King's Day

What Is King’s Day?

King’s Day (Koningsdag in Dutch) is the national holiday of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, commemorating the birthday of the reigning monarch. It is a vibrant public holiday marked by widespread celebrations, street parties, and flea markets across the Netherlands and its constituent countries in the Caribbean. The holiday is predominantly characterised by the colour orange, reflecting the House of Orange-Nassau, the Dutch royal family.

Observed annually on 27 April, King’s Day is a day for national unity and festivity. It is one of the most significant cultural events in the Netherlands, drawing large crowds to cities for open-air concerts, traditional games, and informal selling of goods. The holiday’s emphasis on communal participation distinguishes it from many other national observances.

History and Origins of King’s Day

The origins of King’s Day can be traced back to 1885 when the first Princess’s Day (Prinsessedag) was celebrated on 31 August in honour of Princess Wilhelmina’s fifth birthday. The aim was to promote national unity and patriotism. Upon Wilhelmina’s ascension to the throne in 1890, the holiday officially became Queen’s Day (Koninginnedag) and continued to be celebrated on her birthday, 31 August.

When Queen Juliana, Wilhelmina’s daughter, ascended the throne in 1948, the date of Queen’s Day shifted to her birthday, 30 April. This date was maintained by her successor, Queen Beatrix, even though her own birthday was in January. Beatrix opted to keep 30 April partly out of respect for her mother and partly due to the more favourable spring weather for outdoor festivities. Under Queen Beatrix, the tradition of the monarch visiting one or two municipalities each year became established, allowing the royal family to engage directly with the public.

With the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the ascension of her son, Willem-Alexander, on 30 April 2013, the holiday transitioned to King’s Day. The date was subsequently moved to his birthday, 27 April, with the first King’s Day celebrated on 26 April 2014, as 27 April that year fell on a Sunday. This change marked a new era for the national celebration, while retaining many of its core traditions.

How King’s Day Is Celebrated

King’s Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the Netherlands and its Caribbean territories, including Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. The dominant theme is the colour orange, with people donning orange clothing, wigs, and accessories, and cities being decorated with orange flags, banners, and balloons.

Celebrations in the Netherlands

The most prominent feature of King’s Day in the Netherlands is the “vrijmarkt” (free market), where citizens are permitted to sell items in public spaces without requiring a permit or paying tax. This tradition transforms streets and parks into vast flea markets, particularly popular with children who set up stalls to sell toys and homemade goods. Cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague become hubs of activity, with numerous street parties, live music performances, and outdoor disc jockeys. Many canal boats are decorated with orange streamers and crowded with revellers. Traditional Dutch games, such as “koekhappen” (biting off gingerbread from a string) and “spijkerpoepen” (dropping a nail into a bottle while blindfolded), are also popular, particularly for children. Fairgrounds and carnival rides are often set up in town squares.

The King and his family undertake a televised visit to one or two municipalities each year. During these visits, the royal family participates in local activities, watches cultural performances, and greets members of the public. This royal visit is a focal point of the day’s television coverage and a significant honour for the host city.

Celebrations in Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten

In the Caribbean constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands – Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten – King’s Day is also a recognised public holiday and is celebrated with similar national pride. Festivities typically include public gatherings, parades, and cultural events. While the scale of the celebrations may differ from those in the European Netherlands, the core elements of wearing orange, enjoying music, and engaging in community activities remain consistent. Government offices and many businesses close for the day, allowing residents to partake in the holiday’s festive atmosphere.

When Is King’s Day?

King’s Day is observed annually on 27 April. This date corresponds to the birthday of the current monarch, King Willem-Alexander.

A specific rule applies to the date: if 27 April falls on a Sunday, King’s Day is moved to the preceding Saturday, 26 April. This adjustment ensures that the national celebration does not interfere with the traditional day of rest and religious observances for many people. The holiday is based on the Gregorian calendar system.

King’s Day Key Facts