Thomas Lucas The lively Dutch King’s Day, also known as Koningsdag in Dutch, is a vibrant celebration that takes place on April 27th every year in the Netherlands. This colourful event is a great opportunity to get a feel of the local traditions and customs, including colourful parades, flea markets and more!
If you’re looking to experience the spirit of Dutch culture and celebrate King’s Day, then visiting Amsterdam by ferry should be at the top of your list. P&O Ferries offers various routes and mini cruises to get to the Netherlands, making it easy to kick-start your King’s Day 2023 festivities.
So, let’s explore how different Dutch cities showcase their King’s Day celebrations!
Amsterdam
Amsterdam King’s Day parade will not disappoint. The bustling city of Amsterdam is the perfect place to celebrate King’s Day in 2023 with its many parties, street celebrations, and music events.
Vondelpark is a must-see location for King’s Day celebrations, with plenty of street performers, musicians, and vendors offering entertainment. It’s a great place to relax, socialise, and soak up the festive atmosphere whilst getting a taste of Dutch culture.
The iconic neighbourhood of Jordaan is another location not to be missed on King’s Day. With its charming canals, traditional Dutch architecture, trendy cafes, and boutique shops – you’ll find activities to suit all ages. Keep your ears peeled for traditional folk singers, you’ll find many performing famous national songs to commemorate King’s Day.
Museumplein is another lively area where visitors can enjoy fun activities with locals and tourists. The open square comes alive with tasty food trucks, live music, and people selling traditional Dutch souveniers.
Rotterdam
Bustling Rotterdam offers plenty of activities to celebrate King’s Day. One of the must-visit locations is the lovely Witte de Withstraat, a trendy street in the city centre that comes alive with great music and delicious food and drinks during the national holiday.
Why not pay a visit to Vroesenpark, a large park in the north of the city that hosts unique live music performances and a flea market during King’s Day?
Rotterdam also plans to host a ‘Royal walk’ on King’s day 2023. Hosted to celebrate the birthday of King Willem-Alexander, the walk will be a kilometre-long tour from the Afrikaanderwijk, across the Nieuwe Maas River, to the Binerotte in the city centre. This King’s Day Parade aims to capture Rotterdam’s most versatile side.
Other things to do in Rotterdam include visiting the famous Markthal. This indoor food market offers a variety of international and local cuisines. Alternatively, stroll along the iconic Erasmus Bridge, which offers stunning views of the city skyline. For art lovers, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is a must-visit, with its impressive collection of contemporary and classical art.
With its many attractions and festive atmosphere, celebrating King’s Day in Rotterdam will surely bring a lot of joy to any tourist!
The Hague
Looking for an impressive King’s Day experience? Look no further than The Hague! One of the must-visit locations in this vibrant city is the Lange Voorhout. This picturesque, tree-lined avenue is transformed into a bustling street market where visitors can indulge in traditional Dutch cuisine and entertainment.
Another popular destination for King’s Day celebrations in The Hague is the Malieveld, a large open field that hosts live music performances, sports activities, and children’s games. The field is also home to a large market where visitors can find authentic and unique Dutch gifts.
If you’re looking for things to do in The Hague, you can visit iconic attractions such as the Peace Palace and Mauritshuis museum or enjoy a hearty shopping spree in the Noordeinde Palace district.
Utrecht
Utrecht is another great city in the Netherlands that offers a unique King’s Day experience. On this day, the city is decorated in orange and filled with celebrations, music, food, and markets.
You can join the many locals in the streets and canals to participate in the festivities. One of the main locations to visit during King’s Day in Utrecht is the Domplein, the city’s central square. Here, you’ll see the traditional “vrijmarkt,” a huge city-wide flea market where anyone can sell their goods.
Utrecht also hosts friendly ‘Internationals meetups’ and will be hosting one, especially for King’s Day 2023, where you can meet other travellers to enjoy all the King’s Day festivities!
Other things to do in Utrecht include visiting The Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands and offering a stunning view of the city during all the wonderful King’s Day celebrations.
Groningen
Groningen is another dynamic city you’ll find covered in orange decorations on King’s Day! During Groningen King’s Day, you’ll get to enjoy a bustling market with live music, food and street vendors selling everything from clothing to souvenirs!
The most popular location during King’s Day in Groningen is the Vismarkt, the city’s central square. Visitors can enjoy live music performances while tasting the local Dutch delicacies, such as stroopwafels and bitterballen.
For an even more unforgettable experience, don’t miss the ‘Kingsland’ live concert in Standpark, featuring a talented line-up of musicians and performers. From traditional treats to cutting-edge entertainment, Groningen offers something for everyone on King’s Day.
