For anyone who spent Kings Day in the Netherlands, you know that this day is not just a celebration, but rather a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
This special day for Dutch people turns the streets of the whole country orange with music playing everywhere. All cities are filled with people of all ages, coming together to celebrate in a way that feels both chaotic and perfectly organized at the same time.
However, we feel that no one talks about what happens if you’re not there?
For many Dutch expats living abroad, Kings Day hits differently. It’s one of those moments that makes the nostalgia for your home country a bit stronger, but also pushes you to recreate that feeling, wherever you are, on your own terms!
How do Dutch people celebrate Kings Day in the Netherlands?
Typically celebrated on April 27th, Kings Day is one of the biggest and most iconic events in the Netherlands.
The entire country dresses in orange (the national color of the Netherlands) and takes over the streets. Cities, canals, parks: everything turns into one big celebration filled with joyful and energetic atmosphere.
One of the most unique traditions is the “vrijmarkt” (free market), where anyone can sell second-hand items on the street. It’s like a giant flea market, but with music, food, and a festive vibe!
To all of this, add as well live performances, parties, and spontaneous gatherings.
Now, you get the point of how this day makes participants in it feel like - completely alive!
Why does Kings Day feel so unique?
What makes Kings Day so special and unique isn’t just the activities throughout the day of celebrations - it’s the atmosphere!
There’s no strict schedule, no pressure to celebrate in a certain way. People just go out, meet friends, talk to strangers, and enjoy the day to the fullest.
It’s relaxed, open, and social. For one day, the whole country seems to be on the same wavelength.
That’s what makes it unforgettable, but at the same time hard to replicate when you’re abroad.
What Dutch expats miss the most about Kings Day?
Living abroad should be considered as a privilege by every expat. However, it always comes with some traditions that are hard to replace or replicate.
And Kings Day is definitely one of them.
The orange atmosphere
It’s not just about wearing orange. It’s about everyone wearing orange.
That shared visual identity creates a strong sense of belonging, bringing people together during this special Dutch day.
When you’re an expat living abroad, putting on an orange t-shirt just doesn’t feel the same when no one else is doing it.
The FOMO of missing all street celebrations
Being abroad and seeing all your friends in the Netherlands celebrating in the same way, but this time without you, can be heartbreaking, and we get it…
Being a foreigner in another country makes it hard to recreate the spontaneous energy of Kings Day.
Flea markets, street music, random conversations: these are things that naturally happen in the Netherlands, but they need to be “forced” and pre-organised if celebrating Kings Day somewhere abroad in Europe.
That is why Dutch people tend to miss the unpredictability that Kings Day brings in the Netherlands.
The “Anything Goes” Feeling
There’s something very freeing about Kings Day.
The rules feel more relaxed, people are more open, and the whole environment encourages you to just enjoy the moment.
That kind of atmosphere and freedom is difficult to find abroad, especially when you're fighting to “normalise” your life there and make it more stable.
And that’s exactly why it stands out!
How do Dutch expats recreate Kings Day abroad?
Even though it’s not the same, Dutch expats find their own ways to keep the tradition alive while living outside the Netherlands. Here is how:
Organizing small gatherings
Instead of city-wide celebrations, it often starts with something more modest in a small circle of other Dutch friends or even international expats, wanting to enjoy the Dutch culture as well.
House parties, meetups with friends, or even just a casual drink together. It’s not about the scale, it’s about the intention of celebrating on your own terms.
Wearing orange anyway
Yes, even if no one else gets it!
Wearing orange abroad becomes even more important than dressing in this specific colour in the Netherlands.
Why? Because when crossing somebody on the streets, proudly wearing orange, you will instantly know that this a representative of Dutch expats living abroad.
Therefore, this is not only a tradition anymore, but rather a symbol of cultural inheritance.
It’s a small way of staying connected to home and keeping the tradition alive.
Dutch communities and events abroad
In some cities, Dutch expat communities organize Kings Day events every year, in order to try and replicate as much as they can the atmosphere of this festive day.
These can be anything from bar gatherings to bigger celebrations. It’s a chance to meet people who share the same background, but also the same nostalgia over their home country.
Bringing traditions into new places
Some Dutch expats recreate parts of the celebration as well: Dutch music, food, drinks, or even small flea markets.
And sometimes, it becomes a mix of cultures: a little bit of the Netherlands, blended with wherever you are in this particular moment, celebrating with other international people.
It could be said that this is the true meaning of living in a world without any borders!
Is Kings Day celebrated outside the Netherlands?
If we have to answer with one word: YES!
However, it is different for the various countries across Europe.
In cities with large international communities, you might find Kings Day events organized by Dutch groups or local venues, making the atmosphere very similar to the one in the Netherlands.
However, it’s usually much smaller and more low-key compared to the original one.
Still, these events show how traditions don’t stay in one place, but rather travel with people and accompany them throughout many life experiences, being a little part of every decision they take.
What Kings Day teaches you about living abroad?
Living abroad changes the way you see traditions:
You start appreciating home traditions more
Every expat knows that when you’re away from home, things you once took for granted suddenly feel special.
Kings Day becomes more than just a fun day for Dutch people, once they relocate abroad. It rather transforms its role into a connection to home, bringing comfort to the expats rather than that much excitement.
You create your own version of “home”
You might not be able to recreate everything exactly the same for Kings Day, but you find new ways to celebrate it, on your own terms.
And in doing so, you build something new: your own version of this tradition!
Culture travels with you
As you probably know it, the most important part of any tradition isn’t the place, but the people.
Wherever you go, you carry a part of your culture with you, and the beauty hides in the fact that you decide who to share it with.
Having said that, Kings Day is a perfect example of it!
How can you celebrate Kings Day abroad even if you’re not Dutch?
As we said, you don’t have to be Dutch to enjoy Kings Day.
If you’re curious, you can always:
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wear something orange
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join a local event
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celebrate with friends
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or simply learn about the tradition
It’s one of those celebrations that welcomes everyone by its festivity and joyful atmosphere, being just one big outstreet party!
It’s not the same…But It’s still special
Kings Day abroad will never feel exactly like it does in the Netherlands.
But that doesn’t mean it loses its meaning at all. If anything, it becomes even more personal, as you as a Dutch expat are given a proof of your cultural identity through this special day.
Because in the end, it’s not just about where you are. It’s about how you choose to celebrate, remember, and reconnect with your roots.
And sometimes, recreating a tradition in a new place makes it even more unique!
