One BIG orange party

Queen's Day in Amsterdam is something to be seen. Celebrated every year on April 30 to commemorate the birthday of Holland's former Queen, people flock to Amsterdam from all over the world to celebrate this annual street carnival.

The celebrations start Queen's Night - April 29 - with squares around the city centre filled with DJs, music and party goers dressed in orange. We explored the Leidseplein square near the casino and soaked in the atmosphere ready for Queen's Day. Queen's Night goes well into the early morning but after a 5am wake up for the Royal Wedding, we opted to save ourselves for the following day.

Queen's Night in Amsterdam

Queen's Day begins around midday until late into the night. Squares and streets through the city are filled with a sea of people dressed in orange and boats fill the canals with party goers - apparently a boat is the place to be! From Museumplein, to Amstelveld, Leidsplein and Rembrandt plein, there were plenty of places to spend the day or hop between... and best of all the entertainment was all free.

Boats along the canals

Crowds at Museumplein

Queen's Day Essentials
- orange top
- orange accessories (shoes, hats, glasses, bangles, earrings, nail polish)
- pre-drinks
- frites & frankfurts
- a good map
- a hotel close to the action so you can return to the room to use the bathroom

Queen's Day attire