King's Day (Netherlands) Countdown 2025
King's Day - April 27th (Netherlands)
King's Day (Koningsdag) is a national holiday in the Netherlands celebrated on 27 April. It marks the birthday of the reigning monarch, King Willem-Alexander. Previously, when a queen was on the throne, the holiday was known as Queen's Day (Koninginnedag) and was celebrated on 30 April.
Festivities and Customs
King's Day is a day of widespread celebration throughout the Netherlands. The color orange, associated with the Dutch royal family (the House of Orange-Nassau), is prominent everywhere. Key traditions include:
- Free Markets (Vrijmarkten): Throughout the country, people set up stalls in public spaces to sell second-hand goods. This is a unique aspect of the holiday where no permit is required for selling.
- Street Parties: Cities and towns are filled with street parties, live music performances, and DJs. People often dress up in orange and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
- Royal Family Visit: The King and other members of the royal family typically visit one or two municipalities in the Netherlands on King's Day, participating in local festivities and meeting with the public.
- Boat Parades: In some cities with canals, like Amsterdam, there are often festive boat parades.
Evolution of the Holiday
Queen's Day was first celebrated on 31 August 1885, on the birthday of Queen Wilhelmina. It later moved to 30 April to honor Queen Juliana and then Queen Beatrix. When Willem-Alexander became King in 2013, the holiday shifted to his birthday on 27 April. The spirit of community and celebration has remained a central part of the holiday's evolution.