Every year on April 27th, Amsterdam transforms into the world’s biggest street party. If you’re searching for a King’s Day Amsterdam guide, you’ve found it. King’s Day — or Koningsdag — celebrates the Dutch King’s birthday, and the entire city turns orange. We’re talking 800,000+ people in the streets, live music everywhere, boat parties on the canals, and a city-wide flea market where anyone can sell anything. If you’re visiting Amsterdam in April, this is the day you don’t want to miss.

King’s Day (Koningsdag) is a national holiday in the Netherlands celebrating the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. King’s Day Amsterdam is the biggest street celebration in the Netherlands. The tradition started as Queen’s Day (Koninginnedag) in 1885, and when Willem-Alexander became king in 2013, the date shifted from April 30th to April 27th — his birthday.

The celebration is simple: the whole country wears orange (the national colour, named after the royal House of Orange-Nassau), takes to the streets, and has an absolute blast. In Amsterdam, this means canal-side DJ sets, the famous vrijmarkt flea market, and more orange outfits than you’ve ever seen in one place. For visitors, King’s Day Amsterdam is a must-experience event.

Monday, April 27, 2026. The party actually kicks off the evening before — King’s Night (Koningsnacht) on Sunday, April 26 — and runs through the entire day on the 27th. Most festivities wind down by late afternoon, though the after-parties can stretch well into the night.

King’s Day isn’t one event — it’s thousands of things happening everywhere at once. Here’s what makes King’s Day Amsterdam so special:

The Vrijmarkt (Free Market)
The entire city becomes one massive flea market. Regular people set up blankets and tables on the streets to sell clothes, vintage finds, homemade food, and pretty much anything you can imagine. No permit needed — that’s the beauty of it. The best spots are in the Jordaan, the 9 Streets, and Vondelpark (which is especially popular for families with kids).

Canal Boat Parties
Amsterdam’s canals become a floating festival. Boats packed with speakers and orange-clad partygoers cruise through the city playing everything from techno to Dutch classics. Bridges become impromptu viewing platforms where crowds dance along. If you can score a spot on a boat, it’s the ultimate King’s Day Amsterdam experience.

Live Music & Street Stages
Free stages pop up across the city. Museumplein hosts the biggest acts, but you’ll find live bands, DJs, and performers on nearly every corner. The Jordaan neighbourhood is famous for traditional Dutch sing-alongs (think: accordion-fuelled, beer-in-hand, arm-in-arm with strangers).

Food & Drinks
Street food is everywhere. Expect oranjetompouce (a classic Dutch pastry dyed orange for the occasion), stroopwafels, herring, and enough beer to fill the canals twice. Many bars and cafés set up outdoor terraces and serve special King’s Day cocktails.

Jordaan & Westerstraat — The heart of the traditional King’s Day. Think: vrijmarkt stalls, live folk music, and a genuine local vibe. Less chaotic than the centre, more charm. Our Haarlemmerstraat store is a short walk from here.

Dam Square & City Centre — The biggest crowds, the loudest music, the most orange. If you want the full sensory overload, this is where you go. Our Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal store is right around the corner.

9 Streets (De Negen Straatjes) — Stylish, boutique-lined streets with a more curated vrijmarkt. Great for vintage finds. Our Berenstraat store sits right in the middle of it.

Vondelpark — The family-friendly zone. Kids sell their old toys and perform music. It’s sweet, wholesome, and a nice contrast to the rest of the city’s chaos.

Museumplein — Big live acts, festival-style production, and a party atmosphere. Further from the canal chaos, but brings its own energy.

While King’s Day Amsterdam officially starts on April 27th, the real party begins the evening before. King’s Night (Koningsnacht) is when clubs throw their biggest events of the year, outdoor stages fire up, and the streets start filling with early celebrations. Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are the classic nightlife spots, but the NDSM Wharf across the IJ river often hosts massive warehouse parties.

Plan your route early — public transport stops running earlier than you think, and taxis become nearly impossible to find. Read our full King’s Night guide for tips on where to go.

Orange. That’s the short answer. The long answer: anything goes, as long as there’s some orange in it. An orange t-shirt, orange accessories, orange face paint — or go full commitment with head-to-toe orange. Nobody will judge you. In fact, the more over-the-top, the better. King’s Day Amsterdam is all about going big.

A pair of orange or statement sunglasses is the easiest way to get into the spirit. You’ll be outside all day, the April sun can be surprisingly strong, and your eyes will thank you after hours of walking through packed streets. Plus, they make for great photos.

Need outfit inspiration? Read our complete King’s Day outfit guide — with practical tips on what to wear and where to grab your accessories in Amsterdam.

• Bring cash. Most vrijmarkt sellers don’t take cards. ATMs will have long queues, so withdraw money the day before.
• Skip public transport. Trams and buses are packed or rerouted. Walk or cycle. If you’re coming from outside the centre, get there early and stay on foot.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll walk 20,000+ steps easily. Cobblestones and crowds don’t mix with heels.
• Protect your eyes. April sun in Amsterdam can be deceptive — it’s low in the sky and surprisingly bright. Grab a pair of UV-protective sunglasses before heading out. All sunglasses at Shady Shack come with 100% UV protection.
• Arrive early. The best vrijmarkt spots fill up before 10 AM. Serious bargain hunters start at 8.
• Stay hydrated. Between the sun, the walking, and possibly a few drinks — bring a water bottle.
• Watch your belongings. Pickpockets love crowded events. Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket or zipped bag.

Shady Shack has four stores right in the middle of the King’s Day Amsterdam action. Swing by before the festivities start and grab a pair that matches your outfit — we’ve got 250+ styles from €12, all with full UV protection.

• Berenstraat 41 — In the 9 Streets, right where the vrijmarkt happens
• Haarlemmerstraat 72 — Walking distance from the Jordaan party zone
• Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 304 — Steps from Dam Square
• Molsteeg 1 — Central Amsterdam, between all the action