King’s Day 101: History, Culture, & Tips for International Students

As you may have seen on Instagram, the Netherlands recently turned bright orange — shirts, leis, hats, scarves — all for a huge national celebration. You might’ve wondered: Did the Netherlands finally win the World Cup? Is this Halloween, Dutch edition? Not quite. This is King’s Day (Koningsdag), the most iconic national holiday in the Netherlands and likely a core memory in the making for you as an international student.

What is Koningsdag?

Originally celebrated as Queen’s Day in 1891 for Princess Wilhelmina’s birthday, the holiday has changed dates with different monarchs. When King Willem-Alexander took the throne in 2013, it became King’s Day, now held on 27 April.

But why all the orange? It’s not just style: orange is the national colour, inspired by the royal family’s name: House of Oranje-Nassau. When the Dutch celebrate, they do it in full-on “Oranjegekte” (Orange Madness) — shirts, wigs, face paint, even orange pastries.

Why Was It on the 26th of April This Year?

While King’s Day is normally celebrated on 27 April for King Willem-Alexander, it was held on Saturday, 26 April this year. This is done to avoid conflict with religious observances and allow for more public participation and festivities over the weekend.

How to Celebrate Like a Local

If it’s your first King’s Day, just throw on something orange and start walking. Grab some friends, bring cash, and explore, there’s no “right” way to celebrate.

• Party in the Streets: Amsterdam’s Jordaan, Museumplein, and Rembrandtplein turn into open-air festivals. The canals are packed with music-blaring boats, and the whole city buzzes with energy.

• Shop the Vrijmarkt (Free Market): It’s the one day a year anyone can sell goods on the street without a permit. Wealthy areas like Amsterdam-Zuid are great for vintage finds and designer steals.

• Dress the Part: Whether it’s a bright orange shirt or a ridiculous crown, the more orange, the better. Trust us — you won’t blend in otherwise, and that’s the point.

Wait, this sounds like an all-day affair. What’s the toilet situation?

Finding a public toilet in Amsterdam is challenging on a normal day and most certainly a royal pain on King’s Day (especially in the Jordaan). In 2023, the municipality increased the number of public toilets, making 350 total available (180 urinals, 140 seated toilets, and 23 accessible ones). Even so, queues, especially for seated toilets, can stretch upwards of an hour. This year, Dutch businesses and residents took matters into their own hands. HEMA launched its King’s Day thuistoilet campaign, where locals registered online to open their private restrooms to partygoers (often for €1–2). Partygoers could search for nearby toilets online and spot participating homes by the thuistoilet signs in their windows.

Tips for First-Timers

If this is your first King’s Day, here are a few tips to help you survive (and enjoy) the chaos.

• Charge your phone fully and bring a portable charger

• Wear comfy shoes: you’ll be walking or standing most of the day

• Bring cash and coins for the vrijmarkt. Not everyone accepts cards.

• Plan your route in advance: public transit will be limited, and roads or bridges might be blocked off.

• Stay safe and stay respectful: it’s a celebration, but not a free-for-all. Be mindful of local customs, especially if you’re in family-friendly areas like Vondelpark.

Bonus: What to Post on Instagram

Let’s be real, King’s Day is also Instagram GOLD. If you want to document your day, here are a few can’t-miss shots.

• Your orange outfit of the day (#OOOTD)

• A selfie along the canals with party boats behind you

• A photo of your best thrift market find

• Crowded scenes in Jordaan, from above or eye-level – capture all the orange!

Whether you’re dancing on a canal boat or scoring vintage treasures in Zuid, King’s Day is one of those “only in the Netherlands” moments you don’t want to miss. So throw on some orange, get out there, and make some memories — you’re living like a local now. 🧡🇳🇱

See you next year,

Analise