From parades to markets: diverse events across the Netherlands for King’s Day
As Koningsdag approaches, the festivities throughout the Netherlands promise to offer a wide range of events for everyone, with a special focus on family-friendly celebrations, according to Nouveau. This year, the royal family has chosen to stay in the Netherlands, where King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will attend the Koningsdag celebrations in Doetinchem. The royal visit will be the highlight of a series of festivities spanning the weekend, from Friday evening, April 25, to Sunday, April 27.
The program in Doetinchem will start with the traditional King’s Breakfast and aubade at 9:30 AM on April 26. Visitors can also look forward to the famous Koningsdag flea market, showcasing local crafts and foods. At 11:15 AM and 12:15 PM, the birds of prey show will take place, followed by the Ride & Show event at 1:00 PM, featuring 55 classic cars. Various musical performances, including brass bands and local talent, will keep the energy high throughout the day. The festivities will continue with food stalls and more entertainment at seven different venues across the city. The royal walk, a key feature of the day, will take place at 11:00 AM, with performers and demonstrations along the route.
In other major cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht, the celebrations are equally grand, with events such as the Kingsland Festival, a massive dance music festival, drawing crowds of over 150,000 people. In Amsterdam, the festival will feature more than 150 artists and take over 500,000 square meters of space. Utrecht’s famed Koningsnacht flea market, which runs from 6:00 PM on April 25 to 6:00 PM on April 26, will be a highlight of the evening, with visitors scouring second-hand goods at hundreds of stalls in the city center. This vibrant event is expected to draw massive crowds, so organizers advise arriving early, using public transport, and being mindful of street closures.
In addition to these big celebrations, regions like the Veluwe and Bollenstreek offer unique ways to celebrate Koningsdag, AD reports. The Veluwe will host bike tours through stunning forests and heathlands, with a stop at the Kröller-Müller Museum and the Museonder. The Bollenstreek, known for its colorful tulip fields, offers bike routes through the blooming fields, as well as a variety of local festivities. Visitors can rent bikes or e-bikes to fully enjoy the scenery and celebrate the day.
For flower enthusiasts, the Keukenhof in Lisse will be the place to be, with millions of blooming tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, making it one of the most picturesque spots in the country during Koningsdag.
Throughout the smaller cities and towns, Koningsdag will be marked by lively flea markets, local performances, and family-friendly activities. In Driebergen, the celebrations will begin early with a Koningsmarkt at 6:00 AM and include a local youth choir performance, a classic car ride, and various music and dance performances. Leersum will also offer a festive atmosphere with a breakfast, flag-raising ceremony, and flea market.
In anticipation of the large crowds expected for Koningsdag 2025, NS is implementing a special "Oranjedienstregeling" to accommodate travelers heading to various festivities across the Netherlands. This adjusted schedule includes additional and longer trains, particularly on routes to major cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague. To ensure smooth operations, NS is deploying extra staff, including conductors, service personnel, and security teams, to assist passengers and maintain cleanliness at stations and on trains.
Specific measures are also in place to manage the increased passenger flow. In Amsterdam, stations like Amsterdam Science Park and Amsterdam RAI will be closed on Koningsdag to prevent overcrowding, while travelers attending events at the RAI and the Olympic Stadium are advised to use Amsterdam Zuid station. NS encourages all travelers to plan their journeys in advance using the NS Reisplanner and to allow extra time for travel, especially during peak hours.
Additionally, from 7:00 PM on April 25 to 7:00 AM on April 27, an alcohol ban will be enforced on trains and at stations, and luggage lockers at major stations, including Amsterdam Centraal, Utrecht Centraal, Breda, and Eindhoven Centraal, will be unavailable during this period.
