Queen’s Day

When: April 30
Where: The Netherlands
Cost: Free

Forget pomp and pageantry – Queen’s day in the Netherlands is all about the party.

Flags fly, music pumps and millions take to the streets for a national holiday that ostensibly marks the birthday of the former Queen Juliana.

Queen Beatrix decided to maintain the holiday her mother set, and the festivities have become an integral part of the national culture.

Every city, town and village joins in the fun: 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 on Koninginnenach. Unsurprisingly, party capital Amsterdam holds the biggest celebrations of all, with up to one million visitors joining 750,000 locals in the world’s largest street party.

There are colourful parades, concerts, theatrical displays and outrageous street entertainment. Boats with live bands and DJs 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.

Fly direct to Amsterdam with Air Malta.