2011-04-30
(Archive)
Queen's Day
Queen's Day celebrates the birthday of the former Queen Juliana and is one of the largest, most vibrant celebrations in the Dutch calendar. Flags fly, music pumps and millions take to the streets for a national holiday.
Queen Beatrix decided to maintain the holiday her mother set, and the
festivities have become an integral part of the national culture. Every
city and town in the country transforms itself into a fairground: bright
orange pendants wave in the wind; town choirs welcome the day; all
shops are shut and all trade is unregulated - the streets become an
open-air market as attics are emptied for hidden treasures to sell.
The fun traditionally begins the evening before Queen's Day with KoninginneNach. In Amsterdam, the crowds gather along the waterfront by night hoping for a decent spot to watch the celebrations.
The larger the town, the larger the party and Amsterdam holds the
biggest of all, with more than a million people thronging the streets.
There are parades, concerts, theatrical displays and street
entertainment. Boats with live bands line the canal as fireworks explode
in the sky. The main areas of activity in Amsterdam are Dam,
Leidsestraat, Rokin and Spui. Vondelpark caters for children, while
bands play on Prinsengracht and Rembrandtsplein.
When: 30 Apr 2011
Where: The Netherlands
From: whatsonwhen.com
last modification: 2011-03-10
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