Each year on April 27, people across the Netherlands celebrate King’s Day, or Koningsdag, the national holiday honoring King Willem-Alexander's birthday. Cities, towns, and neighborhoods across the country turn into lively outdoor celebrations filled with music, street performances, markets, and community events.
One of the day’s most beloved traditions is the vrijmarkt, or “free market,” when anyone can sell secondhand items, homemade food, or crafts in public spaces. Streets, parks, and canalsides become open-air flea markets where visitors can browse, shop, and connect with locals.
Orange is the color of the day, and many people dress head to toe in the national color. In cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague, public squares host concerts, DJs, and festivities that continue throughout the day and often into the evening.
King’s Day is celebrated every year on April 27, unless the date falls on a Sunday, in which case festivities take place the day before. Most events are free and open to the public. Major Dutch cities are easy to reach by train, though public transportation can be especially busy during the celebrations.