27th of april, King’s Day in the Netherlands is not just another holiday—it’s a spectacle, a full-on celebration where the Dutch go wild in a sea of orange! And it’s not just us, the regular folk, getting in on the action. Our royal family joins the festivities too, with a whole day packed with activities that, frankly, we all love to watch and admire. If you’re lucky enough to experience this iconic day in Amsterdam (or anywhere else in the Netherlands), you’ll quickly see why it’s such a big deal.

Pre-King’s Day Party: The Real Night Begins! 🍻

For most Dutch people, the party doesn’t start at 6 AM. Oh no, it starts the night before, when we throw huge and epic parties and dance till dawn. Every city comes alive with music, laughter, and people in all shades of orange and gold. But here’s the thing: we’re not just gearing up for King’s Day—we’re pre-gaming for it! That means when the sun rises on King’s Day, we’re stumbling out of our beds (or from the nearest bar or party) with a hangover, but we don’t care. We’re all in it for the vibes, and the party continues all day long.

The Royal Show: We Watch, You Do! 👑

The Royal Family kicks off the day with some seriously impressive appearances. The King, Queen, and the rest of the royal crew are basically on a non-stop whirlwind tour across a chosen city. They take the tour, wave at the crowds, take selfies with us common folks and engage in all kinds of exciting activities, shows and games. We, the Dutch citizens, line the streets cheering them on from the sidelines like we’re watching a live performance. It’s not about us getting involved (we don’t need to be on the stage), it’s about the thrill of seeing our royals up close doing their thing. We’ve been doing this royal spectacle since the 1800s, and it’s just as thrilling today as it was then.

Tourists in Orange: One Day, One Dress Code, Wrong Day! 🧡

Now, every year, we get tourists who still haven’t quite caught on to the fact that King’s Day is, well, King’s Day. You see, before King Willem-Alexander took the throne, we celebrated Queen’s Day on April 30th, when Queen Beatrix was still queen. And let’s be real, every year, there’s a handful of people who still show up on April 30th—totally decked out in orange—confused about what’s NOT going on. They stand there, looking totally lost, wondering why nobody’s partying. We just smile, nod, and tell them, “You’re a couple of days late, but nice outfit!”. So if you want to experience this truly magical day with the Dutchies- CHECK THE DATE!!! 

The Dutch Spirit: We’re Orange, We’re One 🧡

There’s something truly magical about the sense of unity on King’s Day. Despite the chaos, the hungover faces, and the confused tourists, there’s always a moment when we all just feel connected. The streets are packed with orange, music blasting from every corner, and smiles everywhere. For a day, we put aside all our worries and focus on one thing: our love for the King, and the absolute joy that comes with this beautiful tradition. It’s been this way for decades, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

So, if you ever find yourself in the Netherlands for King’s Day, make sure you’re well-prepared: an orange outfit, a whole lot of energy for the night before, and of course, a hefty hangover for the morning. But don’t worry, the laughter, the parties, and the orange fever will make it all worth it. Want to experience the true and somewhat calmer spirit of the Netherlands? Join us on a food tour and taste the real flavors of Dutch culture—without the hangover!