Celebrating Koningsdag in Amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

Holland celebrated their King’s birthday (Willem-Alexander) for the 3rd year in a row. This fun event is known as “Koningsdag” or “King’s Day” and is held on April 27, a national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. There’s not a better way to experience the rich history and cultural customs of the Dutch than celebrating Koningsdag in Amsterdam!

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

Celebrating Koningsdag in Amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdamTwo of the Netherland’s largest brands, KLM and Heineken, joined forces to celebrate this special occasion in variety of ways including bringing a lavishly decorated bright orange boat to the canals of Amsterdam. In addition, both companies creatively surprised four KLM customers from around the world. These are individuals who share the same birthday as the Dutch Monarch. KLM gifted round-trip tickets to Amsterdam and provided accommodation during their stay here.

The memories from this once in a lifetime opportunity will surely never be forgotten by these individuals.

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

Some Dutch Royal History

Although Koningsdag is relatively new (only 3 years young), this celebration originally began on August 31, 1885 as “Prinsessedag” or “Princess Day”, the 5th birthday of Princess Wilhelmina, heir to the Dutch throne. On her accession to Queen five years later in 1890, the holiday became “Koninginnedag” and the date changed to her birthday, August 31, 1891, which was celebrated for close to 60 years. The date of the holiday was changed when her daughter Juliana became Queen, on her birthday on April 30, 1949.

When Queen Juliana’s daughter Beatrix ascended the throne in 1980, she kept April 30 as Queen’s day (although her birthday was on January 31). Tradition followed accordingly with the succession of each Dutch Royal offspring’s birthday. However, in 2013, Queen Beatrix abdicated and King Willem-Alexander succeeded his mother; the date was then changed to his actual birthday on April 27 – the first king since the observance of this national holiday, now “Koningsdag“!

Cities the King visited Koningsdag from 2013-now

On each Koningsdag, King Willem-Alexander visits a different town in Holland, although has not visited Amsterdam yet. Showing love to smaller cities.

  • 2014: De Rijp and Amstelveen.
  • 2015: Dordrecht.
  • 2016: Zwolle.
celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam
King Willem-Alexander of Holland. (Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia)
celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam
“Tulipa” is Holland’s national flower

Flea Markets & Restaurant/Bars Open during Koningsdag

Most businesses are closed for this national holiday. But restaurants, bars and various shops earn some of their biggest sales of the year on this single day. Individuals and families gather on the streets and set up flea markets or ‘free markets’ as the locals call it, “vrijmarkt”, to sell clothing and used goods they no longer need. This is the one day that the Dutch government allows sales on streets without levying value added taxes.

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam
celebrating koningsdag in amsterdamcelebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

The most popular place to shop in Amsterdam is in the Jordaan quarter, but increasing in popularity is the Apollolaan in front of the Hilton hotel or Vondelpark in southern Amsterdam. In Utrecht, you can find an overnight flea market.

Most people wear orange colored clothing (the king’s favorite color). The orange color is also a representation of the House of Orange-Nassau which rules over the Netherlands. People drink beers and cocktails on the streets and celebrate. Concerts, performances, DJs & Festivals can be found virtually around any corner and in private venues. An outdoor concert is held on Amsterdam’s Museumplein, where as many as 800,000 people may gather.

Visitors Come from Around the World for Koningsdag!

At night, access to bars and clubs are endless, especially in the well-known Red Light District of Amsterdam. The city of Amsterdam has a population of approximately 750,000 residents. During the week of Koningsdag though, close to 1 million visitors arrive from around the world. As one would expect, the city is infused with additional energy.

“New friendships will be formed and a strong sense of community is an integral part of the event. For me that’s really what Queen’s Day is all about. It’s not an outburst of patriotism, it’s not even about the popularity of the royal family. It’s about a sense of belonging. For one day, everybody is the same in Holland. Bright orange and barmy.”
-One committee member said about Koninginnedag several years ago.

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam


 

“The Orange Experience” hosted by KLM

What made my first experience celebrating Koningsdag even more special is the group I celebrated with. KLM posted a contest online months before the event. Customers around the world had the opportunity to upload videos introducing their significant other or friend who’s birthday shares the same day as the King’s (April 27) and explain why they deserved to win the trip. Four very lucky guests were chosen from Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, London and San Francisco to celebrate. These individuals were surprised in unique ways in their own home or at their job weeks before by a KLM staff with a letter explaining this amazing trip.

