Queen’s Day Netherlands is an important day in the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles, and Aruba. It is also referred to as Koninginnedag. It is a public holiday. Queen’s Day is observed on April 30 or April 29 every year in case April 30 is a Sunday.
Queen’s Day Netherlands: An Overview
Queen’s Day Netherlands is observed to mark the birthday of the Queen of the country. It is assumed to be an occasion of national harmony and integrity.
History of Queen’s Day Netherlands
The custom began on August 31, 1885, on the birthday of Princess Wilhelmina, who subsequently became Queen Wilhelmina. Following the taking over of Queen Juliana in 1949, the day is celebrated on April 30 or the birthday of Queen Juliana. Despite the fact that the birthday of Queen Beatrix is on January 31, she formally observes her birthday on April 30.
The contemporary observation of this prestigious occasion was initially planned by the Liberal Union, a Dutch Liberal Political Party, to be a day of countrywide harmony in the Netherlands.
From 1885 to 1890, the event was known as Princess’ Day or Prinsessedag, before the enthronement of Wilhelmina in 1890. Since 31 August 1891, the celebration was called Koninginnedag or Queen’s Day.
The day was not only the Queen’s birthday, but also the last day of the summer holiday, which made the festivities admirable with kids.
Highlights of Queen’s Day Netherlands Activities
Free market (‘vrijmarkt’)
This day is famous for its “freemarket” (Dutch: vrijmarkt) throughout the nation, where everyone is permitted to sell commodities on the roads.
Queen’s Night
The night ahead of this day is observed in majority of cities as well. This is known as Queen’s Night (In Dutch language: Koninginnenacht). The biggest festivity of Queen’s Day takes place in Amsterdam, Queen’s Dance (in Dutch language: Koninginnedans) in Rotterdam and Queen’s Night in The Hague.
Children’s games and other programs
Other activities on this day include children’s games, musical performances, and individual musical shows. During the festivities, people put on orange-colored attires to address the colors of the House of Orange-Nassau. On certain occasions, this activity is known as “orange craze” (in Dutch language: oranjegekte).