Queen’s Day
A colorful celebration of Princess Juliana’s birthday!
April 30 is a day to celebrate in Amsterdam because it’s the birthday of Princess Juliana, the mother of the current queen of the Netherlands (Queen Beatrix). Princess Juliana’s birthday is celebrated annually on April 30 - unless it falls on a Sunday, in which case the celebration takes place on Saturday, April 29.
What to expectQueen’s Day is a day of color in Amsterdam. The Netherlands’ royal family is part of the House of Orange, so all Queen’s Day revelers dress in wild orange outfits as part of the celebration.
More than 750,000 visitors flock to Amsterdam for Queen’s Day festivities. Local groups and schools perform folklore in Vondelpark. Flea markets are set up in the streets. Since Queen’s Day is a free-market day, many families will take the opportunity to sell household goods they no longer need. It’s like a city-wide garage sale. Queen’s Day is all about dancing, drinking and shopping, and the whole country looks forward to the festivities. Celebrations last from early in the morning until late at night.
If you’re planning to travel from another part of the Netherlands to Amsterdam for Queen’s Day, it’s best to avoid the traffic and take the train. Just be sure to book your seat and accommodations well in advance. This is one packed train!
Food and drink on Queen’s DayNo celebration in Amsterdam is complete without a traditional drink. Again, in the spirit of the House of Orange, Queen’s Day partiers love to celebrate with Oranjebitter, which is an orange-colored liqueur made of natural herbs and orange peels. Oranjebitter is sipped from small glasses or mixed with soda water or orange juice for a refreshing beverage. And of course, beer is a popular Queen’s Day drink, too.
Food stalls line the streets and parks, offering plenty of local dishes and traditional party foods. Falafels (traditionally from the Middle East) are a tasty, inexpensive treat that shows that diverse cultures call Amsterdam home. French fries with mayonnaise, waffles, puffed pancakes, stews and various fish dishes are all yummy victuals that you’ll be able to sample on Queen’s Day.
Queen’s Day is one of the most popular celebrations in the Netherlands, and Amsterdam is the hub of the party. If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam, try to be there for Queen’s Day. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Queen’s Day
A colorful celebration of Princess Juliana’s birthday!
April 30 is a day to celebrate in Amsterdam because it’s the birthday of Princess Juliana, the mother of the current queen of the Netherlands (Queen Beatrix). Princess Juliana’s birthday is celebrated annually on April 30 - unless it falls on a Sunday, in which case the celebration takes place on Saturday, April 29.
What to expectQueen’s Day is a day of color in Amsterdam. The Netherlands’ royal family is part of the House of Orange, so all Queen’s Day revelers dress in wild orange outfits as part of the celebration.
More than 750,000 visitors flock to Amsterdam for Queen’s Day festivities. Local groups and schools perform folklore in Vondelpark. Flea markets are set up in the streets. Since Queen’s Day is a free-market day, many families will take the opportunity to sell household goods they no longer need. It’s like a city-wide garage sale. Queen’s Day is all about dancing, drinking and shopping, and the whole country looks forward to the festivities. Celebrations last from early in the morning until late at night.
If you’re planning to travel from another part of the Netherlands to Amsterdam for Queen’s Day, it’s best to avoid the traffic and take the train. Just be sure to book your seat and accommodations well in advance. This is one packed train!
Food and drink on Queen’s DayNo celebration in Amsterdam is complete without a traditional drink. Again, in the spirit of the House of Orange, Queen’s Day partiers love to celebrate with Oranjebitter, which is an orange-colored liqueur made of natural herbs and orange peels. Oranjebitter is sipped from small glasses or mixed with soda water or orange juice for a refreshing beverage. And of course, beer is a popular Queen’s Day drink, too.
Food stalls line the streets and parks, offering plenty of local dishes and traditional party foods. Falafels (traditionally from the Middle East) are a tasty, inexpensive treat that shows that diverse cultures call Amsterdam home. French fries with mayonnaise, waffles, puffed pancakes, stews and various fish dishes are all yummy victuals that you’ll be able to sample on Queen’s Day.
Queen’s Day is one of the most popular celebrations in the Netherlands, and Amsterdam is the hub of the party. If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam, try to be there for Queen’s Day. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
