King’s Day in the Netherlands

Get ready for the biggest celebration of the Dutch calendar! Every April 27th, the Netherlands erupts into a massive street festival known as Koningsdag (King’s Day), celebrating the King’s birthday. Don your brightest orange and prepare for an unforgettable day (and night!) of national revelry.

King’s Day 2026

The Vibe: A Sea of Orange and Canal Parties

Picture this: a vibrant sea of orange-clad partygoers dancing everywhere—on canal boats, bridges, in parks, and throughout the streets. Add world-class DJs, delicious street food, and free-flowing beer, and you have King’s Day.

• The Atmosphere: Expect a national carnival! The streets are packed with general merriment, impromptu feasting, and spontaneous street parties.

• Amsterdam Highlights: The canals become the main stage, with boats filling up with dancing crowds. Famous DJs keep the energy high as the city celebrates late into the night.

• National Traditions: Across the country, you’ll see fountains turned orange, people sipping on Oranjebitter (an orange liqueur), and a spirit of pure, unbridled celebration.

Flea Markets and Funfairs

A unique part of King’s Day is the vrijmarkt (free market), where citizens are allowed to sell goods on the street without a permit, turning the entire country into one giant flea market. Flea Markets are treasure hunter’s dream! Find unique second-hand goods, art, and crafts as the streets transform into a colossal, chaotic market.

• Flea Markets (Vrijmarkt): Utrecht (biggest market) & Amsterdam (huge street market with arts and crafts).
• Funfairs: Dam Square (Amsterdam), Grote Markt (Haarlem), Lange Voorhout (The Hague), Shiehaven Harbour (Rotterdam)

King’s Night – The Orange Night Warm-up (Koningsnacht)

The celebration kicks off the night before! Koningsnacht (King’s Night), also known as the Nacht van Oranje (Orange Night), is when the party truly begins.

• The Hague: Parties start early (often around 6 PM) in the city squares, featuring vibrant DJs and live band performances.

• Rotterdam: Expect big concerts and packed clubs, setting the stage for the next day’s madness.

Don’t miss out on this unique Dutch experience—it’s the perfect warm-up to the main event.

Where to stay for King’s Day in the Netherlands

Given this is an all-day, all-night affair, you’ll definitely need a place to rest! Accommodation fills up fast, so book early.

• Amsterdam: Check out The Flying Pig hostel for a truly social atmosphere (they know how to party!).

• Rotterdam: The cool port city is only 45 minutes from Amsterdam by train and hosts massive celebrations. Definitely stay at Room Hostel Rotterdam.

Get your orange on and come experience the energy of King’s Day in the Netherlands!

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