By FOMO Girl
Late April is a great time to visit Amsterdam, the Netherlands' capital, since this is when their annual King's Day celebration takes place. Originally known as Queen's Day, when the reigning monarch was female, this exciting holiday is normally held between April 25-27th and is celebrated with a citywide street party. Visitors will find several tour companies offering festivals travel tours that will provide them with a memorable experience of this dutch holiday.
This local tradition began in August 1885 to honor the birth of Queen Wilhelmina, and continued as an annual event after her daughter, Juliana, and grand-daughter, Beatrix succeeded her, only the date was changed to April. In 2014, the name of this holiday was officially changed to King's Day, as a male monarch, King Willem-Alexander took over the throne.
Even though the name of this holiday has changed, it still maintains the same festive spirit, with both locals and visitors to the city dressed fully in orange, the color that symbolizes the royal family of the Netherlands, the House of Orange-Nassau. The royals themselves take part in the celebration by visiting a different town or city each year.
The entire city of Amsterdam becomes a giant flea market at this time, with people setting up tables throughout the streets and parks where they can sell pretty much anything new or used. There are also tons of food stalls offering a wide selection of tasty things to eat, with pubs packed with lively folks, and music fills the air from bands and DJs playing their tunes. Families with kids can enjoy sporting events, face-painting, street buskers, and much more.
Although it is considered a public holiday, King's Day is by no means a day of rest. The festivities kick off the night before the big day, and continue through until the next day. The party isn't limited to the streets and parks alone, but it also takes place on the water, as colorfully, decorated boats line the waterways of the Amsterdam canal system. Spectators, who aren't on the boats, typically line up along the bridges just to watch.
Late April is a great time to visit Amsterdam, the Netherlands' capital, since this is when their annual King's Day celebration takes place. Originally known as Queen's Day, when the reigning monarch was female, this exciting holiday is normally held between April 25-27th and is celebrated with a citywide street party. Visitors will find several tour companies offering festivals travel tours that will provide them with a memorable experience of this dutch holiday.
This local tradition began in August 1885 to honor the birth of Queen Wilhelmina, and continued as an annual event after her daughter, Juliana, and grand-daughter, Beatrix succeeded her, only the date was changed to April. In 2014, the name of this holiday was officially changed to King's Day, as a male monarch, King Willem-Alexander took over the throne.
Even though the name of this holiday has changed, it still maintains the same festive spirit, with both locals and visitors to the city dressed fully in orange, the color that symbolizes the royal family of the Netherlands, the House of Orange-Nassau. The royals themselves take part in the celebration by visiting a different town or city each year.
The entire city of Amsterdam becomes a giant flea market at this time, with people setting up tables throughout the streets and parks where they can sell pretty much anything new or used. There are also tons of food stalls offering a wide selection of tasty things to eat, with pubs packed with lively folks, and music fills the air from bands and DJs playing their tunes. Families with kids can enjoy sporting events, face-painting, street buskers, and much more.
Although it is considered a public holiday, King's Day is by no means a day of rest. The festivities kick off the night before the big day, and continue through until the next day. The party isn't limited to the streets and parks alone, but it also takes place on the water, as colorfully, decorated boats line the waterways of the Amsterdam canal system. Spectators, who aren't on the boats, typically line up along the bridges just to watch.
King's Day Tours
Those who prefer to arrange their own transportation to Amsterdam may want to check out the offerings of party tour operator Stoke Travel. Guests meet up in the Dutch capital, where for King's Day Stoke Travel provides floating accommodation aboard its two fully equipped, comfortable houseboats. Besides partaking in the revelry of the street party, travelers can enjoy guided walking tours of local places of interest. An optional four-hour boat cruise, with beer included, is available for an extra fee on King's Day.
Busabout offers travelers fun excursions to Amsterdam to celebrate King's Day. The Busabout King's Day tour packages provide bus and ferry transportation from London, England, a fun and knowledgeable guide, three nights accommodations, breakfast each, one dinner, and orange regalia for each guest, including a t-shirt, face paint and such. Travelers can enjoy a bike tour, checking out Amsterdam's hot spots, beer sampling, and a tour of the dam and the infamous "Red Light District".
Still not convinced how much fun King's Day can be in Amsterdam? Well check out this video below.
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