Celebrated on the 30th of April, this is a day where the Dutch (and anyone else living here) get together to celebrate the Queen’s birthday (her birthday is actually on the 31st of January!).
Having said that, it’s more so a day of togetherness and fun which isn’t totally focused on the Queen.
I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this day because experienced Koninginnedag goers dub this event “insane”, “massive” and “messy”. The day certainly was those three things, but I had the most fantastic time! It’s like a giant street party with people selling their old possessions on the side of the road, buskers playing live music and DJ’s on podiums making the giant crowd dance like idiots.
Our friend Amanda had gone to the effort of organizing a cupcake and cocktail stand which made the day even more authentic. She even let me bring in some coconut lemon kisses I baked to sell at her stall! It was funny watching random people coming buy and eating my treats, nodding their head in appreciation.
Once she was done with her stall a whole group of us wandered through the streets and stopped off at the DJ podium I mentioned earlier where we screamed along to Rage Against The Machine and did the running man to 90’s songs I can’t even remember (too many curb-side cocktails were consumed).
There’s not too much more to say about the day, other than the fact that pretty much everyone dresses in orange (Netherland’s favorite color) and the vibe on the streets was so peaceful and fun. I couldn’t imagine this kind of event in Sydney without bogans causing trouble in their Australian flag capes.
At the top of a bike parking building in Amsterdam, you can see all the people streaming out of the station behind us
Even the dogs dress up in orange!
There is a bridge behind these people, it took 20 minutes to cross it!
Amanda's cupcake stall
Amanda
My coconut and lemon kisses
Party boat!
Who likes to party? I'm not sure if that old man next to me does....
Boys will be boys
Tags: Amsterdam, cocktails, cupcakes, fun, Holland, Koninginnedag, live music, netherlands, queens day, street party, traditions
July 13, 2009 at 4:01 am |
Drats! I wish I was there on that day I would have had a ball.
July 13, 2009 at 12:09 pm |
Oh that looks so much fun! Europe is amazingg *daydreams*