Tips for King's Day
King’s Day in Amsterdam: a citywide celebration
Whilst Koningsdag is a public holiday, it is certainly not a day of rest. After a burst of festivities and parties on King’s Night, the carnival atmosphere continues throughout the city on King’s Day itself (Monday 27 April 2026). DJs play parties on dedicated public squares, and live music spills onto streets from café patios.
Amsterdam’s biggest King’s Day festivals
- Loveland van Oranje: Set in Meerpark (Radioweg 64), Loveland returns with another electrifying edition. With a line-up stacked with musical royalty, it’s all about good vibes and even better tunes.
- Kingsland Festival: This year’s edition takes over the iconic Olympic Stadium on April 27. As the largest King’s Day festival (and the biggest one-day music festival in the Netherlands), Kingsland is setting the stage for yet another unforgettable celebration.
- FYM x Oranjebloesem Kingsday Amsterdam: Free Your Mind and Oranjebloesem join forces for the biggest Kingsday event in Amsterdam. And where most events close at 20:00, this one runs until 22:00.
Party on the water
Looking for something different? Hop aboard the Supperclub Cruise for an unforgettable King's Day party on the water. With pumping music and stunning canal views, it’s a one-of-a-kind floating celebration.
Lowkey (and free!) parties
Prefer something a bit more relaxed (and free)? Amsterdam’s got you covered with plenty of low-key celebrations scattered across the city:
- Bredeweg Festival: A neighbourhood festival that has the feel of a village fair come to life, this is a tamer party for families, filled with barbecues, games and live music
- Pllek King’s Day: With its beachy vibes along the IJ River, Pllek is a laid-back spot to soak in the music and atmosphere.
- King’s Day at the Homomonument: The Homomonument becomes the heart of Amsterdam’s queerest King’s Day festival, filling the streets with colour, beats, and pure joy as DJs spin all day.
- NDSM Vrijhaven: A free festival at NDSM-Plein where an arty market transforms into a collective cultural space, that's focused on creative workshops, food and fantastic finds
Ready to join the fun? Here’s our full agenda for all the King's Day and Night parties happening across Amsterdam.
Stroll through the vrijmarkt
King’s Day isn’t just an excuse to have a boogie. Ask any local, and they’ll tell you about their childhood memories of the vrijmarkt (free market), the biggest flea market of the year, which takes place each year on King's Day. One of the holiday’s most enduring traditions, the vrijmarkt is a sight to behold, as the streets and parks of Amsterdam transform into a market. There’s a community feel in the air, and while the fare isn’t ‘free’, it’s open to anyone and everyone. Some great places to check out the market are Vondelpark, Sarphatipark, and NDSM Wharf, which are great for families, as these are designated child-friendly zones. It helps to arrive early, since the pickings get slimmer as the day progresses.
Stay in one place
During King's Day, the streets are one big moving carnival, but overcrowding and congestion can be a problem. Avoid worming your way through pressing crowds and enjoy King's Day in one place, like at one of the many free events organised in the city. This year, you'll find options in Watergraafsmeer (Bredeweg), NDSM, Amstelveld, Regulierdwarsstraat, Rembrandtplein, Spui and Marie Heinekenplein. Expect DJs, stages, bars, and lots of dancing. All in orange, of course.
Get cultural
As the whole city will be fit to bursting with Amsterdammers and people from all over the world, you might want to slip away for a little while and enjoy some of the city’s cultural attractions. While most of Amsterdam's major museums and attractions are closed on King's Day, several cultural hotspots, including the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, and the Rijksmuseum, traditionally stay open. Be sure to check specific opening hours to avoid disappointment.
Anticipate the weather
April is a notoriously rainy month, and though the weather might hold out on King’s Day (and perhaps even allow for a ray of sunshine here and there if the stars align), the chance of a downpour is high. Trudging around the city in the rain is no fun if you aren’t prepared, so check the weather forecast before you head out. Raincoats and ponchos are a must – but leave those umbrellas at home since you won’t have the space to hold them open in the busy streets.
Seek out some green
As the biggest street party of the year, this national holiday isn’t for the faint-hearted. While the world flocks to Amsterdam on King's Day, some locals seek peace and quiet on the outskirts of the city. If you're in danger of orange overload, join them in the gardens and parks further from the centre, such as Park Frankendael and the Amsterdamse Bos. Really want to get your zen on this King's Day? Venture beyond the city limits to the greater Amsterdam Area and explore all the region has to offer.
Party along from home
Can't make it to Amsterdam? There's always a way to show your Dutch pride on King's Day. Wherever you are in the world, bring the party to you with this do-it-yourself King's Day party kit. Complete with bitterballen recipes, decoration ideas, sing-a-longs, games, and cocktail suggestions, let the national festivities take place in the comfort of your own home for a royally good time.