Queen's Day
Apr 7th, 2006 | 11:45 AM
#2
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,641
Likes: 0
Do - have fun, everyone else is - one of the very most pleasant city-wide festivals i've ever witnessed! Note on Apr 29 this year instead of the usual 30th due to that being a Sunday.
Don't - be scared away by stories of huge mobs - that's the attraction along with the citywide flea market where anyone can stake out a space on the sidewalks and sell anything they want - also bands everywhere - jazz bands on boats floating thru the canals and huge youth-oriented concerts on the Museumplein.
When i was there recently, the night before i walked thru Museumplein and was struck by the several huge tanker trucks from Dutch breweries setting up shop there to quake the Queens Day revelers thirst - by seeing that i knew what a party it must be!
Don't - be scared away by stories of huge mobs - that's the attraction along with the citywide flea market where anyone can stake out a space on the sidewalks and sell anything they want - also bands everywhere - jazz bands on boats floating thru the canals and huge youth-oriented concerts on the Museumplein.
When i was there recently, the night before i walked thru Museumplein and was struck by the several huge tanker trucks from Dutch breweries setting up shop there to quake the Queens Day revelers thirst - by seeing that i knew what a party it must be!
Apr 7th, 2006 | 12:48 PM
#4
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 0
Start early - we were there last year for queen's day quite by accident. Voldelpark has a huge flea market just for children, there will be bands playing on most streets or on scaffolds above the street; many shops will be closed but you'll be able to find street vendors and plenty to eat. Find a spot and just people watch!! Defninitely, check out the concerts, watch the boats in the canals, be prepared for huge crowds and don't get freaked out - wear orange for sure. the garbage, paper and oveflowing public urinals will be a bit much but by the next morning, there is almost no sign of the party! I think my report is still on this board if you want more info.
Apr 29th, 2006 | 03:07 PM
#6
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 0
Do: Find a way to get one of those nifty orange inflatable crowns to wear on your head. Makes a great souvenir too!
Do: Bring something orange to wear. I brought along an orange t-shirt. My mom wore an orange scarf and blouse.
Do: Get on that Ferris Wheel on Dam Square at night. We lived in the hotel next door and loved being on the Ferris Wheel every night.
Do: Walk along the Damrak and partake in the celebrations. I also found it nice to walk the Damrak after the celebrations.
I love Amsterdam on Queen's Day, aka Koninginnedag, which I just realized was celebrated earlier today in the Netherlands!
Do: Bring something orange to wear. I brought along an orange t-shirt. My mom wore an orange scarf and blouse.
Do: Get on that Ferris Wheel on Dam Square at night. We lived in the hotel next door and loved being on the Ferris Wheel every night.
Do: Walk along the Damrak and partake in the celebrations. I also found it nice to walk the Damrak after the celebrations.
I love Amsterdam on Queen's Day, aka Koninginnedag, which I just realized was celebrated earlier today in the Netherlands!
