We may be on virtual lockdown for the time being, and no-one knows how long the coronavirus scare will continue. But to give you something to look forward to – April, May and June include no less than seven significant events on the Dutch calendar – and lots of excuses for a party (if we can have them).

Pasen
This year Easter (Goede vrijdag, 1e and 2e Paasdag) takes place from April 10 to 13. The Dutch are very keen on Easter eggs and spring-related decorations, and many homes will put up willow branches hung with tiny wooden eggs. Easter Monday is a public holiday but Friday is a normal working day, apart from for government workers – unless we are all still working at home because of coronavirus, of course.

If you have children at a Dutch primary school, they, or rather you, will probably have to make an Easter breakfast box which they will give to another child in their class – if the schools are open, that is.

The breakfast box is a shoe box beautifully decorated with Eastery things and should contain all the ingredients for a delicious breakfast. Some schools have banned jam and sweet things, white bread and even chocolate eggs… which is a little odd. But hey, a cheese sandwich can be festive as well.

Don’t forget, the Netherlands has a Paashaas – Easter hare – rather than a bunny.

Koningsdag (April 27)
No-one yet seems to have raised the thorny issue of coronavirus and King’s Day – but if the ban on mass gatherings gets extended, you may have to keep all that stuff you’ve been collecting to sell for another year.

April 27 is birthday of king Willem-Alexander, who decided to ditch the Koninginnedag – Queen’s Day – celebrations and make them his own. This year it’s on a Monday.

Dodenherdenking (May 4)
Remembrance Day commemorates all civilians and members of the armed forces who have died in wars or peacekeeping missions since the outbreak of World War II.

The main wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the National Monument on Dam Square in Amsterdam, which is usually attended by the queen and other royal family members, ministers, and military leaders. At 20.00 hours there is a two minute silence.

This year the event will mark 75 years since the end of World War II, giving an extra edge to event.

Bevrijdingsdag (May 5)
Liberation Day celebrates the end of the occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Events kick off in Wageningen – where the German capitulation was signed – and the Liberation flame is lit shortly before midnight. Torches are then taken by runners, cyclists and inline skaters to other Liberation fires all over the country.

There are also Liberation Day festivals, featuring top pop acts – one in each province and one in Amsterdam – if coronavirus has been kept at bay, that is. Every five years, Bevrijdingsdag is an unofficial public holiday so this year you’re in luck.

Moederdag (May 14)
In the Netherlands Mothering Sunday is always the second Sunday in May, as it is in America and many other countries. This is the day when all Dutch people visit their mums and take them flowers – you won’t be able to avoid the advertising. If it is sunny, Moederdag is a good day to go to the beach because everyone is visiting mum – provided the request that we do not visit our elderly parents because of coronavirus has been dropped.

Hemelvaartsdag (May 21)
A Thursday public holiday in the Netherlands, Ascension Day marks the day the resurrected Jesus was taken up to heaven in the presence of eleven of his Apostles. Lots of people take Friday off as well, to create an extra-long weekend – which often can be worked into the May school break.

Pinksteren (May 31 and Jun 1)
In the Netherlands, 2de Pinksterdag, or Whit Monday, is a public holiday. The Pinkstergemeente – or Pentecostal church – is an evangelical Protestant grouping with around 120,000 followers in the Netherlands.