What is Queen’s Day? I guess if you are not from Holland it must be one of the strangest festivals you have ever seen. People are going wild and there are parties everywhere throughout the whole country and in Amsterdam above all. Cities, villages, and even the people are all covered in orange. Why? Why is it such a big deal? It’s the Queen’s birthday! Well actually… it’s the birthday of the mother of the Queen. Originally the celebration started out as a free market, the only day in the year when the Dutch go out on the street, and basically gather all the junk they can find in their house, and try to sell it on the market.

Along with the market during the years, more and more parties were organised. Queen Juliana passed away, and along with that the original reason to celebrate as well. However, it had become a tradition for the Dutch, a national holiday.

Places like Amsterdam evolved the most. There you will really find the whole city orange during Queen’s Day. Amsterdam that on a regular base attracts many tourists already, really turns into a major party on this Day. Many street concerts are organised, all the bars and clubs are open, and many other activities are organised. It has the atmosphere of a good night in a club, but then out there in the open and it goes on day and night. What started as a tradition is nowadays just more of an excuse to go wild!!

Photo Credit: rbowen | Holiday Velvet has holiday apartments in Amsterdam.