Queens Day Amsterdam 2011 - It’s party time!!!
Monday, 28 March 2011
I know, I know. We’re just 1 month into the traditional business season. But how many things can you mention that will truly take your mind of things? Well, I can think of something. Something that will undoubtedly take your mind off things. A huge mindblowing party. I have got a party that is worthy of a combination with a short Stay in Amsterdam.Amsterdam has gained international fame as a city where great parties take place. I would like to highlight 1 of the bigger public parties for you that is worth joining: Queens Day. I personally believe it is amongst the best parties in the city of Amsterdam.
Some Queens Day facts:
- About 800.000 people will come to visit the city centre to celebrate Queen’s day, it gets busy. Easiest form of access is by train. In all honesty, there are no alternatives to get into Amsterdam. The city gets packed. On top, everybody that lives in Amsterdam (about 900.000 people) also joins the party.
On the 30th of April the birthday of Queen Juliana is being celebrated. Queen Juliana is a former Queen of the Netherlands, not the reigning queen. The reigning Queen does party along though, and actually also celebrates her personal birthday on the 30th of April, whilst she was born on the 31st of January. What a cool Queen we have.
Some Queens day fun:
- The party starts the night before already (called Queens night). Try to brace yourself, as you still have a full night and a day of partying to go from this point onwards.
- Orange. No better, orange craze. The entire country is infected. Everything simply turns bright orange. I really mean everything. Clothes, faces, buildings, balloons, wigs, hats, even pets.You name it. Orange is the national color of The Netherlands, and we love to share that with you. Queens Day is our favorite day to do so.
- Walk around bit in the city center and make a tour over a couple of canals. If you can find your way through that is. You will find masses of people everywhere, flea markets all over, Heineken flows richly on every street corner you can find.
- The main areas to hit:
- Museumplein: Radio 538 throws the biggest free open air concert of the Netherlands here. About 300.000 people partied here during the day last year according measured stats.
- Jordaan: The party is carried by the local crowd and some of the famous bars and clubs in this area. A very nice area to pass through.
- Leidseplein: Students sell beer for a Euro out of their society and you can find another open air stage with lots of different shows going on.
- Rembrandtplein: Slam FM gets the crowd going here with plenty of internationally famous DJ’s and artists.
- Thorbeckeplein. This is where you’ll mainly be able to listen to Dutch national hits. A bit less fun for expats possibly, but the atmosphere is till great. A beer might do wonders to your understanding of the Dutch language.
- Vondelpark. A kids organized flea market here during the day, so the whole family gets to enjoy Queens Day in this beautiful park.
- Westerpark. Still have energy after enjoying a bit of the above? Join the afterparty. Starts at 8pm on Queensday goes on till 5am. In all honesty, pick either Queens night, or join this party. Otherwise you'd be partying non-stop for say 37 hours in a row.
For mobile addicts like me, try and download this http://www.layar.com/layers/koninginnedagamsterdam onto your cellphone (Iphone, Android, Ovi).
I have to admit, I did not download this reality browser yet, but apparently it contains info about all events on Queens day itself. Sounds fancy enough to me to share with you.
Enjoy the fun!
With warm regards,
Ingmar Sloothaak
General Manager
Htel Serviced Apartments
