Last updated: 24 September 2026
If there is one day that shows you the Dutch are not as reserved as they seem, it is King’s Day (Koningsdag). On 27 April the whole country turns orange, the streets become one giant flea market, the canals fill with party boats, and there is music on every corner. And for South Africans in the Netherlands, there is a bonus: 27 April is also Freedom Day back home. Two celebrations, one day.
King’s Day 2027 is extra special, because it is King Willem-Alexander’s 60th birthday. Here is everything you need to know to plan your day.
Short answer: King’s Day 2027 is on Tuesday 27 April 2027, with King’s Night parties on the evening of Monday 26 April. It is the King’s 60th birthday, and the royal family will celebrate in Lelystad. Wear orange, bring cash for the vrijmarkt (free market), and expect crowds everywhere, especially in Amsterdam. It is also South Africa’s Freedom Day.
Jump to: When is King’s Day 2027 | What happens | The vrijmarkt | Where to go | Haarlem and Zandvoort | Freedom Day | Tips | FAQ
When is King’s Day 2027?
| What | When |
|---|---|
| King’s Night (Koningsnacht) | Monday evening 26 April 2027 |
| King’s Day (Koningsdag) | Tuesday 27 April 2027 |
| South African Freedom Day | Tuesday 27 April 2027 |
| Royal family visit | Lelystad, Flevoland |
King’s Day is always on 27 April, the birthday of King Willem-Alexander, who was born in 1967. When 27 April falls on a Sunday, King’s Day moves to Saturday 26 April, but in 2027 it is on a Tuesday, so the date stays. It is a national holiday, and many people have the day off, but whether you do depends on your employer and your contract, so check with work. In many regions it falls close to or in the school May holiday (meivakantie).
What happens on King’s Day?
- Everything turns orange. Orange is the colour of the royal House of Orange-Nassau, and people wear orange shirts, wigs, hats, feather boas and face paint.
- The vrijmarkt. Anyone can sell their second hand stuff on the street without a permit. It is the biggest flea market of the year.
- Street parties and music. Cities put up stages, bars spill out onto the street and DJs play everywhere.
- Boats on the canals. In Amsterdam, the canals turn into a floating party.
- The royal visit. The royal family visits one town every year and it is broadcast live on TV.
- Oranje bitter and tompouce. Bakeries sell tompoucen with orange icing, and some people drink a shot of orange liqueur.
The royal family in Lelystad
For King’s Day 2027, the royal family will celebrate in Lelystad, the capital of Flevoland. The timing is special for both sides: the King turns 60, and Lelystad celebrates its own 60th anniversary as a city. The municipality has said that the route and programme will be announced later, and the aim is a party for everyone, with residents, schools, sports clubs and businesses all involved. The visit is always shown live on Dutch TV, if you want to see how the Dutch royals do a walkabout.
The vrijmarkt: the country’s biggest flea market
The vrijmarkt (free market) is the heart of King’s Day. On this one day, you do not need a permit to sell things on the street, so people put out blankets full of old clothes, toys, books, records and furniture. Kids sell homemade cake and lemonade, play music for coins, or set up little games. It is a great way to pick up bargains, and a very Dutch way to declutter.
Every city has its own rules. Usually you can only sell second hand goods, not new products, and some cities do not allow you to reserve a spot the night before with tape or chalk. Selling alcohol is generally not allowed without a permit. Check your municipality’s website in April for the exact locations, times and rules.
- To buy: go early, when the best stuff is still there, and bring coins and small notes.
- To sell: get a spot early, bring a blanket, price things low, and be ready to haggle.
- With kids: look for children’s markets (kindervrijmarkt), like the famous one in the Vondelpark in Amsterdam, where only children are allowed to sell.
Where to celebrate King’s Day
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the King’s Day capital, and it gets incredibly busy with hundreds of thousands of visitors. The Jordaan, the canals and the area around the Vondelpark are the classic spots. There are also paid festivals and parties around the city. Expect packed trains, closed streets and no room to move in the centre, and do not try to drive in.
