On 27 April every year we celebrate the birthday of the King of The Netherlands. Nationwide people dress up on orange, the royal colour of Holland, and you'll see a lot of Dutch flags hanging from the houses. There are flea markets in every city where people sell second hand items from their homes.
Another big thing on King's Day is music festivals. Loads of big artists play here to celebrate the orange day, and sometimes entry is even free! The biggest event of the day is the royal visit, where the king brings his family to a different city every year. Curious where you need to go on King's Day? We'll tell you this and more!
1. Royal visit in Emmen
Last year, Rotterdam was in the spotlight when the royal family visited here during King's Day. This year, King Willem Alexander will take his family to Emmen to celebrate his birthday. On 27 April 2024, this city in Drenthe will be coloured red, white blue and orange!
I hear you ask: What's the theme this year? As every year, there's a theme attached to the celebration of King's Day. This year, we have chosen: Pride, Space and Energy. According to the Municipality of Emmen, themes that are "locked in the hearts of Emmen residents". Hence the King's Day logo, which is made up of three hearts that together form a butterfly. Truly a celebration 'from the heart' for our king.
2. King's Day in Amsterdam
There's something for everyone on King's Day 2024 in Amsterdam. Like every year, the city is buzzing with King's Day activities; from colourful King's Day markets to hip festivals.
๐๏ธ Want to be the first at the free markets or party till the wee hours? Then book an overnight stay at one of our hostels in Amsterdam! Will you go for Amsterdam Vondelpark or Amsterdam Oost?
King's Day markets in Amsterdam
Popular King's Day market locations are Museumplein and Rembrandtplein. But be sure to put the Jordaan and Oud-Zuid on your list as well. Here you can find the best stuff for a bargain price as early as 9.00 am. From 12.00 the open-air stages and catering stalls are allowed to open, so if you want to avoid the crowds it's best to browse early. For the best second-hand stuff, head to Beethovenstraat and Rivierenbuurt. These King's Day markets are known for their high-quality second-hand stuff. From designer items to unique home decor.
For the most fun children's King's Day market, head to the popular Vondelpark, with lots of little rugs where children sell their toys or homemade stuff. There's also Amsterdam's biggest children's King's Day market at the NDSM terrain: Vrijhaven. A super creative and lively place, which also hosts many musical performances.
King's Day festivals in Amsterdam
The biggest Kings Day festivals in Amsterdam this year are Kingsland, Loveland and Oranjebloesem.
Loveland van Oranje 2024 is in Amsterdam's beautiful Meerpark this year. So with good weather, you can also chill out here in between the party madness. This year's line-up is spectacular! Think of artists like Reinier Zonneveld, Kรถlsch, Pan-Pot, Colyn and Innellea. Here you're guaranteed to experience a well-filled King's Day!
Other big names in the techno scene can be found at Oranjebloesem. The royal line-up includes names such as: Amelie Lens, DYEN, Joris Voorn and Nico Moreno. This year's "Orange Blossom" takes place in Amsterdam's iconic Olympic Stadium, with plenty of room to dance all day with all your friends!
Kingsland 2024: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Groningen
Once again, Kings Day will be celebrated in a big way this year with Kingsland. At no fewer than 3 locations across the country, an impressive line-up is waiting for you. From Groningen to Rotterdam and Amsterdam, you can party to the music of famous Dutchies like Martin Garrix, Antoon, Nicky Romero, Bizzey and Kriss Kross Amsterdam. Well-known SLAM! DJ and Tiktok legend Bram Krikke will also be present.
And I hear you thinking, how do all these artists get from one side of the country to the other? They're flown up and down by helicopters! A unique event on the royal birthday.
๐๏ธ Not ready to go home yet? Then stay a night in the famous cube houses!
3. King's Day in The Hague
The vibrant city of The Hague will turn bright orange on Koningsdag 2024! It's true Hague tradition to celebrate the king's birthday the evening and night before. This year too, a festive music programme is waiting for you!
King's Day markets in The Hague
Bargain hunters and market lovers can indulge themselves in The Hague. Scattered throughout the city, several cosy King's Day markets are springing up. Tour the stalls on the Boekhorststraat, Denneweg, Lange Beestenmarkt and Hamerstraat. You can expect lots of goodies, beautiful crafts and all sorts of curiosities here.
Out and about with the kids? The Hague is the place to be! Because from 5 - 27 April 2024, the Malieveld will be transformed into a big King's Fair! With attractions for young and old and affordable. You can also find a fun fair at the Frederik Hendrikplein. This will run from 19 April to 5 May. Family-friendly and there's something for everyone!
