On the 27th April, the Netherlands celebrates the annual King’s Day Festival with crowds of people wearing the national colour of orange and gathering in public spaces across the country. Known by the locals as Koningsdag, this nationwide event is held in honour of the incumbent Dutch monarch, which has been King Willem-Alexander since 2013. While the revelry can be experienced across the country, nowhere is the merrymaking bigger than in the capital. With street sales, boat parties and more, check out some of the best things to do on King’s Day in Amsterdam.
Find a Bargain or Two
When King’s Day hits, residents dig out the hidden treasures tucked away in their homes and set up little stalls along the street, transforming the city into a giant flea market. Known as vrijmarkt, the astonishing variety of wares on offer could see you pick up anything from freshly baked cakes to vintage clothes, or even some precious antiques.
Join a Canal Party
Close to a million people attend King’s Day in Amsterdam, making it one of the world’s largest street parties. While there are DJs and live music across the capital, the party atmosphere isn’t limited just to the street, with the city’s famous waterways staging boat parties full of orange-clad revellers. If you’d rather stick to dry land, you can still enjoy this unique spectacle from one of the 1,500 bridges dotted around the capital.
Enjoy Some Family Entertainment
Families can also enjoy the lively atmosphere on King’s Day in Amsterdam by heading to family friendly areas in Vondelpark. Each year, this vast green space is packed with stalls where kids can sing, dance and sell old toys to earn a little extra pocket money. Vondelpark also makes a great hideaway for families looking to escape the other parts of the city that can get busy throughout the festival.
Visit the Museums
As King’s Day is a national holiday, some of Amsterdam’s museums and attractions will be closed, but many will stay open regardless. If you want to escape the action, visit the Van Gogh Museum and immerse yourself in the brilliant Dutch painter’s world. For history buffs, a tour of the internationally famous Rijksmuseum is truly enlightening, while the Anne Frank House brings an icon of World War II to life.
However you spend your King’s Day in Amsterdam, be sure to wear orange and join in with the fun! Check out our ferry crossing to Rotterdam and start planning your own adventure today.
