King's Day

King's Day (Koningsdag) is the national holiday of the Netherlands, celebrated on 27 April (or 26 April if the 27th is a Sunday) to mark the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. Across the country, people dress in orange, hold street parties, and take part in a nationwide 'freemarket' where anyone can sell second-hand goods.

• Held on 27 April, the birthday of King Willem-Alexander
• Nationwide 'vrijmarkt' lets anyone sell second-hand goods
• People dress in orange, the Dutch national colour
• The royal family visits a different town each year
• Street parties, concerts, and canal festivities fill the day

What it is

King's Day is the Netherlands' most exuberant national celebration, honouring the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. On this day, the entire country transforms into a festival of orange, the national colour, as people take to the streets, canals, and parks. The holiday is cherished for its sense of unity and joy, bringing together people of all ages to celebrate both the monarchy and Dutch identity. The day is marked by a spirit of openness, with everyone invited to join in the festivities, whether through music, games, or simply enjoying the lively atmosphere.

Where it comes from

The roots of King's Day stretch back to 1885, when it was first celebrated as Princess's Day for the young Wilhelmina, then heir to the throne. As she became queen, the holiday evolved into Queen's Day, shifting dates with each monarch's birthday. Over time, it grew from a local children's event into a nationwide celebration, reflecting both loyalty to the royal family and a desire for national unity. The tradition of the 'freemarket' began in Amsterdam in the 1960s as a way to create a festive, communal atmosphere in the city centre. Since 2014, with King Willem-Alexander's accession, the holiday is known as King's Day and held on 27 April.

How it is celebrated

Celebrations begin early as people set up stalls for the 'vrijmarkt', a countrywide second-hand market where anyone can sell their belongings. Streets, squares, and parks fill with families, bargain hunters, and children selling toys, clothes, and homemade treats. The air is festive, with live music, DJs, and concerts in city centres and neighbourhoods. Orange dominates the scene—clothes, wigs, hats, and even face paint—creating a sea of colour in honour of the royal House of Orange. Traditional games, local gatherings, and boat parties on the canals add to the lively spirit. The royal family visits a different town each year, joining in local customs and festivities.

Joining in

As a visitor, expect a vibrant, friendly chaos, especially in major cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague. The main celebrations are outdoors, with crowds gathering from early morning. Public transport runs on special schedules and many streets are closed to cars, making walking or cycling the best ways to get around. It's common to see spontaneous music, dancing, and street food everywhere. Wearing orange is encouraged, and joining the vrijmarkt—whether as a seller or a shopper—is a unique way to experience Dutch community spirit firsthand.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Koningsdag, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Koningsdag on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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