Orange
by Rene Geensen
Why do the Dutch wear orange? The answer is simple: Orange is the color of the Dutch Royal Family, which hails from the House of Orange (Huis van Oranje) and has thus become the national color.
But how did orange become the national color of the Netherlands? It all started with Willem of Orange, who was born as Willem of Nassau-Dillenburg in 1533. At the age of 11, he inherited the Principality of Orange located in the south of France, which made him a sovereign monarch. After leading the Dutch revolt against Spain, Willem of Orange-Nassau became known as Willem of Orange. When he successfully captured the city of Den Briel from Spain, people began using orange as a symbolic color for the first time. Today, he is considered the Father of the Fatherland, and Dutch people wear orange as a symbol of national unity and pride.
King's Day is one of the most celebrated parties in the Netherlands as the Dutch people love a good party. It's a national holiday that commemorates King Willem-Alexander's birthday with music, dancing, fun fairs, and flea markets. It's a tradition to dress up in orange during this festive occasion. If you're in the Netherlands, King's Day is a must-attend event that you wouldn't want to miss out on!
Before the Dutch monarchy was passed down to King Willem-Alexander, Queen Beatrix was the head of state and Queen's Day was celebrated on 30 April. However, since 2014, the holiday has been renamed King's Day to reflect the new monarch's gender and is now celebrated on 27 April by everyone in the Netherlands, including the royal family.
Every year, it is a tradition for the Dutch King and his family to visit a different municipality in the Netherlands. This allows the locals to showcase their city and the surrounding areas in their unique and festive way. In recent years, cities like Eindhoven, Maastricht, and Amersfoort have been chosen to be the backdrop for this joyous day of celebration. Most spectators dress in orange from head to toe and proudly wave Dutch flags or paint the small tricolour on their cheeks.
King's Day is celebrated across the country with great enthusiasm, offering visitors of all ages a multitude of events and activities to enjoy. One of the most popular traditions is visiting flea markets, where you can score great second-hand items and sample homemade delicacies sold by residents at very reasonable prices. These markets can be found in most cities and towns. If you want to experience this for yourself, why not visit the flea market in Utrecht and take a stroll along the canals to observe the festively decorated boats? There are also numerous parties and performances in the city's squares, such as Domplein, Lucasbolwerk, Mariaplaats, Neude, and Janskerkhof. Regardless of which city you choose to visit on April 27th, you are sure to have a blast. Fun fairs are held throughout the country, and you can partake in traditional Dutch games such as bite-the-cake and throwing toilet bowls, among others. Celebrations in the Netherlands are not just limited to King's Day. We highly recommend being there during the so-called King's Night as well, which takes place on the night before King's Day. In many cities across the country, King's Night is celebrated with great enthusiasm. You can enjoy live music in pubs and on the streets, and DJs play in restaurants or clubs. It is a fun and friendly evening for dancing and celebrating together ahead of the King's birthday. There are also numerous free festivals you can visit during King's Night, such as The Life I Live-festival in the royal city of The Hague, the Deventer King's festival in Deventer, the Royal Dutch in Eindhoven, and the Foute Oranjefeest in Arnhem. If festivals aren’t your thing, you can have a great time at the many pubs, bars, and squares where you can enjoy a fun night out.
