Celebrating King’s Day in Amsterdam was such a fun and unforgettable experience. The festivities kicked off on Friday night and lasted all through Saturday, with the entire city turning into a massive party. Everywhere you looked, people were dressed in orange—the national color—and the streets were packed with music, dancing, and endless energy. We spent time walking through Vondelpark and Westerpark, both of which were filled with flea markets where people of all ages set up little stalls selling everything from homemade baked goods to second-hand clothes and trinkets. Kids had their own areas with games and performances, and it felt like the whole city was outside celebrating together. There were food stalls everywhere, and we sampled a bit of everything, from classic Dutch stroopwafels to fresh fries with mayonnaise. King’s Day, or Koningsdag, is a national holiday in the Netherlands that celebrates the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. It used to be Queen’s Day when his mother, Queen Beatrix, was on the throne, but it shifted when he became king in 2013. The tradition actually dates back over a century to the late 1800s when the Dutch began celebrating Princess Wilhelmina’s birthday as a show of national unity. Over time, it evolved into the massive street party it is today. One of the most iconic parts of King’s Day is the vrijmarkt, or free market, where anyone can sell their belongings without needing a permit—hence all the flea markets. It was amazing to be part of the celebration, and it felt like the whole city was just buzzing with happiness and pride. Being able to experience King’s Day firsthand in Amsterdam was definitely one of the most memorable parts of our trip.
