Kings Day Celebrations 2016

Since moving to the Netherlands, Queens Day was one of my favourite public holidays. A day to dress up in orange and go shopping for second hand items is something I love! Two years ago Queens Day changed to Kings Day for the first time, celebrated now on the April 27th as it marks the birth of King Willem-Alexander.

What I love about Kings Day is that most shops are closed and the city becomes more alive than usual with people wanting to make money from selling their belongings or people wanting to buy! I also love that the Royal family visit a different village each year where they see local talent from schools, art displays and games that they join in on. They get so close and personal with everyone who attends that village to see them and get involved with trying the local cheese or dancing to a performance.

Back in 2011 my mum and little sister were visiting me in Rotterdam and they got to experience how much the Dutch love celebrating in orange! Lots of stores start selling orange coloured clothes, accessories and food three weeks before the official date, with a favourite treat being an orange coloured tompouce! (a Dutch pastry cake with cream filling).

My little sister also loved the day, pictured below with my partner’s mum. It was so fun for her to dress up in orange and spend her money on random stuff she liked, that would also fit in her suitcase back to the UK.

I’m a big fan of recycling and shopping for second hand items for the house or my closet. A week before the holiday I start getting excited and checking out the weather hoping for the sun. I also start thinking of all the things I want to find or plan on looking for, with hope that I will succeed with as little money as possible!

People who decide to sell their belongings start setting up their stall/area in the city from as early at 6am, with the latecomers joining around 10am. By 9am I am normally already looking at peoples stalls to see if I can buy some great stuff before other buyers do!

Since running 10km for the Rotterdam Marathon I have been extremely motivated to reach my fitness goals and invest in new active clothes. So the main thing on my list for 2016 is to find anything related to fitness! Clothes, weights, accessories etc.

Tomorrow is the day I have been waiting for. Hopefully the weather will be dry and sunny for tomorrows Kings Day, because today the Netherlands has had rain, hail and even places of snow! If your joining in with the celebrations, don’t forget to wear orange!