King's Day in Amsterdam: An Expat's Guide to the Netherlands' Biggest Party

As fellow expats who once experienced our first King's Day with a mixture of excitement and bewilderment, we want to share our insider knowledge to help you make the most of this uniquely Dutch celebration. Here's everything you need to know about navigating King's Day in Amsterdam like a local (or at least, like expats who have learned from experience!).

What Exactly is King's Day?

King's Day (Koningsdag) is celebrated on April 27th, the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. Before 2013, the Netherlands celebrated Queen's Day on April 30th, the birthday of former Queen Juliana. When Willem-Alexander took the throne, the celebration shifted to his birthday.

The entire country celebrates, but Amsterdam hosts the largest and most famous festivities. The city essentially becomes one massive outdoor festival featuring street markets, music, boat parties, and a whole lot of orange (the national color, representing the royal House of Orange-Nassau).

What to Expect on King's Day

The City Transforms

Our first King's Day was quite a shock! We remember waking up early to find the quiet streets of our neighborhoods already buzzing with activity. By midday, the transformation was complete: canal banks covered with revelers, music pumping from boats and makeshift stages, and the heady smell of street food mingling with beer.

Be prepared for Amsterdam to look and feel completely different. Areas that are normally tranquil become epicenters of celebration. Public transportation runs limited routes, many streets are closed to vehicles, and navigating through crowds takes significantly longer than usual.

The Mystery of the Taped Squares

In the weeks leading up to King's Day, you'll notice something peculiar happening across Amsterdam: colorful tape appearing on streets and sidewalks, marking out rectangular shapes. The first time we saw this, we were completely baffled!

These taped squares are Amsterdam's unique reservation system for vrijmarkt spots. Residents mark their selling territory days or even weeks in advance, using tape to claim prime locations. It's a curious sight for newcomers but a sacred tradition for locals. The unwritten rule is simple: respect the tape. These reservations are generally honored by other residents, creating an orderly system within the otherwise chaotic celebration.

We learned the hard way that these tape markings are taken very seriously. If you're planning to sell items at the vrijmarkt, either look for unclaimed space or arrive extremely early. Removing someone else's tape is considered a major faux pas and can lead to uncomfortable confrontations on the day.

The Vrijmarkt (Free Market)

One of our favorite King's Day traditions is the vrijmarkt, where Dutch regulations on street vending are relaxed, allowing anyone to sell second-hand items without a permit. The entire city becomes a massive garage sale!

In residential areas, you'll find families setting up blankets outside their homes to sell outgrown toys, books, and household items. Children performing music for tips is also a common sight. We now participate in this tradition ourselves, both selling items we no longer need and hunting for unique treasures.

The Orange Madness

The first time we experienced the "orange madness" (oranjegekte), we were underprepared. Learn from our mistake: embrace the orange! On King's Day, wearing orange isn't just encouraged, it's practically mandatory. From simple orange T-shirts to elaborate costumes, crowns, wigs, and face paint, the more orange, the better.

Most shops sell orange items in the weeks leading up to King's Day, but supplies run out quickly. We recommend stocking up early if you want to participate fully in the festivities.

Canal Celebrations

Amsterdam's canals become highways of celebration, with thousands of boats packed with partygoers. The sight of the canals filled with orange vessels is truly something to behold. Boat parties are considered by many to be the ultimate King's Day experience, though they require planning or connections.

We've discovered that simply sitting along a canal edge with friends and watching the parade of boats is just as enjoyable as being on one. The energy is infectious whether you're on water or land.

Best Areas to Celebrate King's Day in Amsterdam

Based on our experiences hosting friends and family during King's Day and helping our clients navigate their first celebrations, here are our recommendations for the best areas to experience different aspects of King's Day:

For Family-Friendly Fun: Vondelpark

Vondelpark is officially designated as a children's vrijmarkt on King's Day. From early morning until around 4 PM, the park fills with children selling toys, performing music, offering face painting, or running simple games. We often bring our friends with children here first, as it offers a gentler introduction to the festivities.

The atmosphere is festive but more relaxed than in the city center. You'll find impromptu performances, children's activities, and food stalls throughout the park. It's perfect for families or those wanting a less intense King's Day experience.

For Treasure Hunting: Apollolaan & Oud-Zuid

If you're serious about finding incredible vrijmarkt treasures, Apollolaan and the surrounding affluent neighborhoods of Oud-Zuid are where you need to be. We discovered this gem by following the advice of Amsterdam veterans, and now it's our go-to spot for quality finds.

The key is arriving early, really early. We recommend being there by 7 AM at the latest. Because of the higher income levels in this area, the goods on offer are often exceptional. We've found designer clothing in perfect condition, vintage furniture pieces, high-end electronics, and even art. Last year, we scored a barely-used Miele vacuum cleaner for just €50!

The atmosphere here is less chaotic than other areas, and the sellers are often expatriate families or long-term residents downsizing. It's not uncommon to hear multiple languages and find items from international brands. The competition for the best items is real though, so bring cash and be ready to make quick decisions.

For Kids' Activities: NDSM Wharf

NDSM in Amsterdam Noord has become one of our favorite King's Day destinations for families with children. The former shipyard-turned-creative-hub transforms into a massive children's playground with a festival atmosphere that's more manageable for young ones than the cramped city center.

What makes NDSM special for kids is the space. Unlike the narrow streets elsewhere, here children can actually run around safely. The area hosts a dedicated children's program with face painting, inflatable castles, circus workshops, and interactive art installations. Local artists often set up creative activities where kids can make their own orange crafts.

