King’s Night Amsterdam is the city’s wildest evening of the year. The biggest party doesn’t start on King’s Day — it starts the night before. King’s Night — Koningsnacht — is when the city flips the switch from regular Sunday evening to full-blown orange madness. On April 26th 2026, every club, bar, and public square in Amsterdam will be packed with people warming up for King’s Day. Here’s your guide to making the most of it.

King’s Night Amsterdam (Koningsnacht) is the unofficial kickoff to King’s Day celebrations. While King’s Day itself is about flea markets, orange outfits, and daytime festivities, King’s Night is about nightlife. Clubs host their biggest events of the year. Outdoor stages pop up in parks and squares. Bars throw themed parties. And the streets start filling up with people who just can’t wait until morning.

King’s Night Amsterdam isn’t an official holiday — but since King’s Day is, nobody has to work the next morning. That means people go all out.

The celebration has grown massively over the past decade. What started as a few bars staying open late has become a city-wide festival drawing over 300,000 people. From underground techno in converted warehouses to folk sing-alongs in canal-side pubs, King’s Night Amsterdam offers something for everyone. The atmosphere is different from King’s Day — less family-friendly, more spontaneous, and charged with the anticipation of what’s coming the next morning.

King’s Night Amsterdam 2026 falls on Sunday April 26th. Since King’s Day on Monday the 27th is a national holiday, the entire city has a free pass to stay out late. Expect most venues to stay open until at least 4 AM, with some warehouse parties in Amsterdam Noord running straight through until King’s Day morning. Whether you’re into electronic music, live bands, hip-hop, or traditional Dutch volksmuziek, you’ll find your crowd somewhere in the city.

Leidseplein
The classic King’s Night Amsterdam hotspot goes into overdrive. The square and surrounding streets fill with outdoor bars, live music, and thousands of people. Clubs like Paradiso and Melkweg host special King’s Night events that regularly sell out weeks in advance.

Rembrandtplein
More mainstream than Leidseplein, but equally packed. The bars and clubs here cater to a younger, international crowd. Expect big sound systems, lots of orange, and a party that spills from the terraces into the streets.

NDSM Wharf (Amsterdam Noord)
For something different. The old shipyard across the IJ river hosts massive warehouse parties and outdoor festivals. The free ferry from Central Station runs late on King’s Night, making it easy to get there. Industrial setting, underground vibe, serious sound systems.

Jordaan
A completely different King’s Night Amsterdam experience. The Jordaan’s narrow streets fill with traditional Dutch music, sing-alongs, and cosy bar terraces. If big clubs aren’t your thing, this is where you’ll find the authentic, local side of King’s Night — accordion music, arm-in-arm singing, and cold beers with strangers who’ll feel like old friends by midnight.

A’DAM Toren
The rooftop bar at A’DAM Lookout offers panoramic views of the city below. During King’s Night Amsterdam, watching the city light up in orange from 20 floors up is something special. Book ahead — this one fills up fast.

Vondelpark
Amsterdam’s most famous park transforms during King’s Night Amsterdam. Musicians set up impromptu stages, groups gather with speakers and drinks, and the whole park becomes one sprawling open-air party. It’s more relaxed than the club scene — perfect if you want to ease into the celebrations with friends before heading to the city centre later. The park officially closes at midnight, but the surrounding streets keep going.

De Pijp
The neighbourhood around Albert Cuyp market becomes a King’s Night Amsterdam destination in its own right. The bars on Gerard Doustraat and surrounding streets fill up early, with a mix of locals and tourists creating a buzzing atmosphere. Less hectic than Leidseplein, more authentic than Rembrandtplein — De Pijp hits the sweet spot for people who want to celebrate without the crush.

• Buy club tickets early. The big King’s Night events at venues like Paradiso, Melkweg, and Shelter sell out weeks in advance. Check their websites in March.
• Plan your transport home. The metro stops around midnight (or runs limited night service). Trams stop earlier. Taxis are nearly impossible to find. Plan to walk, cycle, or use the free ferry to Noord. Or simply party until the first tram starts running at 6 AM.
• Pace yourself. King’s Night leads directly into King’s Day. If you go too hard on Saturday night, you’ll miss the best part of Sunday. Many locals start King’s Night Amsterdam around 10 PM, head home by 2 AM, and then get up early for the vrijmarkt.
• Dress orange (or at least bring an accessory). King’s Night is when the orange outfits come out for the first time. A pair of fun sunglasses is the easiest way to join in — plus they look great in nightlife photos. Check our King’s Day outfit guide for inspiration.
• Bring cash and a charged phone. Some venues are cash-only. Your phone battery will drain fast between photos, maps, and messaging friends in the crowd.

Starting your King’s Night Amsterdam adventure in the city centre? Swing by one of our stores before the party kicks off. Grab a pair of statement sunglasses for the night — from bold oversized frames to fun retro shapes. All €12, all with 100% UV protection (handy when the sun comes back the next morning).

Not sure what style to go for? Our staff can help you pick the right pair for your King’s Night Amsterdam look. Going for full orange? Try our oversized orange frames. Prefer something more subtle? A retro aviator or round frame adds just enough personality without going full carnival. Either way, you’ll stand out in every photo — and your eyes will thank you when the sunrise hits at 6 AM on King’s Day morning.

• Haarlemmerstraat 72 — On the way from Central Station to the Jordaan nightlife
• Berenstraat 41 — In the 9 Streets, near Leidseplein
• Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 304 — Central, between Dam Square and Leidseplein
• Molsteeg 1 — Hidden gem, right in the centre