King’s Day

King’s Day is the biggest national celebration in the Netherlands. In Dutch, it is called Koningsdag.

Every year on 27 April, the Dutch celebrate the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. The country turns orange, streets become open markets and city centres fill with music, boats and crowds.

It is a public holiday, but it does not feel formal. Most people do not spend the day watching speeches. They go outside. They sell old things on the street. They meet friends. They wear orange. In Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Hague and many other cities, the party starts early and lasts all day.

King’s Day is one of the easiest Dutch traditions to join. You do not need to understand royal protocol. You only need comfortable shoes, something orange and a little patience for the crowds.

When is King’s Day?

King’s Day is celebrated on 27 April. That is the birthday of King Willem-Alexander.

There is one exception. If 27 April falls on a Sunday, King’s Day is moved to Saturday 26 April. This happened in 2014 and 2025.

In 2026, King’s Day fell on Monday 27 April. The royal family celebrated the official national programme in Dokkum, in Friesland.

Why does everyone wear orange?

Orange is the colour of the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau.

That is why the whole country turns orange on King’s Day. People wear orange shirts, hats, wigs, sunglasses and face paint. Streets are decorated with orange flags and banners. Even food and drinks often get an orange theme.

For visitors, it can look chaotic at first. But the idea is simple. Orange is the unofficial dress code. It shows that you are taking part.

You do not need a full costume. One orange item is enough.

From Queen’s Day to King’s Day

King’s Day used to be Queen’s Day, or Koninginnedag.

The tradition began in the late 19th century with Princess Wilhelmina. Her birthday was celebrated on 31 August. When she became queen, the celebration became Queen’s Day.

Later, under Queen Juliana, the date moved to 30 April, her birthday. Queen Beatrix kept that same date when she became queen, even though her own birthday was in January.

That changed in 2013, when Willem-Alexander became king. From 2014 onward, Queen’s Day became King’s Day, and the date moved to 27 April.

So the modern version is new, but the tradition itself is much older.

What happens on King’s Day?

King’s Day is not one single event. It is a mix of street markets, family activities, royal ceremony and city parties.

The most Dutch part of the day is the vrijmarkt. This means “free market”. For one day, people can sell second-hand items in the street. Children sell toys, books, games, cakes and lemonade. Adults clear out their cupboards and sell things they no longer need.

In many neighbourhoods, the vrijmarkt starts early in the morning. Families place blankets on the pavement and build small stalls. It feels informal, local and very Dutch.

At the same time, many cities organise music stages, food stands and outdoor events. Amsterdam is famous for its canal parties, but other cities also have strong King’s Day programmes.

The royal visit

Each year, the royal family visits one Dutch city or town for the official King’s Day programme.

This city changes every year. The local community prepares performances, music, sports, cultural activities and presentations. The visit is shown live on Dutch television.

In 2026, the royal visit was in Dokkum. King Willem-Alexander celebrated his 59th birthday there with Queen Máxima and members of the royal family.

For most people, the royal visit is something they watch on TV. For the host city, it is a major national moment.

King’s Day in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the most famous place to celebrate King’s Day.

The city becomes extremely busy. The canals fill with boats. Parks and squares fill with people. Many streets in the centre are closed to normal traffic. Public transport runs differently, and walking is often the easiest way to move around.

Amsterdam also has stricter rules than many other places. For King’s Day 2026, the city listed rules for the free market, alcohol, street music and boats. The vrijmarkt ran from 06:00 to 20:00. Private alcohol sales were not allowed. Amplified street music was restricted. Boats were limited to 12 people plus the skipper.

This does not mean Amsterdam is not fun. It means you need to plan better.

If you want the biggest King’s Day experience, Amsterdam is the obvious choice. If you want something easier, choose another city.

Best places to celebrate King’s Day

Amsterdam is best for canals, crowds and the full tourist experience.

Utrecht is lively and popular, with a strong King’s Night and King’s Day atmosphere.

The Hague is a good choice if you want a royal city with a more organised feel.

Rotterdam offers big city energy, music and a younger crowd.

Groningen is popular with students and has a strong nightlife scene.

Smaller towns are often better for families. They usually have local markets, children’s games and a calmer atmosphere.

There is no single best place. It depends on what kind of day you want.

Practical tips for visitors

• Wear orange. You will feel out of place without it.
• Bring cash or a payment app for the vrijmarkt. Many people use digital payments, but small cash can still be useful.
• Arrive early if you want to visit a popular city centre. Trains and stations get crowded.
• Do not bring too much alcohol, especially in Amsterdam. Local rules can be strict.
• Use public transport, but check the schedule before you leave. Some routes change on King’s Day.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You will probably walk more than you expect.
• Make a meeting point with friends. Phone networks can be slow in crowded areas.

King’s Night

The evening before King’s Day is called King’s Night, or Koningsnacht.

It is not an official holiday, but it is one of the biggest nights out of the year. Clubs, bars and outdoor stages organise special events. In some cities, the party starts the evening before and continues into King’s Day.

The Hague is especially known for King’s Night, but Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and Groningen also have large programmes.

If you want nightlife, King’s Night may be more interesting than King’s Day itself.

Is King’s Day worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you want to understand Dutch culture beyond museums and canal photos.

King’s Day shows a different side of the Netherlands. It is informal, crowded, playful and very social. Children sell toys on the street. Adults dress in ridiculous orange outfits. Boats move slowly through packed canals. Whole neighbourhoods turn into markets.

It can be messy. It can be loud. It can be too busy. But it is also one of the clearest examples of Dutch public life.

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