Valkenburg’s Christmas markets end on January 3 |
| Eid al-Fitr | February 26, 2027 (back March 14, 2027) | 6:35pm on Eid | Roermond and Amsterdam | Keukenhof opens just after, on March 18 |
| Eid al-Adha | May 7, 2027 | 9:30pm on Eid | Giethoorn, the outlets, and Keukenhof until May 9 only | Giethoorn’s busy season has begun: book the boat early |
| Summer | after June 24, 2027 | 10:05pm | Giethoorn in the morning, Roermond on weekdays | peak season: book the chauffeur and the boat before you travel |
Dates from the Saudi school calendar as published by Okaz and mdares; the next school year starts August 22, 2027. They differ slightly in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Taif, and in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. Sunset in Amsterdam, local time (NOAA).
Eid is not a public holiday in the Netherlands
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are not official holidays in the Netherlands, so stores and the outlets keep their normal hours on Eid.
Winter in Valkenburg
Christmas town Valkenburg (Kerststad Valkenburg) runs from November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027, with markets inside the caves, which suits the autumn break together with a day at Roermond: Roermond with Maastricht or Valkenburg.
Related questions
Is Keukenhof open during the 2027 Eid al-Adha break?
Only at its start: the break begins May 7, 2027, and Keukenhof closes on May 9. During the Eid al-Fitr break it has not opened yet; it opens on March 18.
When should we book a chauffeur for the summer break?
Before you travel, especially if you want a family van or an Arabic-speaking chauffeur, since we confirm availability ahead of the ride. Booking less than 12 hours before pickup adds 10%.
Do the school break dates differ in the UAE, Kuwait or Qatar?
Yes, these dates are from the Saudi calendar, and they also differ within Saudi Arabia in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Taif. Check your own school’s calendar before booking.
Is the Roermond outlet open during the autumn break?
Yes, it closes only on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day; see the outlet’s opening hours.
Sources
- Okaz (Saudi newspaper, in Arabic) — the 1448 AH school calendar in Gregorian and Hijri dates (checked October 8, 2026)
- mdares.ai — Saudi school calendar 1448 AH (2026–2027), from the Ministry of Education (checked October 8, 2026)
- Keukenhof — Plan your visit: open March 18–May 9, 2027, 8:00–19:00, entry closes 18:15; tickets on sale from October 15; online from €21 (adult) and €11 (child 4–18), €27 and €15 at the gate, prices vary by day; tickets valid for a fixed date and arrival time; car parking €10 online, €15 at the gate; combi tickets with public transport not yet announced (checked October 4, 2026)
- Kerststad Valkenburg — Christmas town Valkenburg, November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027, with markets in the caves (checked October 8, 2026)
- McArthurGlen — Designer Outlet Roermond, plan your visit: open on holidays except December 25 and January 1; parking €7 a day, first 30 minutes free (checked October 8, 2026)
- Amsterdam Tourism — Giethoorn day trip from Amsterdam (2026 guide) (checked October 8, 2026)
- Rijksoverheid — official public holidays in the Netherlands, including Christmas on December 25 and 26 (checked September 29, 2026)
- NOAA Solar Calculator — sunset times in Amsterdam (local time) (checked October 8, 2026)
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