The festival area is usually fenced off, creating a secure environment where parents can relax while children explore. The industrial setting provides natural shade and shelter, helpful if the weather isn't perfect. Food trucks offer kid-friendly options, and there are usually proper toilet facilities, a real bonus for families.

We particularly love how NDSM maintains a creative, alternative vibe while being incredibly family-oriented. It's less about selling and more about experiencing, making it perfect for children who might find the commercial aspect of the vrijmarkt overwhelming.

For the Ultimate Street Party: Jordaan

The Jordaan neighborhood transforms into a labyrinth of street parties, with residents setting up DJ booths and small stages in front of their homes. The narrow streets create an intimate party atmosphere that we consider the "true" King's Day experience.

Wander through streets like Westerstraat, Noordermarkt, and the surrounding areas to find a variety of music styles and vibes. Each square and street junction offers something different. This area gets very crowded by midday, so arrive early if you want to secure a spot at one of the many outdoor cafés.

For a More Local Experience: De Pijp

De Pijp offers a slightly less tourist-heavy King's Day experience while still providing plenty of street markets and festivities. The Albert Cuypmarkt and surrounding streets host a mix of food stalls, drink stands, and vrijmarkt sellers.

We often recommend this area to our clients who want to experience the energy of King's Day without the extreme density of the city center. You'll find more locals here, and often better deals at the vrijmarkt too!

For Club Experiences: Rembrandtplein & Leidseplein

These two squares and their surrounding areas host some of the biggest organized parties during King's Day. Major clubs and venues set up outdoor stages with DJs and live music, creating festival-like environments.

Tickets for these events often sell out weeks in advance, so planning ahead is essential. In our experience, these areas offer the most structured party environments but are also the most commercial aspects of King's Day.

For Canal Watching: Prinsengracht & Keizersgracht

If you want to experience the famous canal boat parties without actually being on a boat, finding a spot along Prinsengracht or Keizersgracht offers front-row seats to the floating parade. The bridges crossing these canals become particularly popular viewing spots.

We've found that bringing a small cooler with drinks and snacks and claiming a canal-side spot early in the day is a great strategy. The atmosphere along the canals is festive and communal, with people from all walks of life gathering to celebrate together.

Practical Tips from Expats Who've Been There

Over our years of King's Day celebrations, we've collected some practical wisdom that we share with all our clients:

Plan Your Bathroom Strategy

This might sound strange, but it's crucial! Public facilities become scarce and often have long lines. Many cafés and restaurants restrict bathroom access to paying customers only, and even then, expect queues.

We recommend planning a rough route that includes places where you know you can access facilities, or consider booking a table at a café for part of the day to have a home base with bathroom access. Carrying a small pack of tissues and hand sanitizer just in case is also wise.

Cash is King

While the Netherlands is typically a card-friendly country, King's Day is an exception. The vrijmarkt vendors almost exclusively accept cash, and many temporary food and drink stalls do too. ATMs run out of money quickly, so withdraw cash the day before.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

This is not the day for breaking in new shoes! You'll likely walk much more than you expect, often through crowded streets and sometimes over uneven surfaces. Every year we see tourists suffering in inappropriate footwear. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes that you don't mind getting a bit dirty are ideal.

Stay Hydrated and Fed

With all the excitement, it's easy to forget basic needs. King's Day can be a long day of celebrating, and the combination of walking, possible drinking, and often surprisingly warm April weather can lead to dehydration.

We always recommend carrying a water bottle and knowing where you can refill it. Similarly, having snacks on hand helps when food lines are long or you find yourself in an area with limited food options.

Have a Meeting Point Strategy

Mobile networks often become overloaded during King's Day, making it difficult to contact friends if you get separated. Before heading out, establish meeting points and times in case you lose each other.

Prepare for Weather Contingencies

April weather in Amsterdam can be unpredictable. We've experienced everything from sunny, warm King's Days to cold, rainy celebrations. Layered clothing and a small packable rain jacket are wise precautions. Don't let unpredictable weather dampen your spirit or cut your celebrations short!

The Day After: King's Night and Recovery

Many newcomers don't realize that the celebrations actually begin the night before King's Day. King's Night (Koningsnacht) features parties and events throughout the city, though on a smaller scale than the main event.

We have mixed opinions on whether it's better to enjoy both King's Night and King's Day or save your energy for the main celebration. If you do participate in both, be prepared for two days of festivities and plan recovery time accordingly.

The day after King's Day, much of the city returns to normal with remarkable speed, though some evidence of the party remains. Many Amsterdam residents take this day off to recover, and you might want to plan for a relaxed day as well.

Experiencing Your First King's Day

Your first King's Day as an expat in Amsterdam is truly a memorable experience. It offers a unique glimpse into Dutch culture, revealing a side of the normally reserved Dutch that might surprise you. The celebration showcases the Netherlands' ability to host a massive nationwide party that somehow manages to feel both exuberant and orderly.

We recommend embracing the spirit of the day: wear orange, try traditional foods like tompouce (an orange-glazed pastry specially made for the occasion), join the communal singing of "Het Wilhelmus" (the national anthem), and most importantly, go with the flow.

As expats ourselves, we found that King's Day provided some of our earliest and most cherished memories of truly feeling connected to our adopted home. There's something magical about joining a million people in celebration that creates a sense of belonging.

If you love Amsterdam as much as we do and would love to live here, we can help you find a home. We understand what makes each neighborhood special because we've experienced them firsthand.

More about Kingsday Amsterdam you can find on the IAmsterdam website

Amsterdam Life Homes is a team of expats who have made Amsterdam our home. We help fellow foreigners navigate the unique challenges of relocating to and living in the Netherlands with personalized real estate services including buying, renting, letting, and furnishing homes.