Visit fête de la Reine or Queens Day in Amsterdam is the city's biggest annual event.
It's a national holiday celebrating the Queen's birthday, but nowhere is the party bigger than in Amsterdam.
With its markets, free concerts and all kinds of outdoor events, Amsterdam is the place to be.
Queen's Day in Amsterdam: article summary
Queen's event in Amsterdam: crowded streets
During Queens Day, Amsterdam becomes very busy, attracting visitors from all over the country, and even abroad. However, the atmosphere is relaxed and fun. with people who just want to have a good time.
Concerts are organized in the main squares and parks, the biggest being on Museumplein, and then in other parts of the city, notably Rembrandtplein, Leidseplein and the Stoperaplein on the Waterlooplein.
Many cafés open from 9 a.m. and from alcohol can be sold on the streets from 11am.
Radio stations often sponsor these concerts, and there is live national television coverage from Dam Square and surrounding areas.
Orange on every street
Orange is the countries' informal national color, so on Queen's Day, people dress in orange clothes, hats, wigs, disguises, painting their faces and bodies. The golden rule: the more, the better.
Every shop window is decked out in orange displays, orange flags fly, orange balloons hang from lampposts and street vendors sell orange food and drink, even the water in some fountains is tinted orange.
Make like a queen in Amsterdam: visit garage sales
Queens Day is also the only day of the year when jumble sales are allowed almost everywhere in Amsterdam.
This is the time when the Dutch clean out their attics, claim a piece of sidewalk and start selling unwanted things for 1 or 2 euros. The money earned is spent in other objects that will inevitably end up back in their attic.
It's a wonderful social event, and you'll find makeshift market stalls everywhere on street corners and in parks. People are selling old books, clothes, toys, small furniture and just about anything you can imagine.
Take part in Queen Night
The party starts the day before Queens Day. If you like going to bars and clubs, this is the perfect opportunity to do so. Cafés, bars and clubs can open very late and usually close between three and six in the morning. What you need party all night long.
Make the Queen in Amsterdam: a fun time for children
Queens Day in Amsterdam isn't just for adults. All kinds of games and activities for children can be found.
Head for one of the many parks, in particular the Vondelparkwhere you'll encounter puppet shows, musical performances for children and adults, street performers and face painters.
An important gay scene
Amsterdam is famous for its gay and lesbian scene. All the gay clubs and bars in Amsterdam celebrate Queens Day.
There is usually a wonderful outdoor party for gay and lesbian citizens who is held on the Westermarkt, where the Homo Monument is located. A second party also takes place at Reguliersdwarsstraat.
From Queen Amsterdam: a few rules to follow
Alcohol consumption on the streets is authorized during Queens Night and Queens Day in Amsterdam. But officially, you can only carry one bottle or can of alcohol. If you have more, the police can confiscate it.
On Queen's Day, no cars are allowed in Amsterdam city center, and all public transport has a different timetable than usual.
All the major food stores open on Queen's Day, but most other stores are closing.
Queen's Day Amsterdam is a popular festival attended by many locals and visitors alike. If you're in Amsterdam at this time of year, I recommend that you mingle with the crowds and enjoy the day's festivities.
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