ROTTERDAM, 30 March 2026 – Easter in the Netherlands is looking more relaxed than strictly traditional in 2026, with brunch, family time and a lie-in ranking higher than formal celebration. New research suggests that if you are spending Easter in Rotterdam, you should expect a long weekend shaped more by 'gezelligheid', food and free time than by ritual.
If you are new to Easter in the Netherlands, this is probably the first thing to know: many Dutch people treat it as a soft holiday rather than a deeply observed one. There is still a festive mood, but for plenty of people it is just as much about slowing down, seeing family and enjoying the extra day off.
That comes through clearly in new research by Acties.nl, carried out with PanelWizard among 500 people in the Netherlands. Just 23.2% said they really celebrate Easter, while 33.5% described it as a mix of celebrating and enjoying a day off. Another 25.1% mainly see it as an extra day off, and 18.2% said they do not really do anything with it at all.
Easter in Dutch daily life
That makes Easter feel very Dutch in its own way. It is less about big public spectacle and more about comfort, home routines and small social rituals. In Rotterdam, that often means quiet mornings, supermarkets full of seasonal food, and people making the most of a long weekend without turning it into a major production.
So if you are an expat or visiting the city, do not expect the streets to feel packed with Easter ceremony from dawn till dusk. Expect a more understated atmosphere, with people leaning into rest, food and time together.
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Brunch comes first
The clearest Easter habit is food. A full 53.1% of respondents said they go for an extended Easter breakfast or brunch, making it the most common way people spend the holiday.
That tells you a lot about what to look forward to in Rotterdam. Easter brunch is the main event in many Dutch households, and it usually lands somewhere between breakfast and lunch, with fresh bread, eggs, sweet treats, coffee, juice and a table that feels a bit more generous than usual. If you are planning the weekend here, brunch is the safest cultural bet.
Family time and rest matter too
After brunch, family visits come next at 47.3%. Another 38.3% say they use Easter to relax or sleep in. So alongside the food, the holiday is also about taking your foot off the pedal.
That is useful to know in a city like Rotterdam, where the working rhythm can be intense and where a public holiday often becomes a chance to stay local. You may find that Easter is best enjoyed by keeping things simple: a late breakfast, a walk if the weather behaves, and a slow afternoon rather than a packed schedule.
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Traditions are still there, just smaller
More traditional Easter activities have not disappeared, but they play a smaller role. Around 18.8% mentioned egg hunts or decorating eggs, which means those customs are still around, especially in family settings, but they are far from the dominant picture.
The broader takeaway is that Dutch Easter in 2026 is flexible. For some, it still carries tradition. For many others, it is mainly a pleasant break with good food and good company. That makes it quite easy to step into, especially in Rotterdam, where you can enjoy the long weekend without needing to know every custom in advance.
Costs are part of the picture
The research also shows that money plays some role in how people plan Easter, even if it is not the main story. Some 39.3% said an extensive Easter breakfast has become partly unaffordable, while 40.9% said they adapt their Easter recipes to supermarket offers.
Even so, the main mood remains social rather than budget-driven. The survey points to a holiday built around 'gezelligheid', shared meals and being together, with discounts and deals playing a supporting role rather than setting the tone.
Research link
You can read more about the Easter research here: https://www.acties.nl/categorie/pasen. Note that it's in Dutch, and you need to scroll halfway down, past a discount section.
