How to get the most out of your King's Day (Koningsdag)? Dress in orange, eat orange tompouces and any other orange food you can find, and head out to enjoy the country-wide festivities! Most importantly, visit a King's Night party the evening before, stroll around a vrijmarkt or dance at one of the music festivals!
The evening before King's Day, people head out in masses to celebrate King's Night. Here’s a short selection of parties you shouldn’t miss:
› The Flower Power Parade, Amsterdam
› Full On Royal Edition, Amsterdam
› Flipside, Amsterdam
› Life I live Festival, The Hague
› Beat the Bridge, Arnhem
› Oranjekoorts, Delft
The vrijmarkt (or free market) is the result on a grand lift on the nationwide restriction laws on street selling and performing. Citizens young and old head outside and lay down blankets or set up tables to flog their second-hand wares cheaply.
The vrijmarkt is hard to miss in any city centre, but here’s our selection in case you want to be absolutely sure where to find the hotspots:
The Amsterdam vrijmarkt takes place throughout the entire city centre from 6am to 8pm. Some of the most popular vrijmarkt locations are the Vondelpark, Apollolaan, Lineausstraat, Sarphatipark and the Jordaan. You could also have a look at the NDSM Werf for a collection of special vrijmarkt events and parties.
A lot of shops will be open during King's Day in The Hague, and the city centre can be visited for the vrijmarkt. It is especially interesting at the Frederik Hendriklaan, from 7am until 4 pm, or from the Boekhorststraat in the centre up to the Keizerstraat in Scheveningen. If you are more interested in vintage fairs, head out to the Grote Markt!
In Rotterdam, you will be able to find the vrijmarkt all through the centre. For great bargains, stroll down one of the many flea markets that are located from the Coolsingel to the market on the Binnenrotte.
The entire Utrecht city centre will bustle with the vrijmarkt from 6pm on April 26 to 6pm on April 27.
The Nijmegen vrijmarkt can be found in, among other locations, the Goffertpark from 9am until 4pm.
The Leiden vrijmarkt takes place beside the Nieuwe Rijn and around the Hooglandse Kerk. For the antiques market, head out to the Breestraat and the Steenschuur.
Avoid common mistakes and make the most of your King's Day by following these practical tips:
› Selling at the Vrijmarkt. To sell any form of meat, fish, dairy product, refreshments in glass bottles and/or alcohol, the proper permits are required.
› Drinking alcohol. Open containers are not allowed on the train. City regulations will vary.
› Museums and shops. King’s Day is a public holiday, meaning many museums, attractions and shops will be closed or operating on altered schedules.
› Transport. In major cities public transport will be crowded. Keep in mind that cycling can also be difficult with the mess of people, trash and broken glass on the streets.
› Mobile phones. Especially in Amsterdam, the signal towers have been known to get overloaded with the surge in usage. This can result in text messages and calls being delayed or unavailable.
During King's Day music festivals pop up throughout the entire country! Both indoor and outdoor, you can find a party going on almost everywhere!
Here are our picks for interesting music festivals in different big cities:
› Kingsday Festival
This is the biggest King's Day rave in the Netherlands, with four areas and over 30 performing artists.
› Click Party King's Day
A free and fun outdoor festival with some of Amsterdam’s best DJs. After 8pm, the party moves indoors to the Westerunie.
› Oranjebloesem
Move away from the masses to this party with a view of the IJ, enjoy a cold beer and listen to some unique artists. After 8pm the party moves on into Nachtbloesem and continues until 4am.
› Slam!FM Koningsdag
An extensive line-up featuring much beloved DJs, Slam!FM Koningsdag was a big hit last year and is going to do it all over again!
› Koningsdag Festival Rotterdam
This festival has a terrific line-up of Dutch and English artists. If you still want to party afterwards, you can also buy separate tickets for the after party at Spido.
› Sweet Kingsday 2015
Various DJs and bands perform at this fun and multicultural little outdoor festival, with styles from latin and reggae to house and RnB!
› Kingshouse Festival
The Kingshouse Festival is an in- and outdoor event, and you can witness the first edition! Dress in orange and white and be submerged into eclectic sounds and house music!
› Oranjepop Nijmegen
International and Dutch bands take the stage at this outdoor fest in Nijmegen. This is a go-to festival for music lovers.
› Citymoves Festival
International and local artists with, among others DJ Armin van Buuren, perform for 12 hours straight in the centre of Leiden!
› Kingsize Festival Arnhem
Dutch DJs and house tracks liven up Arnhem’s King's Day, followed by various after parties.
› Electric Orange Festival
This free and easily accessed dance event takes place on the former Philips Lighting terrain, and has an extensive line-up.
Most of these festivals are aimed at ages 18 and up.
Here’s to wishing His Majesty Willem-Alexander a very happy 48th birthday!