King’s Day (Koningsdag)

Name: King’s Day (Koningsdag)
Start: 2025-04-25
Location: Amsterdam

The Netherlands’ Biggest Orange Celebration

2026/04/26

Every April 27th, the entire Netherlands turns orange for King’s Day (Koningsdag), as the country erupts in joyful celebration. Marking King Willem-Alexander’s birthday, this national holiday draws over a million people to Amsterdam and countless more to streets, canals, and squares across the country for music, dancing, street markets, and the famously cheerful Dutch sense of togetherness. Locals and visitors alike join the “world’s biggest birthday party” on this unforgettable day.

From morning till late at night, the whole city transforms into a festival ground. Laughter, the aroma of street food, and live music fill the air, while Dutch royal pride and “gezelligheid” (coziness and unity) wrap the streets. It’s a unique celebration where tradition and freedom blend in a way you’ll find nowhere else.

Main Attractions

A Sea of Orange Street Parties (“Oranjegekte”)

The most iconic feature of King’s Day is “Oranjegekte” (orange madness), as everyone dresses head to toe in orange: clothes, wigs, hats, face paint, banners, even food and drinks. This honors the royal House of Orange and fills every street with Dutch unity and joy. Major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague host massive street parties, outdoor concerts, and lively canal boat parties.

The Nationwide Flea Market (“Vrijmarkt”)

On King’s Day, the entire country becomes one giant flea market (“vrijmarkt”). Anyone can sell secondhand goods, crafts, or homemade treats in front of their home, in parks, or along the streets-no permit needed. Kids set up their own stalls, and the streets buzz with haggling, street performers, music, and games. It’s a uniquely Dutch blend of recycling culture and social gathering.

Traditional Games & Fun Fairs

Family-friendly traditional games abound: spijkerpoepen (nail-on-a-string game), koekhappen (bite-the-hanging-cookie contest), tombola (bingo raffle), and more fill city squares and parks for kids and adults alike. Many cities host fun fairs, carnival games, and live performances, creating a nostalgic and festive atmosphere.

Costumes and Decorations

Orange is the dress code of the day: wigs, crowns, orange sunglasses, tutus, and full-body costumes. Dutch flags, garlands, and banners decorate homes, bridges, and boats. Many people paint Dutch flags on their faces, and even pets get dressed up in orange!

Traditional Food & Drink

King’s Day is a feast of Dutch classics. Don’t miss the orange tompouce (custard pastry), sold only for this day at bakeries and supermarkets. Bitterballen (fried meat croquettes), poffertjes (mini pancakes with powdered sugar), stroopwafels (caramel waffle cookies), and fries with mayonnaise are everywhere. Grab an Oranjebitter (orange liqueur) or a beer and stroll the city for the full experience.

Cultural and Historical Background

King’s Day (Koningsdag) traces its origins to 1885, when it was first held as “Princess’s Day” (Prinsessedag) on August 31st, celebrating Princess Wilhelmina’s fifth birthday. At a time when the monarchy was unpopular, liberal politicians created the holiday to promote unity, and the young princess was widely adored. Initially a local event, it quickly spread nationwide, with parades and children’s festivities marking the end of summer.

When Wilhelmina became queen in 1890, the holiday became “Queen’s Day” (Koninginnedag), and by 1902, after the queen’s recovery from illness, it evolved into a true national festival. In 1948, Queen Juliana moved Queen’s Day to her birthday, April 30th. Under Juliana, the royal family received flowers at Soestdijk Palace, broadcast on national TV, and the day became a major public holiday.

When Queen Beatrix took the throne in 1980, she kept Queen’s Day on April 30th (her mother’s birthday) for better weather. Beatrix modernized the tradition by visiting a different town or village each year with the royal family, joining local festivities and games-a style that continues today.

In 2013, Queen Beatrix abdicated and King Willem-Alexander became the first male monarch in over a century. From 2014, the holiday became “King’s Day” (Koningsdag) and moved to April 27th, the king’s birthday. Today, the royal family visits a different city each year, with festivities broadcast live nationwide. King’s Day is deeply woven into Dutch identity, symbolizing unity, royal pride, and “gezelligheid.” For the Dutch, it’s a cherished day to celebrate freedom, community, and the joy of coming together in a sea of orange.

Participant Voices

The energy of King’s Day is truly one of a kind. From early morning, the entire city turns orange-kids and seniors alike sing, dance, and laugh together in the streets and squares. I joined a boat party on the Amsterdam canals, and with music blasting, strangers toasted and hugged each other, instantly becoming friends regardless of nationality or age. Before I knew it, I was dancing with people from Germany, Brazil, Korea, and Italy. It really felt like “the day the world becomes one.” Decked out in orange sunglasses, a crown, and face paint, it was the freest and happiest day of my life.

Fun Facts

Over a million people celebrate in Amsterdam alone, nearly doubling the city’s population for the day!
The vrijmarkt is one of the world’s largest open-air markets, with thousands of stalls nationwide.
Orange is the symbol of the royal House of Orange-even food and drinks turn orange for the day.
Until 2013, the holiday was called “Queen’s Day”; it became “King’s Day” when King Willem-Alexander took the throne.

Festival Dates

King’s Day is celebrated every year across the Netherlands on April 27 (or April 26 if the 27th falls on a Sunday). Dress in orange, dive into the street parties, and experience the world’s happiest birthday celebration!