Utrecht
Utrecht is famous for having one of the biggest vrijmarkten in the country, which starts on King’s Night, so you can shop the night before.
The Hague and other cities
The Hague, Rotterdam, Groningen, Den Bosch and Eindhoven all have big street parties and markets, and many cities host a King’s Day festival with DJs and live bands. If you prefer something calmer, smaller towns and villages have a more local, family friendly feel with games, markets and a brass band.
King’s Night
On the evening of 26 April, many cities throw King’s Night (Koningsnacht) parties with concerts and club nights. The Hague is known for its big King’s Night party. It is a good option if you want to party the night before and keep King’s Day for the market.
King’s Day in Haarlem and Zandvoort
You do not have to go to Amsterdam for a great King’s Day. In recent years, Haarlem has had vrijmarkten in several neighbourhoods and the city centre, plus stages with local artists and DJs in places like the Kenaupark and the Nieuwe Kerksplein, fairground rides on the Grote Markt and street parties across the city. Heemstede and Bloemendaal have their own markets and activities, often more relaxed and great for families.
In Zandvoort, the vrijmarkt has recently run through the village centre from the Raadhuisplein, with an official opening and flag raising in the morning, games for kids in the afternoon and live music on the terraces in the evening. The Oranje Comité Haarlem and the municipality of Zandvoort publish the 2027 programme closer to the date.
Freedom Day: a South African celebration on the same day
On 27 April 1994, South Africans of all races voted together for the first time, and Freedom Day marks that first democratic election. For South Africans in the Netherlands, the fact that it falls on King’s Day means you can celebrate twice: orange for the Dutch, and the South African flag for home.
Some South African groups and communities organise their own Freedom Day get togethers or braais around this date. Keep an eye on our guide to expat and South African events in the Netherlands, and see the South African community in the Netherlands for groups to join. If you want to throw your own braai, our guide on where to buy South African food in the Netherlands will help you find the boerewors and the Mrs Ball’s.
Tips for your first King’s Day
- Buy something orange before the week starts. Shops sell out of orange gear close to the day.
- Bring cash. Most vrijmarkt sellers do not take cards, although some use a payment request app.
- Take the train, or better, your bike. Trains to Amsterdam are packed, and some stations can be closed because of crowds. Check the NS journey planner.
- Watch the weather. Late April in the Netherlands can be sunny and 20 degrees or 8 degrees and raining. Pack a rain jacket.
- Know the rules. Many cities ban glass on the street, public urination fines are high, and you must be 18 or older to buy alcohol.
- Clean up. If you sell at the vrijmarkt, take whatever you did not sell home with you.
Want to keep the party going? Our calendar of music festivals in the Netherlands in 2027 starts with DGTL and Paaspop at Easter, and the events calendar has markets, runs and fairs all year round. If you are new here, start with our guide to moving from South Africa to the Netherlands.
Frequently asked questions
When is King’s Day 2027?
King’s Day 2027 is on Tuesday 27 April 2027. King’s Night is the evening before, on Monday 26 April.
Where will the royal family celebrate King’s Day 2027?
The royal family will celebrate King’s Day 2027 in Lelystad, on King Willem-Alexander’s 60th birthday.
Is King’s Day a day off in the Netherlands?
It is a national holiday, and most people have the day off, but it depends on your employer and your employment contract.
Why do people wear orange on King’s Day?
Orange is the colour of the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau.
Can I sell things at the vrijmarkt?
Yes. On King’s Day, anyone can sell second hand goods on the street without a permit, within the rules set by each municipality.
Is King’s Day on the same day as Freedom Day?
Yes. Both are on 27 April, so South Africans in the Netherlands can celebrate both on the same day.
Sources: Gemeente Lelystad: royal family celebrates King’s Day 2027 in Lelystad, The Royal House of the Netherlands, Haarlem105: King’s Day in Haarlem and surroundings.
