King’s Day: A Colorful Dutch Tradition

If there’s one day a year when the Netherlands goes all out, it’s Koningsdag (King’s Day). Streets turn into parties, canals fill with boats, and oranjegekte (orange madness) takes over the country.

What is King’s day?

King’s Day is the celebration of the birthday of the Dutch monarch, currently Koning Willem-Alexander. It takes place every year on 27 April (or April 26th when the 27th falls on a Sunday). What started as a tribute to the royal family has evolved into a day-long (and often night-long) celebration of Dutch pride and unity.

10 Dutch Words to Know for King’s Day

Tompoes, a favorite Dutch pastry, normally has pink icing. However, as King’s day approaches, most bakeries create a festive orange version!

1. Koningsdag – King’s Day
   The name of the holiday itself. You'll hear this everywhere in April.

2. Oranje – Orange
   The national color of the Netherlands, in honor of the House of Orange-Nassau. On Koningsdag, everyone wears as much orange as possible—shirts, hats, wigs, sunglasses… even pets join in!

3. Vrijmarkt – Free market
   One of the most beloved King’s Day traditions. The entire country turns into a giant flea market where anyone can set up a blanket or stall to sell second-hand items. Great for bargain-hunters and kids selling toys.

4. Kroon – Crown
   You’ll see this on banners, party hats, and face paint. It’s a nod to royalty and a fun symbol of the day.

5. Feest – Party
   Need we say more? Cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam host massive feesten, with live music, DJs, and dancing in the streets.

6. Koningsnacht – King’s Night
   The party actually starts the night before. Locals take to the bars and streets on Koningsnacht to kick off the celebrations.

7. Tompoes – A Dutch pastry with pink or orange icing
   This sweet treat usually has bright oranje icing on King’s Day. It’s creamy, flaky, and very Dutch.

8. Vlag – Flag
   The Dutch flag (red, white, and blue) flies proudly alongside orange buntings across houses, shops, and bridges.

9. Muziek – Music
   From live bands on barges to DJ sets in city squares, muziek is everywhere.

10. Gezellig – Cozy, fun, together
    The vibe of King’s Day is pure gezelligheid— friends laughing, kids playing, strangers chatting, and everyone enjoying the moment together.

Tips for Enjoying Your First King’s Day

Each year, children around the country look forward to setting up their own stall in the vrije-markt to sell their old treasures (and of course use the money to buy someone else’s!)

1. Dress the part: Go wild with orange! Bonus points for accessories like a kroon or feather boa.

2. Bring cash: Many stalls at the vrijmarkt don’t take cards.

3. Get moving early: The best vrijmarkt spots (and deals) go fast.

4. Join the boat parade: If you’re in a canal city, hop on a boat or just watch the floating feest glide by.

5. Respect the chaos: It’s crowded, it’s noisy, it’s fun—go with the flow.

Here’s to a Fijne Koningsdag!

Whether you’re sipping beer on a boat, treasure-hunting at the vrijmarkt, or dancing in the street in the crowded city center, Koningsdag is a uniquely Dutch celebration. It’s loud, joyful, and full of cultural flavor— the perfect day to soak up some national pride and maybe pick up a few new Dutch words along the way.