[:en]Amsterdam[:]
I could say that King’s Day is the most important holiday in the Netherlands, a holiday that you are not allowed to miss, especially if you like to party. And that’s all you need to know about it. 😀
Initially, it was Princess Day, being celebrated on the birthday of Princess Wilhelmina (August 31). The celebration involves many children’s games and decorated streets. When Wilhelmina became the new Queen after her father’s death, the name was changed to Queen’s Day.
Juliana, the next queen, and daughter of Wilhelmina celebrated Queen’s Day on April 30 with a parade on Soestdijk. Also, Beatrix celebrated Queen’s Day on April 30 (although her birthday was in January), but, contrary to her mother, she took her whole family and traveled all over the country to visit several municipalities. King Willem Alexander has preserved this tradition.
King Willem Alexander was born on April 27th. He followed his mother in the lead of the monarchy in 2013, and from 2014 the king’s day was moved on April 27th.
King’s Day is a national holiday, celebrated all over the Netherlands. Each city has its parties, everybody is on vacation, and enjoys with the family this special day. So wherever you are on this holiday in the Netherlands, you will fell the special atmosphere.
On the occasion of the King’s Day, parties are organized everywhere, a good opportunity for you to show your dance moves. Besides the parties, you will notice that everyone will have at least one orange piece of clothing, or even in their entirety outfit. So, if you want to be in tune with everyone and celebrate the King’s Day in the Netherlands, you’ll dress in orange. And where there are parties, there are drinks. But the atmosphere is very relaxing.
All day is a party on the Amsterdam streets, but locals and tourists start gathering from 4-5 pm on the streets to celebrate (or from morning until the next day).
Almost on every street corner, you will find at least one DJ that mixes for a group, smaller or bigger. Besides the organized places, you will notice huge boxes out of the windows of the apartments. This way you will have music everywhere you go.
In addition to music and parties, flea markets are organized on the streets. Everybody comes out with what he has through the house and places them in the street in front of the house. That’s how the city is turning into a flea market and party.
If you’re bored on the street and want to spend time on the city’s canals on a boat, you can do that too. There is real congestion on the canals due to a large number of boats. They are locals who go out with their family and friends and party together on the boat. Tourists can go along with the locals on the boats. (a good opportunity for the locals to make one extra cash). And on big boats, where real parties are organized you will feel like in a club.
The whole city is animated and you can not get bored on this day. The parties are on every corner, everyone is entertained, relaxed and gives you an extraordinarily pleasant vibe. We got ourselves on King’s Day in a city break in Amsterdam and I think it was a very good decision. More about how we think a city break should look like in this great city here.
Have you visited the Netherlands on King’s Day?
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Amsterdam’s famous King's Day carnival is held on 27 April and sees over a million people spill into the streets and onto the canals to paint the town orange at one of the world’s biggest street parties. Never experienced King’s Day in Amsterdam before or want to be reminded of just how awesome it is? Here are some fun facts to check out!