February 2026: 6 things expats in the Netherlands need to know
Wolf-photography / Shutterstock.com
By Simone Jacobs
The first month of 2026 is coming to a close - you made it! As we head into the second month of the year, here’s what expats in the Netherlands need to know about for February 2026.
1. Dutch schools close for spring holidays
If you’re planning a family getaway this winter, the time is almost here! This month, schools across the Netherlands will close their doors for the spring holiday, also known as the voorjaarsvakantie (or the carnavalsvakantie or krokusvakantie).
Schools in the Central and Southern regions will shut from February 14 to 22, while schools in the North will close their doors from February 21 to March 1.
2. New Dutch cabinet could be sworn in
The coalition agreement between D66, CDA and VVD is almost finalised, according to AD. The three parties will form a rare minority government, relying on opposition parties to support issues in parliament.
If all goes to plan, the new Dutch cabinet will be sworn in on February 23. The date has been pencilled in to fall after the spring recess and will go ahead if the rest of the formation process goes smoothly.
3. Train disruptions around The Hague
On January 29, Dutch rail operator ProRail started with major renovations at The Hague Central Station. The planned works are set to last until February 16 and are expected to cause significant disruptions to train travel around The Hague.
4. Valentine’s Day in the Netherlands
The dreary winter weather might still have you feeling down in February, but one holiday that adds a bit of colour this month is Valentine’s Day, with major Dutch cities decked out in red and pink.
Whether you’re going out for a romantic dinner in Amsterdam with your significant other or spending a cosy night on your couch watching a romcom with your friend - the day is fun for couples and singles alike.
5. Carnaval season kicks off in the Netherlands
An important event to note in February is the beginning of Carnaval season. While Ash Wednesday falls on February 18, several Dutch cities will kick off their Carnaval celebrations early in the month.
From Eindhoven Carnival to the Carnival Parade in Enschede, you can expect colourful costumes, traditional music and lots and lots of parade floats. Check out our guide to Carnaval in the Netherlands to find out more about the festivities.
6. Lunar New Year celebrations
This year on February 17, Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, will be celebrated across East Asia but also within diaspora abroad. From traditional dragon dances to fireworks and decorations, there are several great events for Lunar New Year in the Netherlands. Happy Year of the Horse!
Editor for the Netherlands at IamExpat Media. Simone studied Genetics and Zoology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa before moving to the Netherlands, where she has been working as a writer and editor since 2022. One thing she loves more than creating content is consuming it, mainly by reading books by the dozen. Other than being a book dragon, she is also a nature lover and enjoys hiking and animal training. Read more