Queen’s Day in Amsterdam

The Netherlands is one of the most fervently royalist countries in the world and this explodes into a festival of orange on Queen’s Day, which takes place on April 30th.

Festivities start on Queen’s Night, the evening of April 29th. People dress in orange to show their national pride, whilst many bars and clubs stay open late to accommodate the revellers. The atmosphere in the city is unique at this time and with a feeling this infectious, it’s impossible not to get caught up in the festivities, but be warned that Amsterdam hotels book up early around this time. It feels as if the whole city has come out to enjoy itself in the spirit of unity, which is one of the key elements of the festivities, and this feeling will be reflected in the welcome you get upon your arrival at your hotel.

The biggest tradition of Queen’s Day is the “freemarket”, which could be described as the world’s biggest jumble sale. Having fun, rather than making money, is the priority as everyone is allowed to sell things openly in the street. This is aided by a legal loophole which states that people don’t need to pay taxes on their sales. And of course, you’ll witness pelnty of bartering - so join in!

Queen’s Day is extremely child-friendly. In fact, many of the events cater for the little ones, particularly the freemarket, where children are encouraged to sell their old toys and clothes. Picking up bargains is a possibility, whilst you could also bring your own stuff to sell. The market also offers a wide range of food cooked freshly in front of you, as well as Holland’s famous beer on tap.

Music is another important aspect of Queen’s Day, with most tastes catered for. Traditional singing and dancing is particularly popular, specifically in the Jordan district, which is one of the busiest in the city. Picking up a beer, losing your inhibitions and trying to sing along to the simple yet poetic songs about the beauty of Amsterdam will quickly put you in the party mood. Meanwhile, if you crave something heavier, the Rock Concert at Museumplein tends to attract the crowds.

The atmosphere on Queen’s Day is convivial, meaning that it is extremely easy to meet the locals. Clubs tend to run events throughout the day whilst improvised parties are common. Joining in is actively encouraged, which means swallowing your pride and dancing on the street with strangers. By the end of the night, they won’t be strangers any more!

As the focus is equally on relaxation as well as celebration, a trip to Amsterdam at this time makes for the ideal May Day break.