King's Night in The Hague
On the evening and night before King's Day, The Hague traditionally organises The Life I Live Koningsnacht festival. Named after the famous hit by The Hague pop group Q65. It promises to be a spectacular evening/night with over 40 acts and a great diversity of music styles! A super-enjoyable music party in the heart of The Hague that is not to be missed. And the best news: admission is free!
Looking for a cool festival on King's Day? Then bring your friends along to NMNH Kingsday! Here you can celebrate the King's birthday together with 10,000 ravers. At a unique location in the beautiful Zuiderpark in the centre of The Hague. Get ready for a strong line-up including: Aligment, Cera Khin, Cynthia Spiering and DIรN. One thing is for sure, the King's birthday will be properly celebrated here!
๐๏ธ Want to celebrate King's Night and King's Day in The Hague? Then spend the night in our city hostel in The Hague!
4. King's Day in Eindhoven
Celebrate King's Day 2024 in lively Eindhoven. Here, they do know how to throw a party. Everyone is invited to join this orange party on 27 April.
King's day markets in Eindhoven
20 kilos of confetti, 65+ artists and 1500 metres of dance floor: according to Eindhoven = King, this will be the biggest Kings Day event of 2024. From food to family and live entertainment, something fun has been arranged for everyone. The little ones are also taken care of, so there's plenty to do for children! From fun DJs to dance groups and face painters. Put it in your agenda, because this is 100% going to be a fun day!
Other Eindhoven King's Day markets not to be missed are at Burghplein, Kruisstraat and Woenselse Markt. The biggest King's Day market can be found in the Stadwandelpark. Here, hundreds of stalls are set up for you to score the best stuff.
King's Day festivals in Eindhoven
Celebrate King's Day and King's Night in Eindhoven at Royal Dutch. On 26 and 27 April, Stadhuisplein will once again be packed with orange revellers. And the best thing is; entrance is free! Go wild to the music of artists such as Stuk, Sam Hofman, Viktor and Loud & Fout.
Are you more into hardstyle, uptempo or hardcore? Never fear! Eindhoven is the place to be. Supersized Kingsday Festival 2024 promises to be another banging party this year! To be found on the grounds of Aquabest are no less than 7 arenas with hardstyle music. Chop away with artists such as Act of Rage, Gridkiller, Barber and Artifact.
๐๏ธ Don't want to miss anything of Kings night and Kings day in Eindhoven? Then stay at our new hostel in Eindhoven in the hip Strijp S area!
5. King's Day Utrecht
Celebrating Koningsdag 2024 in Utrecht? Get ready for an unforgettable day! The streets bustle with colourful stalls, lively crowds and a festive atmosphere. But Utrecht is also the place to be for Koningsnacht.
King's Day markets in Utrecht
In Utrecht, a large part of the city centre will be open for King's Day markets during King's Day. The nicest King's Day markets spread through the Voorstraat, Witte Vrouwen, Bemuurde Weerd Oostzijde and Westzijde. Every year, it's a cosy affair! Are you an avid stall tracker? Then we have good news! Koningsdag in Utrecht starts as early as 26 April with the evening markets. Here you can score the best bargains from 18.00 onwards. Super atmospheric and it's often not that crowded yet!
Utrecht is certainly an ideal location for families with children on King's Day. There are several cosy children's King's Day markets throughout the city. From Nijntjeplein, to Park Lepelenburg and the Van Ash van Wijckskade. But there's also plenty to do for children outside the city centre. In Vleuten, Vleuterweide, Terwijde, Leidsche Rijn, Oog in Al and Willem de Zwijgerplantsoen, super fun children's King's Day markets are organised.
King's Day events in Utrecht
Dive into Utrecht's King's Night! From electronic music to the best Dutch hits and 80's, 90's and 00's. You'll be swinging on the most beautiful squares in Utrecht on King's Night. From 18.00, open-air stages open on various squares in the city centre and the catering tents open. All party squares have free entrance!
Go wild on Neude with hits from the past with Neude Goes 80's-90's-00's. Or move on to Janskerkhof where live artists will also perform all evening. Want to party under the Dom? Dance the night away to the best techno and house music at Utrecht's most beautiful spot: Domplein!
๐๏ธ Make it a cosy weekend and stay in our city hostel in Utrecht!
Will we see you soon?
Enjoyed King's Day and want to discover more Dutch cities? Get out and discover food, culture, and art with our blog on the 10 best city breaks in the Netherlands!
