King’s Day is renowned for being one of the biggest festivals in Holland, attracting millions of people across the globe each April to celebrate the King of Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander.
Our friends from Topdeck Travel have listed the five most interesting things you should know about the biggest date on the Dutch calendar.
King’s Day is the biggest birthday party of the year
King Willem-Alexander celebrates his birthday each year on April 27. Also known as ‘Koningsdag’, the day is a national holiday in the Netherlands. Everyone in the country enjoys a day off to join in with the celebrations! The fun typically kicks off the night before on King’s Day Eve and the carnival atmosphere continues throughout King’s Day.
King’s Day used to be called Queen’s Day
Up until 2013 ‘King’s Day’ was called Queen’s day. The previous monarch, Queen Beatrix handed the throne to her son Willem-Alexander in 2013 and the national holiday changed name the following year. Queen’s Day was also held on a slightly different date of April 30 – the birthday of Queen Beatrix’s mother.
It’s not King’s Day without Orange madness
Wearing orange is one of the biggest traditions when celebrating King’s Day and the Dutch love honouring their royal family, whose ancestors were part of the House of Orange. Expect to see the canals, streets and parks in Amsterdam bursting with orange as the Dutch enjoy the biggest birthday and street party of the year!
Grab yourself a bargain at the flea markets
If you love a deal and want to pick up something cheap, there’s no better place than the flea markets in Amsterdam during King’s Day. Also known as vrijmarkt (free market), individuals across the city set up their own stalls where they sell their second-hand items and goods on the streets and parks in Amsterdam, creating one of the world’s largest flea markets. The markets are loved by locals and tourists alike attending the celebrations and literally anything – ranging from antiques or electronics – can be snapped up for a bargain.
Amsterdam doubles in population!
Amsterdam is home to just over 850,000 people, however on King’s Day an incredible one million people travel from around the world and other parts of Holland to descend on the capital to party in the streets and honour the king! Even the canals are packed with revellers as they look to enjoy and soak up the atmosphere on the most exciting day on the Dutch calendar!
For more information on Topdeck visit: https://www.topdeck.travel
For those interested in visiting Amsterdam in the Summer, a 4 day trip to Amsterdam Pride Weekend with Topdeck can be booked by visiting: https://www.topdeck.travel/tours/amsterdam-pride-weekend
Price: £359, departure August 3rd-6th 2018
