Kings Day, a major celebration in the Netherlands, honours the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. Originally known as Queens Day, the tradition began in 1885 to celebrate Queen Wilhelmina’s birthday. After her daughter, Queen Juliana, took the throne, the celebration moved to April 30th. When Queen Beatrix ascended, she chose to keep the date in April due to the weather, even though her own birthday is in January. When King Willem-Alexander became king, he shifted the celebration to his own birthday, April 27th. Kings Day now celebrates the House of Orange-Nassau, the Dutch Royal Family.
I visited Amsterdam with a few classmates for Kings Day in 2016. As international students, our German friends were not keen on skipping lectures for the festivities, making this my only lecture-free day for fun. The experience was unforgettable—the vibrant atmosphere, people dancing and smiling in the streets, and the overall energy made Kings Day a spectacular event. Since I was living in Essen at the time, I took a student travel bus to Amsterdam for the day, returning to Germany around 3 am. Before heading to Amsterdam, I sought advice from my Dutch friend Monique and did some research. Here are a few tips I learned for surviving Kings Day.
Don’t Get the Date Wrong
Guidebooks can become outdated quickly, and some tourists still show up on April 30th instead of the current Kings Day date. Make sure you know the correct date—April 27th.
Wear Something Orange
Orange is the colour of Kings Day and the Netherlands, often referred to as the “Orange Kingdom.” The national soccer team sports orange kits, and on Kings Day, Amsterdam turns into a sea of orange. Join in by wearing something orange to blend with the festive crowd.
Kings Day is celebrated nationwide in the Netherlands as a national holiday, and my visit to Amsterdam was a memorable highlight of my time as an international student.
Create a Meet-Up Point
The streets of Amsterdam on Kings Day turn into an enormous party zone, with massive crowds, loud music, and people dancing and drinking everywhere. To avoid losing track of your friends in the chaos, stay close and consider holding hands if necessary. As a backup, establish a designated meet-up point where you can reconnect if you get separated.
Drinking Rules
Drinking on the streets is legal during Kings Day, and both locals and tourists partake in the festivities. However, you’re only allowed to carry one alcoholic beverage at a time. A six-pack of beer, for example, counts as more than one. Police have the authority to check your bags and confiscate any excess alcohol.
Instead of carrying a six-pack, consider buying a single bottle and sharing it with friends using paper cups. Alternatively, have a friend who drinks less carry any additional beer. There are beer kegs at outdoor dance parties and vendors selling beer on the street. Supermarkets typically limit your purchase to a small amount—like two beers—so plan accordingly. Many people bend these rules, but if your alcohol is confiscated, it’s a risk you’ll have to accept. Also, remember that if you’re sailing a boat, drinking is prohibited, so arrange for a sober captain.
Embrace Dutch Street Food in Amsterdam
When in Amsterdam, I highly recommend skipping the Argentine steak and exploring the local street food and traditional Dutch cuisine. Dutch people don’t typically eat Argentine steak in Amsterdam, so it’s a mystery why tourists might choose it over authentic local fare.
Instead, dive into Dutch specialties like stroopwafels, pannekoeken (Dutch pancakes), bitterballen, fries, croquettes, and poffertjes (mini pancakes). Don’t miss trying Dutch cheese and the unique sweet or salty liquorice, which you can find in most supermarkets. The salty liquorice is an acquired taste but worth a try for the full Dutch experience.
Additionally, Amsterdam offers fantastic Indonesian rijsttafel, a reflection of the strong Indonesian influence in the Netherlands. This diverse array of dishes provides a far more authentic and enjoyable culinary experience than the tourist-focused restaurants that often serve only waffles and Argentine steak. Embrace the local flavours for a truly memorable dining experience in Amsterdam!
Do Eat and Stay Hydrated
Make sure to eat breakfast, pack snacks, and have lunch throughout the day. Bring water to stay hydrated. If you plan to drink, it’s crucial to eat well, as drinking on an empty stomach can be dangerous. One of the guys I met had a rough experience because he drank and smoked heavily without eating, though fortunately, he didn’t require emergency services.
Don’t Pee in the Canals
This should go without saying, but don’t pee in the canals. Doing so can now result in hefty fines. Peeing in the canals contributes to the negative perception of tourists in Amsterdam. Help preserve the city’s reputation by using one of the many temporary public toilets available during Kings Day.
Don’t Swim in the Canals
Swimming in the canals is prohibited and, frankly, unappealing, especially on Kings Day when the canals are less than pristine. Stick to enjoying the festivities on dry land.
Don’t Expect to Do Tourist Attractions
Many museums are closed on Kings Day, and those that are open are likely to be overcrowded. Plan your museum visits for another day and immerse yourself in the street celebrations instead. While you can still see popular sites from the outside, don’t expect to do much museum-hopping on a day dedicated to partying.
