What is King’s Day?
In the Netherlands, King’s Day (Koningsdag) is a national holiday to celebrate the monarch King Willem-Alexander’s birthday which falls on 27 April. The Dutch traditionally gather in huge crowds to celebrate King’s Day. Because, when it’s the King’s birthday, everyone is invited to the party. In the streets, canals, parks, and everywhere in between, the beautiful city of Amsterdam is roaring with orange as locals enjoy the biggest street party of the year. Here’s how you can make the most out of King’s Day this year.
Check out vrijmarkts across the city
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. On King’s Day, everyone is allowed to sell things on the streets without permit. This has led tons of flea markets (also known as vrijmarkt) popping up across the city. Various districts and specific streets are known as the hot spots for second-hand items, so take the opportunity to explore different parts of Amsterdam to find your new treasure. Browse for bargains and you’ll also enjoy the street musicians and performers as you go.
Dress up in orange
On King’s Day, you need to join the sea of orange with everyone to show pride for the Dutch royal family, the house of Oranje-Nassau. Put on your best orange outfits, wigs, hats, and make up. And fear not, among the vrijmarkt shops, there are endless opportunities to complete your full orange outfit.
Roam around the canals
Amsterdam’s canals are always flooded with a sea of orange, as families and friends love to go on a boat during King’s Day. If you don’t have a boat, do not worry. The next best thing is for free: watching and dancing from many bridges. It’s always a unique experience to watch the parade of boats, trying to be the loudest and cover each other with their sound systems.
Get the party started the night before
The night before King’s Day, often called King’s Night, is as big of a celebration as the actual day itself. Many clubs, such as Chicago Social and The Box, will be throwing a party that you’ll need an excuse not to stumble onto one dancefloor to another. If you’re not ready to go crazy, then hopping from one bar to another with your friends is also a great idea. You’ll be sure to see tons of familiar faces on the way.
Dance the day away and soak up the festival atmosphere
There are a lot of out-of-this world festivals during King’s Day. Oranjebloessem, Loveland, and Kings Land, to name a few. You’d normally need to get tickets ahead of time however if you couldn’t secure any, DJs play parties on dedicated public squares, live music spills on the streets everywhere so you won’t be missing out. There are also a lot of King’s Day after parties (if you are still alive)…
Escape the crowds at a museum or garden
If the crowd gets too overwhelming, several locations in the city provide a remission from all celebrations. Several noteworthy hotspots such as Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, and Van Gogh Museum stay open during King’s Day. The Hortus Botanicus, one of the most beautiful botanical gardens, also stays open.
To enjoy your trip to Amsterdam to the fullest, book your stay at Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam or Park Plaza Vondelpark Amsterdam on the most iconic day of the year.
