The abdication of former Queen Beatrix on April 30, 2013 also brought an end to Queen’s Day. The celebration of Queen’s day is celebrated since time immemorial on the 30th of April, the birthday of former Queen Juliana. King Willem-Alexander choose to celebrate King’s Day on his own birthday, just like his grandmother and great-grandmother. He stops his mother’s tradition of honouring the birthday of Princess Juliana.
As previously mentioned, the first celebration of King’s Day will take place in 2014, on Saturday, April 26. Just like on Queen’s Day, countless events will be organised and almost everyone will be dressed in orange. This first King’s Day, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will visit the Dutch places Amstelveen and De Rijp.
Of course Amsterdam is the place to be when it comes to celebrating King’s Day 2014! The whole city will turn orange, with everyone wearing orange hats or even die their hair orange. There are events for everyone, young and old. Big events like the well known King’s Day party, but also the “free markets” (vrijmarkten in Dutch). These are flea markets on the streets, organised by residents of the city.
King’s Day naturally begins with King’s Night. Although the programme has not been announced yet, we expect the King’s Night parties to take place, just like earlier years. We’re talking about Rotzooi Queen’s Night Madness at Westerunie, on the Westergasfabriek grounds. The Queen’s Night at Club Panama. MuzQueen’s Night at MuzyQ and the traditional Queen’s Night at Heinekenhoek.
After King’s Night it’s time for the real party on King’s Day, called King’s Day Festival. On April 26, Amsterdam turns into one big free market. On every street and square you will find children selling lemonade and grown ups merchandising their old stuff, while others are hunting for deals. Like the saying goes; one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Children can participate in typically Dutch games such as “koekhappen” (bite-the-cake) and “spijkerpoepen” (nail pooping, which is not as painful as it sounds!).
One of the most well-known free markets is the free market at Beethoven Street in the Old-South area (called “Oud-Zuid” in Dutch). Beethoven Street is around the corner from Qbic Hotel Amsterdam WTC! There are stands where people sell their second-hand “rubbish”, and stands with food and drinks. Roam around this market and you might just be going home with a hidden treasure! You can always haggle for a better price with an “Amsterdammer” (a citizen of Amsterdam).
What’s so special about a free market – as its name suggests – is that everyone is free to sell their things as long as they don’t block entrances of shops or houses, and don’t disturb the traffic flow. Free markets are open from 6am – 8pm.
Another well-known free market is the one in the Vondelpark, a free market only for children. By selling (their own) old clothes and toys, kids earn a little money that they’re often spending right away at the free market itself.
Throughout the whole city, activities are being organised for children. One of the most well-known family festivals is the Bredewegfestival in Amsterdam East (Amsterdam Oost in Dutch). This festival in the East area of the city has not only a free market, but there’s also a street party with various acts and shows, and even a real circus!
Words can’t describe the real ‘orange’ feeling. For the real experience you must be in Amsterdam. Nice about Qbic Hotel Amsterdam is that you can walk to the city centre via the Free Market on the Beethovenstreet. And, off course, we will provide you with the best room for a good deal. Check out availability and rates for this period here.
Do you want to know more about the events on King’s Night and King’s Day 2014? You can find all information you need here.
Photo by Remy Gieling on Unsplash
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