King’s Day “Koningsdag” is by far the biggest and best day on the Amsterdam calendar. On April 27th over one million party goers from The Netherlands and beyond head to the Dam to celebrate the King’s birthday in Dutch style. It is renowned for being one of the most colorful festivities as celebrating King’s Day means dressing in orange clothing. The reigning dynasty is the house of orange and this is their color. There are flea markets, street carnivals, dancing, singing, drinking and eating everywhere, but the star of the show is the boats in the canals. Enjoy the videos and photos we have put together of our King’s Day celebration.
Sandy’s nephew Darren, wife Debbie, daughters Amanda and Lauren had a six hour lay over in Amsterdam on their way to a Scotland and London vacation. We greeted them in the rain at the Central Train Station , pictured in the background. Sandy presented them with orange leis for The Kings Day celebration.As you can see they came prepared and each one had an orange shirt on under their rain jackets.They were unable to get tickets to the Anne Frank House or any canal boat tour so we just strolled the canals and enjoyed joining the locals partying in the streets. Here we are doing orange liqueur shots. They told us that it is only available on King’s Day.The canals were loaded with locals in their boats. There were no tourist boats running except early in the day before festivities began.
These people know how to party on the water. We wondered how many of them end up in the canal.We had a great Algerian take away lunch at this street food market.It was interesting perusing the street sales. Locals have yard sales right outside their doors and some even allow you to use their toilets for 1 or 2 euros.
It was hard not to resist getting all this on video. Sandy’s nephew Darrin McInnis and family left around 1:30 to get back to the Airport and move on to researching their McInnis and Jamieson Heritage as well as visiting the sites of Outlander locations and Scotch whiskey tasting venues.After leaving Sandy’s nephew and family at the train station for them to continue their Scotland/London vacation we met up with our house guests, the O’Connor’s to continue King’s Day celebrations.
Kings Day Marching Parade.
Traffic jam on the Canal.
Us trying to buy a champagne toast. The server was so wasted we almost got it for free.God save the King (and us!)Kelly O’Connor soaking up King’s Day.Now this is how to travel.It is so green that they have a recycle station along the canal.
Watch this video to see how they collect recycles as the boat goes through the king’s mouth.
Along the Amstel River as the party boats enter they have a potty boat barge to sail up to if you need to go to the bathroom. It was fun watching the drunks try to get out of their boat up onto the barge toilets.
Sub boats from subway.
This video was taken from our living room window.Kelly had these Dutch children paint her face with the Dutch flag. These clever entrepreneurs were charging .50 euros for a face painting. Today the flags on this Hotel honored King’s DayThis is what they usually fly.
When we chose Amsterdam for this spring we were coming mainly for the tulips, knowing nothing about King’s day. We found the day to be somewhat comparable to Mardi Gras in New Orleans where we were last Spring. The biggest difference is that Mardi Gras goes on for weeks and this is only one day and elaborate floats versus canal boats. They tend to party hearty on both the floats and boats.
Wow!!!! Looks like a fun and amazing time! And you guys look FABULOUS 🥰
Just got back from 2 days in Plymouth MA at the New England Regional Symposium for the Mass ENA! Team into Deb Donohue, who send hugs! You guys worked together at NEMH MANY years ago…. Safe travels, and my love to you both!🥰💃🥰💃🥰💃
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