Enjoy Queen’s Day in Amsterdam
Every year on April 30, the Dutch dress in orange and populate the streets to celebrate Queen’s Day. All over the country the streets are filled with parties and markets in honor of the Queen’s Birthday. Since the Royal Family name is Oranje, which means Orange, this color is visible on everything and everyone.
Queen Beatrix’s birthday is actually on January 31st, she celebrates it on April 30th, the date of her mother’s (Queen Juliana’s) birthday because the chances are better for good weather.
On Queen’s Day the streets are turned into a big free market. Everyone sells things on the streets. The children in particular enjoy it: the day before, they mark the place in front of their house with they word ‘bezet’ (occupied). This way, they save a space to sell some cakes or orange juice or a small musical performance. They are also fun to haggle with. In fact, Vondelpark, the largest park in Amsterdam, is typically dedicated to children.
But the party starts even the day before, on Queen’s Night! Everybody drinks partying in the streets, and the bars are flooded and have to sell the beers out their windows. In the main squares of the city, Dam Square, Museumplein, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein, there are stages with different kinds of performances, from traditional folk music to dj’s dance. Usually the final show of the day takes place in Museumplein, around 9pm.
Also the canals are packed with boats, it is almost possible to walk across them by jumping from boat to boat! It is a unique experience to spend Queen’s day on a boat, but it is even better to book very much in advance party boats for groups.
To be in Holland on Queen’s day is a great experience, but remember that on that day the typical tourist sites and the museums are closed. It is a good idea to book your flight in advance and spend some days as a ‘’normal’’ tourist, because on Queen’s day you will feel like a real Dutch person, dressing in orange and partying. And don’t worry if you don’t have any orange clothes because the street vendors will provide you with all sorts of funny t-shirts, hats and much more. So, grab a beer, your camera, and wander around the streets freely in the ocean of orange madness!
Photo by joiseyshowaa
About the Author
Andrea Guerriero Hi, I'm Andrea, a travel blogger, web programmer, seo apprentice and amateur photographer based in Milan. I love reading, I love music. I love to travel but only if I leave on a mission! I've been traveling through most of Europe and I love writing about it. I love photography, especially as a way to document experiences, places, events. My Nikon D300 camera is always with me, and it helps me in sharing my life with the rest of the world. Getting in touch with new people, different life styles and foreign traditions, and write about it, is all I can ask for.
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