Boat Parties on King’s Day
Partying on a boat during King’s Day looks like an absolute blast. As a student with a tighter budget, I chose to skip this experience, but if you’re considering it, here’s what you need to know. Boat parties are incredibly popular and fill up quickly, so be sure to book well in advance.
Additionally, some of Amsterdam’s canals have one-way traffic rules. If you plan to hire and operate your own boat, do your research to understand these rules and follow them to avoid any issues. Enjoy the festive atmosphere from the water if you can—just plan ahead to make the most of your King’s Day experience!
Kings Day Stalls: Shopping and Selling Tips
On Kings Day, Amsterdam is bustling with stalls offering both second-hand and new goods. There’s a special children’s market where kids sell items like books, toys, clothes, and more, but note that this market closes earlier than others. You’ll also find adults selling a variety of items throughout the city.
To buy from these stalls, make sure to bring cash in smaller denominations. If you’re looking to score free items, wait until around 5 a.m. when many people start giving away their goods.
If you’re interested in selling things yourself, you’re welcome to do so, but avoid selling liquor, perishable food, or drugs. You can sell clothes, second-hand household items, books, stationery, and original DVDs and CDs (no knock-offs). Just be mindful not to block streets or entrances. In central Amsterdam, as well as in the South and West districts, there are specific regulations on where you can set up your stall. Look for where others are setting up their stalls and follow their lead to ensure you’re in compliance with local rules.
Carry Cash on King’s Day
It’s essential to carry cash in smaller bills on King’s Day. Whether you’re buying a drink at a bar or grabbing some delicious and affordable street food—something I highly recommend—you’ll need cash to make transactions. Cash is truly king on this festive day.
Be Cautious of Pickpockets
With the enormous crowds, pickpocketing can be a risk. Stay vigilant and keep a close eye on your belongings to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Enjoy the celebrations, but always be aware of your surroundings.
Wear Good Shoes on King’s Day
With numerous street parties to visit, you’ll find yourself doing a lot of walking and dancing. I ended up exploring various spots, including a fantastic yet crowded gay bar, and walked from party to party. My day included visiting the Children’s Market, attending a concert, enjoying street dance parties, stopping by a coffee shop, and making a few trips to the supermarket for alcohol and food. The day culminated in a long walk back to the bus for the journey to Germany.
Check the Weather Report
April weather in Amsterdam can be unpredictable. Kings Day might bring bright sunshine or chilly conditions. When I attended in 2016, it was cloudy and colder than expected. I wore a thick jacket and boots with stockings, which was a smart choice. Avoid assuming that sunny weather means warmth—don’t rely on a light denim jacket alone. Be prepared for changing conditions to ensure a comfortable day of festivities.
On Weed Smoking in Amsterdam
Amsterdam allows marijuana consumption only inside licensed coffee shops, not just any café. Coffee shops are clearly marked with signs that say “coffee shop.” These establishments are specifically authorised to sell marijuana. While the police generally overlook outside weed smoking on Kings Day, you could still face a fine if they choose to enforce the law. Additionally, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are prohibited inside coffee shops—only one vice is permitted at a time.
Charge Your Devices
Make sure to charge all your devices and bring a portable charger. During my solo trip to Amsterdam in 2015, I wasn’t well-prepared, and my camera died, leaving me with only a few mediocre photos. By Kings Day in 2016, I was better prepared and managed to keep all my devices fully charged, ensuring I captured plenty of great moments.
Public Transport in Amsterdam on Kings Day
Driving to Amsterdam on Kings Day is a bad idea—it’s a nightmare with traffic jams and scarce parking. Public transport is your best option. However, be aware that public transport options can be limited, especially in the central areas where many street parties are happening. Do your research ahead of time to plan your journey effectively.
8 PM Shutdown
By 8 PM, the free street parties, markets, and street beer sales come to an end. This marks the close of the free festivities of Kings Day. After this time, you’ll need to pay a cover charge to enter clubs or events. Personally, I found that a full day of partying was enough, so I left around 9 PM to catch the student bus back to Germany. The streets began to empty, and even the Red Light District was nearly deserted—an ideal time for capturing nighttime photos of the city.
Don’t Get Utterly Smashed
While getting wasted on Kings Day is common, I avoid getting drunk while traveling. During my first trip to Amsterdam, I experienced some uncomfortable situations—I was groped on a bus and a guy tried to lure me into a deserted street and a strip club. As a petite woman who looks quite young, I found that being intoxicated made me more vulnerable. The same goes for everyone: being drunk increases the risk of making poor decisions, being taken advantage of, or falling victim to pickpocketing. Although there are many police officers patrolling during Kings Day, they can’t be everywhere.
Enjoy the festivities, but stay cautious and keep your wits about you to avoid losing your passport or getting into trouble.
That’s all for now! Have you been to Kings Day? Did you love it, hate it, or are you thinking about going? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
Read More:
Kings Day in Amsterdam: What You Need to Know
Kings Day House Rules and Regulations
10 Tips for Surviving Kings Day
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Happy travels!
Nikkidiscovers 