Queens day is a national holiday for all lands belonging to the Netherlands. As it is locally known, Koninginnedag happens every year on April 30th. Unless the 30th is a Sunday, In which case it happens on the 29th.
Queens Day originated in 1885 on August 31st, and was created to celebrate the Princess Wilhelmina’s birthday. Princess Wilhelmina then went on to become the Queen. The Queens day which is celebrated now, is for Queen Juliana’s birthday, which happened to be on the 30th of April. Even today, Queen Beatrix celebrates her birthday on Queens day. Even though her original date of birth is 31st of January.
In brief, Queensday is when everyone in Holland dresses up in orange and celebrates the late queen Juliana’s birthday.
Events and activities on Queens day are plentiful. With many people, (In fact just about everyone) dressing up in bright orange to celebrate the event, in fact the shops and even beer is coloured orange to celebrate during the Queens day festivities. One of the most well known things which happens across the Netherlands during Queens Day is the ‘freemarket’, Or vrijmarkt, which enables anybody to sell just about anything it seems. So if you happen to spot one of these freemarkets during Queens day. Check it out, you might just pick up a bargain. (You may even be able to pick up some cool Orange fashion accessory that you desperately needed)
Other things to enjoy during the Queens day celebrations are, music concerts, music played, musical performances and anything else you can think of that includes music.
The streets are always bustling when Queens day is happening, So make sure that when your having fun. Your belongings and valuables are safe. Pickpockets have been known to take advantage of party goers as they aren’t always taking care of what they should be. (Such as Passports,purses,money,etc). Make sure you keep an eye on yours.
