Koningsdag (King's Day) 2026
Wear orange for Koningsdag â Kingâs Day â the Dutch national holiday that celebrates the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. Streets turn into open-air flea markets, cities fill with music and family crowds, and the color oranje is the unofficial dress code from Amsterdam to the smallest village square.
About Koningsdag (King's Day)
History & origins
Koningsdag is celebrated on 27 April, the birthday of King Willem-Alexander (born 1967). If 27 April falls on a Sunday, the holiday moves to Saturday 26 April. That Sunday shift does not apply in 2026â2030.
The modern holiday continues the older Koninginnedag (Queenâs Day) tradition. Under Queen Juliana the national day was her birthday, 30 April. Queen Beatrix kept 30 April even though her own birthday was in January. When Willem-Alexander became king in 2013, the name changed to Koningsdag and the date moved to 27 April from 2014 onward (the first Koningsdag was held on 26 April 2014 because the 27th was a Sunday).
The dayâs signature tradition is the vrijmarkt: anyone may sell second-hand goods on the street without a normal market permit. Royal visits rotate among Dutch towns each year. The evening before is often called Koningsnacht (Kingâs Night), especially in larger cities.
Why it matters
Koningsdag is one of the few days when the whole Kingdom of the Netherlands shares a single festive national calendar date â including a strong tourist draw and a civic link to the constitutional monarchy. The vrijmarkt also makes it unusually participatory: the street itself becomes the fair.
How to celebrate
Dress in orange. Browse or set up a spot at a vrijmarkt. Follow the published royal visit town if you want the official programme. Enjoy street music, canal-side gatherings where they are organized, and family daytime events â this page is a cultural festival guide, not a nightlife or drinking itinerary. If you are outside the Netherlands, cook a simple Dutch treat, fly an orange flag, or join an expat Koningsdag picnic.
Facts
- The date is King Willem-Alexanderâs birthday, 27 April (moved to 26 April only if the 27th is a Sunday)
- The holiday was called Koninginnedag and held on 30 April before 2014
- The first Koningsdag was observed on 26 April 2014 because 27 April 2014 was a Sunday
- The vrijmarkt lets people sell used goods on the street across the country
- Orange clothing and decorations are the visual hallmark of the day
Upcoming dates
- Monday, April 27, 2026
- Tuesday, April 27, 2027
- Thursday, April 27, 2028
- Friday, April 27, 2029
- Saturday, April 27, 2030
Frequently asked questions
When is Koningsdag (King's Day) in 2026?
Koningsdag (King's Day) in 2026 falls on Monday, April 27, 2026.
Is today Koningsdag (King's Day)?
No. Koningsdag (King's Day) in 2026 falls on Monday, April 27, 2026, not today.
What is Koningsdag?
Koningsdag (Kingâs Day) is the Dutch national holiday celebrating the kingâs birthday. It is known for orange clothing, street flea markets (vrijmarkt), and city festivities across the Netherlands.
Who started Koningsdag?
It continues the older Queenâs Day tradition and was renamed and moved to 27 April when Willem-Alexander became king. The royal birthday holiday itself dates back through earlier Dutch monarchsâ birthdays.
How do you celebrate Koningsdag?
Wear orange, visit a vrijmarkt, and join local daytime festivities or the yearâs royal-visit programme. Keep plans practical: transport is crowded and many shops run on holiday hours.
Is Koningsdag an official holiday?
Yes. It is a national public holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is not a U.S. federal holiday.
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