TicketSwap Staff recommend: The King's Day survival guide for 2026

We’re bringing you a three-part guide to King's Day (and King's Night), including a refresher on what on earth this day even is (you can skip that bit if you already know), a heads up on all the King's Day events, parties, festivals and cultural things taking place across the holiday, plus the lowdown on some of the best cafes, restaurants, bars and record stores to check out if you’re swinging by the capital. 

Rest assured our recommendations are watertight, brought to you courtesy of the party experts at TicketSwap HQ. And so, without further ado, here’s how to nail your King's Day (and King's Night), TicketSwap staffer style.

First things first… what is King’s Day?

Also known as Koningsdag in Dutch, King’s Day is a national holiday, usually taking place on 27th April in the Netherlands, which is also when it will be celebrated this year. For some, it’s the biggest day (and night) in the party calendar, for thrifters it’s a day of vintage market dreams where the streets are taken over by stalls selling pre-loved goodies, and for others, it’s a day dedicated to consuming as many oranje tompouce (delicious King’s Day pastries) as possible.

What date is King’s Day?

The King’s birthday is April 27th, but when it lands on a Sunday, the party gets a little impatient and jumps to Saturday instead. This year, though, the date behaves itself - so we’re celebrating on April 27th.

As TicketSwap’s Tom Stitger puts it: “You start either fresh and early, or completely hungover from the night before: King's Night.” In other words, those wanting to make the most of King's Day might want to participate in King’s Night festivities too, which take place on 25th April this year. 

But before we get onto making party plans, let’s dive into what you need to know to set your King’s Day and King’s Night plans up for success.

King's Day tips

Wearing orange on King's Day 

The Dutch celebrate this national holiday by wearing orange as a nod to the royal family’s name, which literally translates to House of Orange. So sure, go hard on the orange if your heart desires it. 

You can grab last-minute orange outfits from local high-street shops (which are likely to have more than their average stock of orange garments at this time of year to help their shoppers prepare for the big day), or get a custom orange t-shirts, hoodies, caps and flags online. Orange wigs also go down a treat, and why not paint a Dutch flag on your cheeks while you’re at it?

But get your timing right. Since King’s Day moved from 30 April to 27 April in 2014, confused tourists occasionally show up in orange a day too late. After last year’s early celebration on the 26th, it could happen again. Don’t make the same mistake, or you’ll be dubbed a ‘vergistoerist’. Not the vibe you’re going for.

Take out cash in advance…

You won’t be able to withdraw money amid the festivities in big cities. The queue will be too long. The ATM will run out of cash. It will kill the vibe. Take it from us: it’s worth thinking ahead.

…and bring small change!

It’s worth keeping 50c and euro coins in your pocket – mostly for the purpose of accessing toilets while you’re prowling around the city and enjoying beers in the sun. There are plenty of public toilets, but plenty of houses near main celebration areas also open up their toilets to the public for a small fee (hence the coins). And with plenty of opportunities to break your notes for coins – from incredible street stalls to plenty of culinary temptations – you won’t struggle on this one.

Speaking of which: get supplies in early

“King's Day is very much a BYOB event,” Tom adds. If you’re planning to drink, he recommends you  “stock up on beers and other alcoholic drinks, since by the afternoon every drinks section of every supermarket in the city will be raided.”

Set a meeting point

“The people that are planning to go out to celebrate the King usually team up early for a boozy brunch or hit the meeting point for where the boat will start.” Tom continues. “Spontaneous parties will kick off at random corners, streets and squares in the city and you will find many people clustering around the canal-area. Probably because a group of people opened their windows of their canal house apartment and put a DJ set and speakers in the window. The city centre will become a big playground, like a little festival on its own. Many bars in town will sell beers on the street and have some amplified music too.”

Find music bargains and freebies

Did you know that on King’s Day you're allowed to sell items on the street without a permit? 

