Ready for the 1st King's Day ever?

Taking place on the 26th of April, King's Day will be at its best in Amsterdam, with huge street parties and markets all over town

Goodbye Queen's Day, Hello King's Day! As of 2014, this much loved Dutch event will be celebrating King Willem-Alexander's birthday, on the 27th of April; since the royal celebrations are never hold on a Sunday, the 2014 edition will exceptionally be taking place on the 26th of April.

Street and boat parties, free flea markets, fairs, food stands and music are the highlights which make Amsterdam the place to be for King' s Day.



Get the party started earlier on King's Night
Celebrations actually kick off on King's Day Eve with clubs around town putting together special events and parties; be sure to buy your tickets beforehand! However, if you are on a tight budget join Kingsize Festival instead, a free party taking place on Westerstraat in the district of The Jordaan.

Boat parties
To have the chance to spend King's Day on a boat is a kind of privilege; if you are lucky enough to get to meet some locals and be invitated to spend the day on their boat, well, just jump on it and have fun, lucky you! If that's not the case, get a nice spot on a bridge on Prinsengracht, Rokin, Grimburgwal, Voorburgwal, Oudeschans and Herengracht canals or join the street celebrations in the districts of The Jordaan and Wallen.



Great bargains at the free markets (Vrijmarkt)
Vrijmarkt are free flea markets taking place especially on King's Day: anybody is allowed to set up its own stand and freely sell on the street 2nd hand clothes, toys, houseware, anything basically. Children can test their commercial skills at Vondelkpark where the flea markets is traditionally for kids only and takes place from 9am onwards on Kings' Day.

Something orange in your party outfit
Orange is the official color of the Dutch Royal family and a must in the party outfit: in order to feel more local and into the festive mood make sure you are wearing some.



Drinking rules
It is allowed to drink alcohol on the street but you can't carry more than one drink per person at a time.

Sleep like the Royalty at Cocomama
Cocomama's Dutch themed rooms are unique: check out their private "Royal Room"! Alternatively this Amsterdam boutique hostel provides also beds in luxury 4 and 6-bed dorms.

Happy Koningsdag!

Flicker pics are by kerryinlondon and tjuel and were under the Creative Commons licence at the time of publication.