Celebrating Kings Day - 27 April

What is Kings Day?

Kings Day is a national holiday in the Netherlands that celebrates the birth of King Willem-Alexander. The day itself is celebrated on April 27th same day as Freedom day in South Africa, but there are many festivities leading up to it and after as well.

The history behind Kings Day goes back all the way to 1885 when Queen Emma was crowned queen of Holland at her husband's funeral. She became known as "Mother of the Nation" due to her charitable work during this time and was eventually given a statue in her honor outside of Amsterdam Central Station by sculptor Jean de Haan (who also created another famous statue: Rembrandt's Night Watch). This statue has become an iconic symbol for Dutch people ever since then!

The date of King's Day varies each year, but it's usually on the 27th of April. The weather can be unpredictable, so make sure you pack a raincoat and umbrella if you're planning on attending one of the festivities!

If you're looking for the best places to celebrate Kings Day, there are several cities and regions that offer unique experiences.

The capital of the Netherlands Amsterdam, is a must-see destination for any traveller who wants to experience Dutch culture first-hand. It's also home to some of Europe's most famous museums, like Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. If you're looking for nightlife, Amsterdam has plenty of options--from bars and clubs to concert halls where you can see live music acts perform their hits live onstage!

The Dutch wear orange clothing to celebrate Kings Day, as it's the national colour of the Netherlands.

If you're looking for live music in Amsterdam during Kings Day weekend, there are plenty of options! There will be concerts at venues like Paradiso and Melkweg (both in Amsterdam) on April 27th and 28th respectively. You can also catch some great acts at festivals like Lowlands Festival or Pinkpop Festival if you prefer larger crowds over smaller ones.

When it comes to food, traditional Dutch snacks such as stroopwafels (caramel waffles), bitterballen (deep-fried meatballs leave these for 2 minutes, as they’re usually piping hot and can easily burn your mouth), kroketten (fried croquettes) are all popular choices for eating on this holiday weekend--but don't forget about pancakes! Pancakes are eaten with syrup or powdered sugar; try them with fruit compote instead if you want something less sweet!

Kings Day is a day of celebration, and there are many ways to participate in the festivities. For something fun and family-friendly, consider attending one of the parades or street parties. You can also enjoy carnival rides at amusement parks like Efteling or go on a canal cruise through Amsterdam's canals.

If you’re thinking of taking a more traditional route, try visiting one of the many museums with free entry on Kings Day (including Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum). Or visit one of Amsterdam's many churches where services are held every year on this holiday! Also, it’s handy got get a museum card for free entrance throughout the year.

The best way to get around on Kings Day is by public transport. The Netherlands has an excellent network of trains, buses, and trams, which will take you from one end of the country to another at no cost. If you're planning on staying in Amsterdam for the day (and why wouldn't you?), then hop onto a train at Central Station or Schiphol Airport and head straight over to the city center--you'll be there in just 15 minutes!

If public transportation isn't your thing or if it's too crowded during peak hours (which can happen), then taxis are another option that might suit your needs better. Taxis are easy enough to find in most cities across Holland; however, keep in mind that they may be more expensive than usual due to increased demand during this time. If money isn't an issue for you then definitely consider taking a taxi instead because driving around town could get messy with so many people out celebrating!

Kings Day is a fun and festive holiday, but it can also be dangerous if you're not careful. Make sure to stay up to date on the weather forecast before going out and dress appropriately for the weather conditions--it's always better to be overdressed than underdressed!

When visiting Amsterdam or other Dutch cities during Kings Day, keep in mind that many locals will be celebrating with friends and family. If you're invited into someone's home for dinner, it's customary to bring flowers or chocolates as a gift (but don't worry about this if you're just stopping by). If your hosts are serving alcohol at their party don't hesitate to join them; however, remember not everyone drinks alcohol so don't pressure anyone into drinking if they don't want to!

If you're planning on visiting Amsterdam during Kings Day, it's worth considering where you want to stay. The city is known for its accommodation options and the choice can be overwhelming at times. Here are some tips on how to find your perfect place:

As with any big event in Amsterdam, booking ahead of time will give you peace of mind that everything has been taken care of before your trip begins. If possible, try and book as soon as possible so that if anything does go wrong then this won't affect your plans too much!

This may seem obvious but, if possible, try not too far away from where all the action is happening so that getting around isn't too difficult when there are lots of people around!

Kings Day is a fun day, so you're going to want to pack some comfortable clothes. You can wear whatever you like, but it's best to avoid jeans and sneakers as they aren't very festive. If you have any Dutch national dress (such as a tulip-print shirt), this would be a great time for that!

You'll want to bring along things like sunglasses and sunscreen if the weather is nice; otherwise, just make sure that your phone has enough battery power before going out into crowds of people who may not always have chargers available. You should also consider bringing earplugs if there are loud bands playing throughout the day--it's better than having ringing ears afterward!

So, what are you waiting for? It's time to get out there and enjoy yourself! The Dutch love their Kings Day celebrations, and they will be happy to show you how it's done. Whether you want to join in on the fun or just watch from afar, there is something for everyone.

If you're planning a trip to Amsterdam during this time of year, make sure that your itinerary includes some time off from work so that you can take advantage of all that this holiday has to offer!

For more information on what to do during Kings Day this year, head over to the iamexpat site!