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However, very few details were revealed about their participation in King’s Day other than that they had a trip to Amsterdam coming up. So as you can imagine, their anticipation and excitement was strong. This was the first time abroad for the San Francisco couple.


Koningsdag: A Holiday for All Ages

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam
Traditional family-fun games played during Koningsdag

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

Children celebrate with a variety of games including ‘Koekhappen, in which they attempt to catch spice cakes dangling from a string in their mouths.

Spijker Poepen is another game where a string is tied around their waist with a nail dangling at one end. Then they attempt to lower the nail into a glass bottle.

Potato Sack races are also common – these are all favorite activities for locals and international visitors.

Non-Stop Partying on the Streets of Amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

By noon, we headed to Amsterdam for a brief lunch, roamed the streets for an hour and then boarded Heineken’s “Orange Experience” boat for the main celebration.

 celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam IMG_7736 celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam


Boating Down the Amsterdam Canals

Many of the best DJ’s in the world come from the Netherlands, and it is no surprise that many private boats along the canals had their own DJ’s. A gorgeous young lady played the turntables on our boat and we all enjoyed a seemingly unlimited supply of Heineken as we drifted along the canal.

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

 

Heads turned as our Heineken boat passed by, with confetti and orange powder filling the air in our wake. The streets were crowded with boys and girls, men and women, transgender, tourists, in all costumes, of all ages, shapes and sizes dressed in various shades of orange complete with a wild collection of orange accessories. What a ride!

 

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

The energy of Koningsdag resembles St. Patty’s day in the US on steroids. It was magnetic to see a nation so strong. Citizens who are proud of their King and excited to come out in such large numbers to celebrate this special day.

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

Near the end of our canal ride, our Heineken host pointed the partiers on boat to look one direction. Soon, we would see large portraits of the four birthday guests hanging from the top of nearby buildings!

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

Creativity and hospitality at it’s best!

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam


Koningsdag Afterparty at the A’DAM TOWER

If you know anything about Amsterdam, it’s that the party never stops.

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

As we reached the end of the canal in the late afternoon next to the famous “I AMsterdam” sign, a helicopter circled above us.

It would be a hint that somebody important was about to grace us with their presence.

Hmm.. who could it possibly be!?
celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

We anchored the boat and entered the A’DAM Tower (which stands for ‘Amsterdam Dance and Music’), a 22 story tower still under construction; very soon to be one of Amsterdam’s hippest buildings with bars, restaurants and music companies inside complete with a 360° view from the observation deck.

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam
Martin Garrix arriving via Helicopter to DJ at a Koningsdag Party in Amsterdam

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No.. it’s Martin Garrix!

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdamWe rode the elevator up. Upon exit, the world famous Dutch DJ Martin Garrix was spinning his latest beats. He had just flown in minutes prior on a helicopter. Several dozen other people celebrating their  birthdays were present, who were also invited by KLM. We danced and jumped, all the while overlooking the free-spirited city of Amsterdam.

 

 


San Francisco Couple Star on National Dutch Television

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

To conclude King’s day in ultimate class and style, Holland’s equivalent to the Oprah show, “RTL Late Night” invited the San Francisco couple Ace Ikharo (birthday boy) and Maya Brown to discuss their special experience live on TV! You can watch it here or view directly below:


Koningsdag has become a celebration not only in the Netherlands, but also celebrated internationally. This cultural event is an excuse to party all day and for some, all week long. For visitors, it is an especially good time to travel to Holland.

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam

How to Get to Amsterdam & Where to Stay

KLM has direct flights from most major cities in the United States and around the world. They are ranked among the top three airlines in the world for best service and safety.

Stay near the Centraal Station, just 20 minutes train ride from Schiphol Airport, near all the action; you will be able easily join the party (by foot or bicycle). Doubletree Hilton is smart choice for accommodation as it is directly next to the Centraal Station, and is the home to the famous Sky Lounge, a rooftop lounge with an outdoor deck overlooking all of Amsterdam’s historic centre, bustling port and beyond.

celebrating koningsdag in amsterdam


Watch the “Orange Experience” in Video

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