The biggest party of the year is about to take place for the Dutch this April 27th, so come and celebrate King’s Day in the Netherlands!
King’s Day 2016
Picture a sea of orange revelers – dancing on canal boats, bridges, parks and in the streets, throw in some great music, food, beer and market stalls, and you have King’s Day 2016! Koningsdag or King’s Day, is the traditional birthday celebration for the Dutch King. Expect partying in the streets, lots of beers and a carnival atmosphere in the streets; just wear orange and you’ll fit right in! The festivities in Amsterdam include famous DJs and lots of partying on and along the canals as all the boats fill up with people dancing and enjoying the festivities. All of the Netherlands will be celebrating with general merriment and feasting, turning the fountains orange, drinking orange bitter liqueur and enjoying the street party atmosphere. There will be a carnival vibe and probably since it’s Dutch, a lot of drinking beers and swimming in canals. All we can promise is that it will be an orange day you don’t forget! (Or maybe don’t remember all of..)
Celebrate King’s Day in the Netherlands
Flea Markets and Funfairs
There will also be music, flea markets (the free markets -vrijmarkt where anyone can sell their things in the street without a permit), activities in the parks for families and funfairs. The biggest flea market is held in Utrecht but of course there is a huge street market in Amsterdam also with lots of arts and crafts also. The biggest funfairs are the one in Dam Square in Amsterdam, Shiehaven harbour in Rotterdam, Grote Markt square in Haarlem and Lange Voorhout in The Hague.
Dutch Tradition
For those of you thinking it was Queen’s Day…yes it used to be April 30th and celebrating Queen Beatrix’s birthday, but since 2014 it’s April 27th for King Willem Alexander’s birthday. The royal family makes an appearance around the country traditionally, and since they’re ‘The House of Oranje’ they might be wearing orange too!
King’s Night – Nacht van Oranje
Making the most of his birthday, the night before is also celebrated as King’s Night (Koningsnacht). This is also the Nacht van Oranje (or Orange Night) – a big night for Dutch music artists and there will be parties and live shows all over the country. In The Hague in the squares around town the parties start at 6pm with DJs and live band performances. In Rotterdam there’s a big concert at Ahoy as well as lots of clubs – don’t miss out on this unique Dutch experience!
Book a place to stay
If you’re heading to Holland for this all day/ all night affair you might want a place to rest your head when you’re done celebrating. Check out The Flying Pig hostel in Amsterdam (where they sure like to party…) or Room Hostel Rotterdam in the cool port city only 45 minutes from Amsterdam. There will be big celebrations in both cities so get your orange on and come and celebrate King’s Day in the Netherlands!
