King’s Day in Amsterdam: what museums are open, activities to do and what to eat on the busiest days of the year
King’s Day is one of the most heartfelt national holidays in Amsterdam, on those days the city turns orange, the squares become a huge flea market and stalls with local food products where you can enjoy the most authentic atmosphere of the year. Music everywhere, toasts at every corner, and lots of merriment to share with the locals.
Known for its youthful atmosphere everywhere, green parks and numerous museums, Amsterdam becomes the star of many festivals throughout the year. Some of the most important include the King’s Day, also known as Koningsdag: a day dedicated to the coronation of the king and an occasion to fill the streets with locals and visitors in fun wigs and orange-colored clothes, the national hue of the Netherlands.
King’s Day, or King’s Day, is an ancient local tradition that was originally called the Queen’s Festival. It is a holiday that originated in Holland in 1885, at a time of strong skepticism of the people toward the monarchy toward which the king reacted with a strategic decision, that of establishing a national holiday, with cadence Aug. 31, for the fifth birthday of Little Princess Wilhelmina, the next heir to the throne, thus bringing the royals back into the good graces of the people.
As the years passed and Juliana, successor to the crown, took over, the anniversary was set for April 30, the day of his birth. A date that has remained stable ever since despite successive heirs to the throne, thus giving stability to a festival whose importance has grown over the years, thanks in part to the Dutch people’s openness to the crown. Suffice it to say that on the day April 30, 2013 was chosen as the date to crown the King William Alexander, transforming the celebration into the Koningsdag, or King’s Day.
King’s Day in Amsterdam: how they celebrate in the Netherlands.
In the night of April 26-27. festivities begin in all of Amsterdam’s pubs, bars and clubs with special events attracting lots of fun-seeking revelers. To get an idea of the importance of the event, just walk around the downtown squares in thea area of Jordaan and Nieuwmarkt where you can find various parties between DJs playing, boats cruising the canals playing live music, and people strolling around with a festive air.
For the occasion, Amsterdam also becomes a huge flea market where people take advantage to sell their used goods without permission and without paying fees for their sales. So you see small stalls set up at the park, on sidewalks and in backyards, especially at the Vondelpark Park, in the museum area, which offers several children’s stands where children become the sellers of their own toys, even offering shows and dances in exchange for a few coins.
On April 30, which has become National Holiday, many museums remain closed with a few exceptions such as the van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and the Rijksmuseum with the Anne Frank House which only work reduced hours to allow everyone to celebrate.
Why Amsterdam wears orange
During the King’s Day in Amsterdam all squares are dressed in orange, the official color of Dutch royalty. La Orange Nassau family is indeed an ancient lineage that rose to the honors of glory especially with William of Orange who managed to gain independence from the Spanish in the late 1500s by establishing the Republic of the Seven United Provinces. Not only that, orange was one of the colors featured in the national flag, later replaced by red. The decision to change the hue was due to the fact that orange faded easily, choosing yellow, which was more visible even in the distance.
For these reasons, orange has become the national color not only of Holland but of all the Netherlands, and on King’s Day everyone must wear at least one orange garment, paired with makeup or a wig of the same shade.
The atmosphere of merriment that the festival creates is amplified by the many toasts that are made in the squares with one of the country’s most famous local beverages: the Oranjebitter. It is a liquor born in 1620 to celebrate the victory of Prince Frederick Henry, and over the years has become a symbol of this city and its royal family.
What to do in Amsterdam on King’s Day
If you decide to visit Amsterdam on King’s Day, it is necessary to inquire about the activities that can be carried out. As anticipated many museums are closed, nevertheless the following attractions can be visited:
- Van Gogh Museum
- Rijksmuseum
- Stedelijk Museum
- Hortus Botanicus
- Zoo Artis
- A’Dam Lookout tower with the swings located at the top
- Amsterdam Dungeon
- Heineken Experience
- Madame Tussauds
- Ripley’s Believe it or not
If you do not want to visit museums, but have fun on the street mingling among the locals, you can participate in some not-to-be-missed events that are organized every year in the city’s main squares.
Regarding the movement of public transportation, it is good to know that they also work regularly in the night of April 26-27. While during the day on April 27, the buses, trains and cabs circulate only outside the center, leaving the city free for markets, music events, and walking tours.
To move from one area to another, it is good to use a few train lines that basically take care of the route Schiphol-Amsterdam, guaranteeing departures from the city airport.
Boat rides and city shopping
One of the main activities that attract tourists visiting Amsterdam is a boat ride through the city’s canals. During King’s Day such service is not totally active, so it is important to inquire in advance about companies that offer the possibility of taking the tour, even if with reduced hours.
As for the opening hours of stores on main streets, many businesses remain closed half a day while others all day. Nonetheless, those who feel like buying special items will be able to pick up some second-hand souvenirs at the many flea markets around the city.
Where to eat in Amsterdam on April 30 for Koningsdag
Amsterdam is the city of a thousand possibilities, you will find places offering international food and several eateries offering street food with local products, plenty of beer, and various appetizers. Obviously on April 30. not all of them will be open, but you certainly won’t go hungry.
On the street, it is possible to find several stands with gastronomic offerings that respect the oldest traditions with one of the tastiest dishes in the city: the potatoes! Walking around the streets of the city, one can find stalls with sandwiches, soups, cupcakes and cheeses of all kinds. In short, all that is left to do is to start the tour and set out on the most hidden streets, looking for the most delicious delicacies.
