What are the best places to celebrate Kings day (besides Amsterdam)?

King’s Day, or Koningsdag in Dutch, is a national holiday celebrated in the Netherlands on April 27th every year. It’s a day when the Dutch come together to celebrate the birthday of their king, Willem-Alexander. While Amsterdam is known for having one of the biggest and most famous King’s Day celebrations, there are many other cities and towns in the Netherlands that offer unique and exciting ways to celebrate the holiday. In this blog post, we’ll highlight some of the best places to celebrate King’s Day in the Netherlands (besides Amsterdam).

Utrecht

Utrecht is a beautiful city located in the heart of the Netherlands. On King’s Day, the city is transformed into a sea of orange as people come together to celebrate. There are markets, live music performances, and plenty of food and drink stalls. One of the highlights of King’s Day in Utrecht is the boat parade on the canals. You can rent a boat and join in on the fun, or simply watch from the sidelines.

Eindhoven

Eindhoven is known for its high-tech industry, but it’s also a great place to celebrate King’s Day. The city has a lively atmosphere on King’s Day, with street parties and live music performances throughout the city. One of the most popular events is the King’s Day Run, where thousands of people run through the city in orange outfits.

Haarlem

Haarlem is a picturesque city just a short train ride from Amsterdam. On King’s Day, the city comes alive with live music, markets, and street performers. The city also hosts a popular flea market, where locals sell their unwanted goods. The highlight of King’s Day in Haarlem is the “kleedjesmarkt”, where children sell their old toys and clothes on blankets in the streets.

Groningen

Groningen is a lively university city in the north of the Netherlands. On King’s Day, the city is transformed into a giant outdoor party. There are flea markets, food and drink stalls, and live music performances throughout the city. One of the most unique events in Groningen is the “bierfietsen”, where groups of people cycle through the city on a large bike while enjoying a cold beer.

Den Bosch

Den Bosch is a charming city in the south of the Netherlands. On King’s Day, the city is filled with orange decorations and live music performances. One of the highlights of King’s Day in Den Bosch is the “Luilakmarkt”, where locals sell their goods at the crack of dawn. The city also hosts a popular boat parade on the canals.

In conclusion, while Amsterdam may be the most famous place to celebrate King’s Day, there are many other cities and towns in the Netherlands that offer unique and exciting ways to celebrate the holiday. From boat parades to flea markets, there’s something for everyone on King’s Day in the Netherlands.