Queen's Day in Amsterdam
Queen's Day festivities invite locals and 500-800,000 visitors alike to soak up Amsterdam's open-air fun. In the streets, canals, public houses, pleins (squares), parks and any possible space in between, amidst orange-pride, live music, DJs, parties and a citywide open market, it's an electric atmosphere not to be missed.
Happy Birthday?
Queen's Day was first celebrated in honour of Princess Wilhelmina's birth on 31 August 1885. After her abdication from Queen in 1949, the day changed to 30 April, daughter Queen Juliana's birthday.
Now her daughter, Queen Beatrix officially celebrates her birthday on 30 April even though she was born on 31 January.
Orange roots
The prominence of orange references the Dutch Royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau. As a show of pride, tradition and a somewhat over-the-top fashion choice, everyone—and their food, pet and water fountain—is covered head to toe in orange.
Canals
Never has a gridlock been such fun. On Queen's Day, thousands of brightly decorated boats, with sound systems blaring*, rub up against one another as the narrow Amsterdam canals overflow in a sea of orange. The next best thing to being on one of the boats, is to find a spot to watch from the bridges.
Citywide street sale
As a city built on trade, Amsterdammers love to haggle and bargain. The vrijmarkt (free market) allows hobby-entrepreneurs to deal their wares throughout the streets and parks of Amsterdam.
The largest market is reserved for the littlest people as children in Vondelpark set up shop selling toys outgrown and clothes cast off, with proceeds invested back into the business of being a kid. Likewise young, busking musicians bring the already vibrant Vondelpark into song.
Queen's Day and Queen's Night parties
Bustling Jordaan cafes stage live music outdoors while bigger parties like the TWSTd's on the Weteringplantsoen, Radio 538 celebrations on the Museumplein and the Royal T-Dansant (29 April) and Royal Fire (30 April) at Stoperaplein boast big name DJs before turning indoors to clubs and larger venues to continue through the night.
So eager to celebrate, Koninginnenacht (Queen’s Night) has become as big a party for many revellers. Bars and café patios spill over after work before clubs and outdoor parties roll into the early hours. For those with foresight, moderate restraint on Koninginnenacht is preparation for a long next day—especially those on one of the thousands of canal boats.
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Click here for Queen's Day and Night party listings
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