“You will find kids selling their old toys or even performing by showing their best saxophone skills in between stalls,” Tom explains, adding that you should look out for tape on the pavement that says “BEZET” or “GERESERVEERD”. 

Find those areas, and you’ll soon spot people bringing their pre-loved items, often music-related, onto the street. Look out for records, band t-shirts and other memorabilia for generously low prices.

Plan your travel

Over 700,000 people hit the streets during King’s Day, and transport can often be disrupted or running on limited timetables. Plan your schedule ahead of time and use an app like Citymapper to find your way round and keep up-to-date.

…And know your escape plan!

Look, we’ll be the first to say it: King's Day is a lot. And celebrating it in the city centre isn’t for everyone. Tom’s advice, if you’re keen to do your King's Day a little more DIY, is to hit up a bar a bit outside of the city centre. More on that later…

TicketSwap King's Day recommendations

No matter if you want to grab something to eat during King’s Day or sometime later, this is a must-try list if you visit Amsterdam or Rotterdam. After a long King’s Night, chances are you’ll wake up craving coffee, carbs, or something salty. Luckily, the TicketSwap team has plenty of personal favourites across both cities.

To cure a King's Night hangover in Amsterdam

Coffee first (always)

If you find yourself in the thick of the action around Haarlemmerbuurt or Noordermarkt, Poly recommends starting with a proper coffee.

Toki is a great place to reset after a big night out, and Good Beans on Binnen Oranjestraat is another favourite among locals celebrating King’s Day in Amsterdam. According to Poly, Good Beans sometimes even throws a block party during King’s Day: the perfect mix of caffeine and celebration.

Quick bites between the celebrations

When hunger kicks in mid-celebration, quick comfort food is the move.

Poly recommends grabbing something from Davie’s or heading to Breadwinner, a bagel spot that’s already somewhat legendary among locals wandering through the city centre on King’s Day.

Richard also swears by Caldi e Freddi, which he calls “the best and most affordable Italian sandwich shop in Amsterdam.” If you need a proper sandwich to keep the party going, this one might be your safest bet.

In Amsterdam but craving something from Tokyo? Or don't know how to cure the hangover? Maria recommends Taka Ramen in Nieuwmarkt, a hidden gem: “Don’t be scared if you walk into a supermarket first. Just confidently head to the elevator and press 4. They’ve got Japanese staff and the ramen is 10/10.”

When pizza is the only solution

Sometimes there’s only one cure after a long King’s Night: pizza.

Seb has been known to rave about Pizzeria Dope in De Pijp non-stop. In his words, it serves “the best pizzas in Amsterdam (in my opinion)”, which sounds like a strong enough endorsement to us.

Bars worth squeezing into

If you’re exploring the canals and streets during King’s Day, Poly also recommends popping into a few classic Amsterdam bars.

R. de Rosa, Het Papeneiland, and Café ’t Smalle are all great stops if you’re wandering around the Jordaan area. Just one warning: during King’s Day these places will likely be absolutely rammed.

But then again, that’s part of the fun.

When the party keeps going

If your King’s Night energy hasn’t quite faded, Ines recommends Doka, a house and techno club hidden under the Volkshotel. Known for vinyl sets and creative collaborations, it’s a fun spot if you’re looking to keep the music going after a full day of celebrations.

Rotterdam picks from the TicketSwap team

King’s Day might attract huge crowds in Amsterdam, but Rotterdam has plenty of gems worth visiting too.

And when it comes to food recommendations, we trust our Rotterdam crew. Our colleague Cammie sent over a full list of must-try spots - and if you know Cammie, you know she doesn’t mess around when it comes to food. She’s a true foodie and famously picky, which makes her recommendations all the more trustworthy.

Brunch and bakery stops

If you’re starting your day slowly, Jarmusch is a must-visit brunch spot. As Cammie puts it, you haven’t really been to Rotterdam until you’ve had brunch there. Pancakes, eggs, strong coffee - exactly what you need after a long King’s Night.

