Every once in a while, a holiday hits different. It’s not just a day off work or an excuse to day drink—it’s a whole vibe, a full-body experience of tradition, celebration, and straight-up cultural pride. That’s King’s Day (Koningsdag) in the Netherlands. And whether you’ve celebrated before or are just now learning about it, we’re here to give you the lowdown on what’s arguably one of the world’s most colorful, authentic street festivals.
At Beard Bros Pharms, we live for culture. Especially culture that brings people together, embraces history, and—let’s be real—knows how to throw a party. King’s Day checks all the boxes.
Orange You Glad It’s Koningsdag?
Let’s start with the basics: King’s Day or Koningsdag, the locals would say, is a national holiday in the Netherlands that celebrates the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. His big day is April 27, but if that lands on a Sunday, like in 2025, the country gets down a day early—Saturday, April 26 becomes the official day off and the real party.
Now, when we say the Dutch go all in for King’s Day, we mean it. Think of a whole country decked out in bright orange, the national color tied to the Dutch royal family—the House of Orange-Nassau. You’ve got people from all walks of life rocking orange wigs, face paint, jumpsuits, hats, even full tracksuits. This isn’t subtle patriotism—it’s a neon-colored celebration of unity and identity. And it’s contagious.
A Grassroots Celebration at Scale
This is where things get real Beard Bros. King’s Day isn’t just about government-sponsored fireworks or fancy royal appearances (although those happen, too). This is a bottom-up celebration, fueled by everyday people setting up shop, spinning tunes, and turning their streets into impromptu festivals.
One of the most iconic aspects of King’s Day is the free-market tradition. Normally, you’d need permits to sell goods in public spaces—but not on Koningsdag. On this day, anyone can set up a street stall or lay down a blanket and sell whatever they want, from vintage gear to homemade snacks and drinks. It’s like the world’s biggest flea market meets an EDM block party meets a family cookout. And it’s all happening at once.
You want grassroots? This is it. You want commerce, community, and culture intersecting in a way that’s totally people-powered? King’s Day is proof that when the barriers come down, creativity thrives.
The Epicenter: Amsterdam (a.k.a. Orange Ground Zero)
Let’s talk Amsterdam. If you’ve never been, imagine a city already buzzing with history, canals, and that famous Dutch chill—then inject a couple million extra people into its streets, boats, balconies, and rooftops, all dancing, trading, and toasting the king with a glass of Oranjebitter (a traditional orange liqueur).
Boats cruise the canals blasting music with folks in orange packed like sardines onboard. Parks become playgrounds for live performances. Rooftops become DJ booths. And the air? Full of laughter, music, and that unmistakable earthy aroma (you know the one).
And yes, the cannabis culture is alive and well. While King’s Day isn’t officially a weed holiday, coffeeshops are booming, locals and tourists alike toke up respectfully, and the mood is extremely 420-friendly. No drama. No bad vibes. Just chilled-out energy wrapped in orange fabric and good intentions.
Like any good sesh, King’s Day starts with a warm-up. The night before—Koningsnacht—is when the pre-party kicks off. Bars spill into the streets, clubs throw massive shows, and the whole country eases into celebration mode.
Cities like The Hague go all in with live music festivals, outdoor performances, and beer gardens. It’s the kind of scene that proves the Dutch know how to build energy and pace themselves, which, let’s be honest, we could all take notes on.
Night Before: Koningsnacht (Because One Day Just Isn’t Enough)
One of the dopest aspects of King’s Day is how intergenerational it is. This isn’t just a young person’s rave or a nostalgic holiday for the boomers—it’s everyone, everywhere, doing their thing.
In Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s biggest public park, kids take over. They sing, perform, sell toys, play instruments, and experience entrepreneurship and community firsthand. It’s beautiful, honestly. Because for all the adult-level partying, King’s Day also plants seeds for the next generation about tradition, identity, and the power of coming together.
The deeper truth behind King’s Day is that it’s more than orange outfits and beer-fueled boat rides. It’s a celebration of Dutch values—freedom, openness, creativity, and connection. It’s also a living reminder that the best parties don’t come from flashy corporate sponsors but from real people building something beautiful together.
At Beard Bros Pharms, that ethos hits home. We’ve always been about community first. We believe in celebrating legacy, showing up authentically, and elevating voices that deserve to be heard. King’s Day might be Dutch, but its soul is universal. It reminds us what happens when barriers drop, people show up, and joy becomes the only rule.
Thinking About Going? Here’s the Move.
If you’re looking for a reason to book a trip to Europe in the spring, this is it. Grab your orange gear, plan for a chill April 26th-27th, and immerse yourself in a grassroots celebration that lives at the intersection of art, trade, music, and freedom.
Oh, and pro tip: don’t forget to hit up a coffeeshop or two, soak in the chill, and make some international sesh buddies. Just remember—wherever you are in the world, culture is something to be honored, shared, and passed down.
Want us to keep spotlighting global events like this? Got your own King’s Day experience? Hit us up and share your stories. We’re always here for the culture.
