Amsterdam King’s Day 2026

Amsterdam King’s Day (Koningsdag) 2026

Amsterdam King’s Day (Koningsdag) 2026 takes place on Monday, April 27, 2026, when the city turns orange for the Dutch king’s birthday with canal-side celebrations, neighbourhood street parties, and the famous vrijmarkt (free-market flea market) atmosphere across Amsterdam. If you want to experience Amsterdam at its most joyful and most chaotic in the best way, Koningsdag is the one day when locals and visitors celebrate together from early morning until late night, and the whole city feels like a festival stage.

Amsterdam King’s Day 2026: the essential details (confirmed)

I amsterdam confirms that King’s Day is held annually for the king’s birthday on 27 April, and it states the next King’s Day will be on Monday, 27 April, 2026. The I amsterdam events listing for Koningsdag also confirms the location as various locations across Amsterdam, with the day running from 07:00 to 00:00.

These two details help you plan like a pro. Koningsdag is not a single ticketed venue event, it is a citywide celebration, so your itinerary should be built around neighbourhood choices, transit strategy, and pacing rather than one address.

What Koningsdag means in Amsterdam (and why it feels so local)

King’s Day is an orange-filled celebration for the king’s birthday, and it’s especially big and colourful in Amsterdam. In practical terms, that means the city’s personality shifts: canals become party routes, sidewalks become mini markets, and neighbourhood squares feel like open-air living rooms.

Amsterdam’s King’s Day is also famous for its mix of traditions. You’ll see families shopping at the vrijmarkt, friend groups hopping between outdoor parties, and visitors learning quickly that “wear orange” is not a suggestion, it is the unofficial uniform.

What to do on King’s Day in Amsterdam

Because Koningsdag is citywide, the best plan is to pick two or three “anchors” and let the day flow around them. A simple way to structure the day:

• Morning: explore a vrijmarkt area and grab coffee and snacks.
• Afternoon: choose one or two neighbourhood party zones.
• Evening: settle into a paid festival or indoor venues if you want a more controlled experience.

I amsterdam specifically suggests classic Koningsdag options like cruising the canals with family, visiting a vrijmarkt, or going big at one of the many parties and festivals. The key is not trying to do everything, because the city gets very busy and distances feel longer in crowds.

The vrijmarkt experience

The vrijmarkt is one of the most charming parts of the day. You can browse secondhand finds, handmade items, and snacks while hearing music drift through residential streets and canals.

If you want the best vrijmarkt feel, arrive early. The I amsterdam listing shows the day starts at 07:00, and early hours often feel more local and less packed than mid-afternoon.

Parties, festivals, and why Amsterdam goes all-in

Koningsdag is widely known as one of the Netherlands’ biggest and most colourful festivities, especially in Amsterdam. That reputation is a big part of why travelers fly in: it is a once-a-year atmosphere that makes the city feel like it is collectively celebrating in public.

If you prefer a more “organized” music experience, Amsterdam also hosts multiple paid events on the day. I amsterdam’s event listing shows examples like Kingsland Festival at the Olympisch Stadion and Loveland van Oranje at Meerpark on April 27, 2026.

Travel and safety tips for King’s Day 2026 (important updates)

King’s Day can get “pretty wild” in Amsterdam, and IamExpat reports that the city announced six measures for a “safe and festive” King’s Day in 2026. The same article says the municipality will crack down on illegal alcohol sales and illegal parties, with stricter enforcement and immediate penalties for those who violate rules after receiving a warning.

IamExpat also reports that Amsterdam wants to reduce crowding on the water and will enforce the 12+1 rule more strictly, with no exceptions, meaning a maximum of 12 people plus a skipper per boat. For visitors planning a canal boat experience, this is crucial: keep groups within the limit, and do not assume exceptions will be allowed in 2026.

The city’s plan also includes making paid festivals outside the city centre more attractive by extending end times to 10pm, as part of a strategy to spread out visitors. For travelers, that suggests a smart tactic: consider spending part of the day outside the most crowded canal-ring areas and using an organized event as your evening anchor.

How to plan your Amsterdam itinerary around Koningsdag

If you are visiting Amsterdam specifically for King’s Day, book accommodation early and choose a location that helps you walk rather than constantly rely on transport. Because the celebration is across “various locations,” you will likely spend much of the day moving on foot and following the crowd energy.

A practical packing list for the day:

• Orange layer or accessory for the full Amsterdam experience.
• Small crossbody bag, because you will be in dense crowds.
• A backup phone charging plan for maps, meetups, and last-minute plan changes.

If you are planning a canal day, remember the stricter enforcement focus in 2026 and keep your group and behaviour aligned with local rules. Koningsdag is more fun when it feels easy and safe, not stressful.

Verified Information at a glance

• Event name: Amsterdam King’s Day (Koningsdag) 2026
• Event category: National holiday and citywide outdoor celebration (street parties, festivals, vrijmarkt)
• Confirmed date: Monday, April 27, 2026
• Confirmed location: Various locations across Amsterdam
• Confirmed general time window: 07:00 to 00:00
• Confirmed what it celebrates: The king’s birthday on 27 April
• Verified 2026 Amsterdam safety focus: Stricter measures to improve safety, including crackdown on illegal alcohol sales and illegal parties
• Verified boat crowding rule: City to enforce 12+1 rule more strictly with no exceptions (max 12 people plus skipper per boat)
• Verified crowd-management approach: City aims to spread visitors by making paid festivals outside the city centre more attractive, including extending end times to 10pm

If you want to experience Amsterdam at full volume, plan for Monday, April 27, wear your brightest orange, choose a neighbourhood route that matches your energy, and let Koningsdag 2026 show you what this city feels like when everyone steps outside to celebrate together.