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Holiday · 2034

King's Day 2034

King's Day falls on Thursday, 27 April 2034 in the 1 countries that observe it.

Dates by country

King's Day 2034 by country
CountryDateLocal name
NetherlandsThu 27 AprKoningsdag

What is King's Day?

King's Day, Koningsdag in Dutch, is the national holiday of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, celebrating the birthday of the reigning monarch. King Willem-Alexander was born on 27 April 1967 and became king in 2013, and the holiday has been held on his birthday since 2014. It is observed in the Netherlands and in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, and on the Caribbean Netherlands islands, where on Bonaire Dia di Rincon on 30 April is more popular.

The day is known for its sea of orange, the colour of the House of Orange-Nassau, with people wearing orange clothes, face paint and wigs. Towns hold a vrijmarkt, a free market on which anyone can sell second-hand goods without a permit, and there are music festivals and street parties, and in Amsterdam a famous boat party on the canals. The king and royal family visit a different town each year. Children often perform music or sell small items in the street.

Why it is observed

The holiday began in 1885 as a princess's day, on 31 August, the birthday of Princess Wilhelmina, and became Queen's Day after she became queen in 1890 (first held as such in 1891). After Juliana became queen in 1948 it moved to her birthday, 30 April. Queen Beatrix, born on 31 January, kept 30 April in honour of her mother, since January is less suitable for outdoor events; it was also the date she became queen in 1980. When Willem-Alexander succeeded her on 30 April 2013, the holiday became King's Day and moved to his birthday. The first King's Day was held on 26 April 2014, because 27 April was a Sunday.

How the date is set

King's Day is fixed on 27 April, the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. When 27 April falls on a Sunday, it is celebrated on Saturday 26 April instead.

How it is observed

King's Day is a national holiday in the Netherlands, and many shops, banks and offices close, although street markets and large events are open to everyone. Amsterdam and other cities are very crowded, with traffic restrictions and busy public transport, and hotels fill early. In 2027 it falls on a Tuesday. It is not a statutory day off for every worker, so entitlement to pay and time off depends on the employer and collective agreements.

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Questions

Good to know

When is King's Day in 2034?

Thursday, 27 April 2034 in all 1 countries that observe it (Netherlands).

Which countries observe King's Day?

In our coverage: Netherlands. Only holidays that apply across a whole country are counted.

Why is King's Day observed?

The holiday began in 1885 as a princess's day, on 31 August, the birthday of Princess Wilhelmina, and became Queen's Day after she became queen in 1890 (first held as such in 1891). After Juliana became queen in 1948 it moved to her birthday, 30 April. Queen Beatrix, born on 31 January, kept 30 April in honour of her mother, since January is less suitable for outdoor events; it was also the date she became queen in 1980. When Willem-Alexander succeeded her on 30 April 2013, the holiday became King's Day and moved to his birthday. The first King's Day was held on 26 April 2014, because 27 April was a Sunday.

How is the date of King's Day set?

King's Day is fixed on 27 April, the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. When 27 April falls on a Sunday, it is celebrated on Saturday 26 April instead.