If you’re more in the mood for a bakery stop, Nisha recommends Bagel & Bagel, a simple but reliable place for a proper bagel and coffee before heading back into the King’s Day celebrations.

For something sweet, Cammie also recommends Round & Round, a “cute and yummy Asian bakery” that’s perfect for pastries and a quick sugar boost.

Drinks and quick refreshers

If you’re craving something refreshing instead, grab a drink from Tea Up, a go-to spot for authentic boba tea.

Quick bites during the celebrations

Need something more filling? Cammie didn’t hesitate: BUN is, in her words, “the best sandwich shop in Rotterdam that needs no introduction.” It’s the kind of place you stop by for a quick bite between wandering through King’s Day markets and celebrations.

If you’d rather sit down and keep the evening going with drinks and food, Pocha is a Korean restaurant where you can chill, share bites or full meals, and sip soju with friends, a perfect spot if the King’s Day party isn’t quite over yet.

Late-night recovery spots

And if the night ends a little later than planned, Cammie has two classic recovery options locals swear by. Hung Kee is where many Rotterdam partygoers end up after a long night.

Prefer shoarma instead? Jaffa, located right across the street, is the go-to move.

And last but not least: where to party

King’s Day isn’t just about street markets and orange outfits. From large outdoor festivals like Kingsland to smaller hidden gems across the Amsterdam city centre, there’s something for every type of party goer.

King's Day Guides

In this article we covered what to do during King’s Day, but if you want the complete picture, we recommend checking out two more guides.

Our Best King’s Day Parties article highlights the biggest events, venues, genres, and line-ups so you can plan your perfect celebration.

And before heading out, make sure to read King’s Day Rules. In recent years, Amsterdam authorities have introduced stricter rules to keep the city celebrations safe for everyone.

King's Day Events

If you’re looking for the full overview, head to our King's Day & Night events 2026 page where you can explore events happening across the Netherlands.

Want to buy tickets for the parties?

With TicketSwap, you can safely buy and sell tickets for the Netherlands’ biggest festivals and hidden gems. Set a ticket alert if your favourite event is sold out, and don’t miss the next drop: download the app and get your tickets in just a few taps.

Looking for more inspiration?

Check out our full magazine for more guides on festivals, events, and celebrations across the Netherlands.

FAQs

When is King’s Day celebrated in 2026?

King’s Day is celebrated on Monday 27 April 2026 in the Netherlands. The rule is simple: King’s Day normally takes place on 27 April, and only moves to 26 April when the 27th falls on a Sunday. In 2026, that exception does not apply, so the national holiday stays on its usual date.

Why is King’s Day celebrated?

King’s Day is celebrated because it marks King Willem-Alexander’s birthday. It is the Dutch national holiday, and across the Netherlands people celebrate with street parties, live music, flea markets, festivals, and lots of orange. The royal family also visits a Dutch municipality as part of the day’s celebrations.

Why do Dutch people wear orange on King’s Day?

Dutch people wear orange because it is the national colour linked to the House of Orange-Nassau, the Dutch royal family. That is why on King’s Day you will see almost everyone in orange outfits, orange accessories, and orange face paint across Amsterdam and the rest of the country.

What is King’s Day called in Dutch?

King’s Day is called Koningsdag in Dutch. You will often see both names used, especially in Amsterdam and other big cities, but they mean the same thing: the national holiday celebrating the king’s birthday.

What is King’s Day in Amsterdam like?

King’s Day in Amsterdam is one of the biggest celebrations in the Netherlands. The city centre fills with people wearing orange, canals and public spaces get busy, and the day mixes live music, street parties, flea markets, and food stalls. In many parts of Amsterdam, the celebrations begin the evening before during King’s Night.

What food is eaten on King’s Day?

One of the most iconic King’s Day treats is the oranje tompouce, an orange version of the classic Dutch pastry. Beyond that, the day is usually full of casual street food, bakery stops, snacks from market stalls, and quick bites picked up while people move through the city and enjoy the celebrations.