King's Day marks the biggest national holiday on the Dutch calendar. Koningsdag, or King's Day in The Netherlands, features massive celebrations that rival the pomp and circumstance of the 4th of July in the U.S., May Day in England, and Oktoberfest in Germany. The streets of Amsterdam and the rest of the country are lined with large floats, while the canals are filled with boats inhabited by buzzed Dutch citizens in ornate duds. The holiday celebrations normally occur on April 27th, the King's birthday, but if the 27th falls on a Sunday, the event will be celebrated the day before, on Saturday the 26th.

King's Day was formerly Queen's Day (Koninginnedag), which commemorated the birthday of the country’s former queen, Juliana, whose reign lasted from 1948 to 1980. The Netherlands has celebrated the holiday since 1949. When Juliana’s daughter, Queen Beatrix, succeeded her mother, she decided to keep the holiday in April instead of moving it to her birthday in January, because spring weather is much more conducive to outdoor activities in Holland. The holiday officially changed to King's Day with the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander on 30 April 2013.

One of the biggest outdoor attractions is the family fun in Amsterdam's Vondelpark, which includes various face-painting booths, theatrical performances, and hundreds of delicious food vendors. After grabbing some grub, festival-goers can head over to the Museumplein and Rembrandtplein, where local radio stations host great live concerts.



Concert-goers and other Dutch celebrants proudly wear orange shirts, hats, wigs, pants, and more in honor of the Dutch Royal Family. Bars, clubs, and restaurants salute the monarchy as well by offering drink and food specials that encourage and enhance the festive atmosphere.

It's common for citizens to continue the party through the night at local bars, where the beer flows and the music rings out like there's no tomorrow. The Jordaan neighborhood in Amsterdam is a particularly popular spot due to its fun bars like Dulac, STOUT!, and Vyne.

Ticket prices for King's Day events vary depending on the venue, event type, and year. Check annually for the best spots on King's Day, and don’t miss out on this awesome celebration!