King's Day Amsterdam

King's Day (Koningsdag) marks the birthday of King Willem-Alexander on 27 April; in 2027 it falls on a Tuesday. When 27 April falls on a Sunday, King's Day is celebrated on the Saturday before. The evening before, 26 April, is King's Night (Koningsnacht).

The vrijmarkt

On King's Day anyone may sell on the street from 6am to 8pm. Alcohol may not be sold, nor meat, fish or dairy without a licence, and doorways, bridges and fire hydrants must be kept clear. Vondelpark has a children-only market (from 9am), with other children's markets at Amstelveld, Westerpark, Noorderpark and Rembrandtplein. From 2027 Westerstraat and Noordermarkt become event grounds.

Good to know

The street parties are free; large organised parties need tickets bought in advance. You may carry only one can or bottle of alcohol at a time, alcohol is not allowed at stations or on NS trains, and glass is not allowed. Canal boats may carry at most 12 people plus the skipper, at up to 6 km/h. There are no luggage lockers at Amsterdam Centraal on King's Day. No King's Day accessibility guide is published; the city's map shows first-aid posts and toilets.

• Central canal ring: walk straight into the vrijmarkt and canal parties; on King's Day trams and buses stop at the edge of the centre and cars are banned from 7.30am, so staying inside means no transport to worry about.
• Amsterdam-Zuid and around Vondelpark: a short walk from the Vondelpark children-only market (from 9am) and outside the densest canal crowds, with metro 52 running extra trains.
• Near Schiphol: trains to Amsterdam Centraal take about 17 minutes, up to eight an hour, but expect packed platforms on the day.

The Jordaan and Westerstraat are the busiest area (the city advises families to avoid them, and they become event grounds from 2027). There are no luggage lockers at Amsterdam Centraal on King's Day, so drop bags at your accommodation first.

Fly into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS); trains reach Amsterdam Centraal in about 17 minutes, up to eight an hour. On King's Day the city centre is closed to cars from 7.30am and trams and buses only run to the edge of the centre, so plan to walk. GVB runs a Saturday timetable with extra metro 52 trains, and some metro stations close (in 2026: Amstelveenseweg, Europaplein and RAI). On King's Night trams 2, 17 and 24 avoid Leidsestraat from 6.30pm. GVB asks you not to bring a bike on the metro.

Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights.

• Before you go, read the UK government's FCDO travel advice for the Netherlands (entry requirements, safety and local laws).
• Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights and live alerts.