traditionally dutch! THE SECOND DAY OF DUTCH CHRISTMAS

Most people in the Netherlands celebrate Kerstavond on December 24th and Kerstmis on December 25th. But for the Dutch, one day of Christmas cheer simply isn’t enough — they also celebrate Tweede Kerstdag (Second Christmas Day) on December 26th. But why does the Netherlands have two Christmas Days?

Interestingly, in the past there were even more! The Dutch once celebrated Derde Kerstdag (Third Christmas Day) and Vierde Kerstdag (Fourth Christmas Day). These were official holidays when people weren’t allowed to work. In the early centuries of Christianity, many older winter festivals — such as the Jul Fest or Midwinter Feast — were blended into the Christian Christmas period. Each Christmas day gradually became dedicated to a different saint or tradition. Tweede Kerstdag, for example, was devoted to Saint Stephen (Sint Stefanus), recognized as Christianity’s first martyr.

During the Synod of Mainz in 813, it was decided that Christmas should be celebrated over four days, each with its own meaning:

• Eerste Kerstdag (First Christmas Day) – the celebration of the birth of Jesus

• Tweede Kerstdag (Second Christmas Day) – a day connected to animals and farmers, who would gallop their horses through the town to ensure good health for the year ahead

• Vierde Kerstdag (Fourth Christmas Day) – a day for children’s festivities

However, four days of Christmas proved a bit too much joy even for the Dutch! Over time, the celebrations were reduced to two official days. The Dutch almost lost Tweede Kerstdag too, but the church fought to preserve it, wanting people to attend church services for two days, just as they do during Easter and Pentecost.