The festivities begin on the night before Kings Day, when street parties take place all over Amsterdam. Different areas play different types of music, for example the Jordan may play 80's music and De Pijp, rave music. People are allowed to trade on market stalls from midnight, so if you stay up late, you might be able to pick up a bargain on the way home. There are also organised club nights, which you can buy tickets in advance to attend.
What does it involve? There is the official monarchy bit, where the King of the Netherlands selects two towns to visit. Large crowds swarm to catch a glimpse of the monarchy and displays of local entertainment are fun to watch. The main events seems to be wearing orange, (I think the wearing of orange should be classified as an event in this case) selling stuff and partying.
For those less interested in seeing the monarchy on Kings Day from dawn, you'll see people setting up their wares to sell on the pavements. The centre of Amsterdam is closed to traffic, allowing pedestrians and cyclists access to the biggest street market in Europe. The whole of Amsterdam becomes a flee market. You can find different types of purchases in different areas of the city. Vondelpark is reserved for children. The huge park is full of mini market traders, you'll see children uni-cycling, selling homemade lemonade, more toys than you can imagine, performing gymnastics, singing and playing musical instruments. We arrived at a slovenly 9.30am to set up our little stall. The park officially opens at 9am to let traders in, but some jump over the fence to get a good pitch. Venture to Apollolaan and you can find stalls selling homewares.
The party atmosphere is amazing. The main action takes place away from the stalls and along the canals. Sound systems blare out from each street corner with music that makes your inner organs vibrate. The canals are thick with boats. Each boat is crowded with beer-drinking dancing party goers, some so full, passenger can't sit down. Some boats lilt dangerously as they chug slowly along competing for attention from those watching alongside the canals. Most boats each have their own sound systems, some have explosives, which release thousands of orange tiny orange tissue paper into the sky. Stall holders here can be seen selling beer and laughing gas, the coffee shops are open and the air is thick with the smell of weed.
The highlight of my day was seeing some Hare Krishnas in Zuid station and selling cakes and balloons on our little stall in Vondelpark.
