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King’s Day, known as Koningsdag in Dutch, is a national holiday in the Netherlands celebrated nationwide, including street markets, concerts, and a sea of orange-clad revelers. In 2025, King’s Day falls on Sunday, April 27. However, when April 27 lands on a Sunday, the celebrations are traditionally moved to the preceding Saturday. Therefore, 2025, King’s Day will be observed on Saturday, April 26.
The Origins of King’s Day
The tradition dates back to 1885 when it was first celebrated as Prinsessedag, or Princess’s Day, in honor of Princess Wilhelmina’s fifth birthday on August 31. This initiative aimed to foster national unity. The holiday became known as Koninginnedag, or Queen’s Day, upon Wilhelmina’s ascension to the throne. Subsequent queens Juliana and Beatrix celebrated the Day on their respective birthdays, April 30 and January 31. However, Queen Beatrix chose to retain April 30 for the celebrations, honoring her mother, Juliana, and taking advantage of the more favorable spring weather.
With King Willem-Alexander’s ascension to the throne, the holiday was renamed King’s Day and rescheduled to his birthday, April 27. If this date falls on a Sunday, the festivities are held on the preceding Saturday, as in 2025.
Modern Celebrations
King’s Day is renowned for its nationwide vrijmarkt, or free market, where people sell second-hand items, turning city streets into bustling flea markets. The tradition reflects the Dutch spirit of commerce and community. Significant cities like Amsterdam have become hubs of celebration, featuring boat parties along the canals, live music performances, and various cultural events. The color orange dominates the festivities, symbolizing the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau.
King’s Day 2025 in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s King’s Day celebrations are particularly notable, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. The city’s canals are filled with boats, and the streets are lined with stalls and stages for performances. Given the scale of the event, it’s advisable for attendees to plan accommodations and travel well in advance.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, participating in King’s Day offers a unique opportunity to experience Dutch culture and communal festivity at its most exuberant.