When I moved to Amsterdam, it used to be called Queen's Day and took place every year on April 30. On that day, Dutch people celebrated their queen's birthday. Well actually, the former queen's birthday, because the actual queen's (Beatrix) birthday falls in the winter, which would have made it a lot less nice to celebrate.
The first time I celebrated Queen's Day in Amsterdam was in 2004. What a shock! What a great, overwhelming shock! People everywhere; streets were packed, so packed that you could hardly make your way from one point to the other; music, beer, laughter, etc... And orange everywhere!! Wherever I looked, I just saw orange. Even the canals were orange! Filled with boats of all sizes. So full you could literally walk over the water, from one side to the other, from one boat to the other.
Since Queen Beatrix's abdication in 2013, Queen's Day has become King's Day, celebrating the new King's (Willem-Alexander) birthday. King's Day is now held on April 27.
This year, for personal reasons, no big party for me on King's Day. But still, I couldn't just stay at home, even if the weather was cold and rainy. I still put some orange on and went for a beer or two... or three... or four... or...
But King's Day is not only fun for adults. It's also kids' favorite celebration (next to Sinterklaas of course!). Kids reserve spots on the streets or in the parks to sell their stuff and/or perform, and that way make some money. What about giving a little girl €0,50 to get a compliment? Or listen to young talented musicians? Fun guaranted!!
This is a celebration you have to experience at least once in your life!
My advice: start your day in the Vondelpark where kids sell and perform, walk along the canals and enjoy all the fun you can. And don't forget to wear orange!
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