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Thursday 27 April 2023
King's Day is officially the national celebration of the birthday of the King, but this in reality is only an excuse to party hard. The celebrations takes place all over the Netherlands, but have a special atmosphere in Amsterdam.
In Amsterdam, King's Day [formerly Queen's Day] is by far the largest open-air festivity, with estimated 750.000 people come to the city, wisely arriving by train.
Places in centre like Rembrandtplein, Spui and Leidseplein are bursting with crowds celebrating and wearing orange. On King's Day, all street trade all over the city is unregulated, so it is also the time for second-hand shopping. In Vondelpark the children show their business talents offering various attractions.
Party venues and times during Kings Day
From 9:00 most cafés and terraces are open. Just like most of the free street markets. Most events begin at 12:00 hrs [midday]. You will find these free orange festivals everywhere throughout the city center. The biggest and most popular party venues are in the Westerstraat, Prinsengracht and Reguliersdwarsstraat.
All outdoor activities, like the free street markets and the big organized music parties, will end at 20:00 hrs. The King's party then continues inside all the pubs and clubs until deep into the night.
Museums on King’s Day
While the majority of Amsterdam's major museums and attractions are closed on King’s Day, several notable visitor hotspots traditionally stay open.
FAQ
Here you will find a list of frequently asked questions concerning King's Day in Amsterdam.
Location: City centre
Location
City centre
Other events in Amsterdam
- Nationale Dodenherdenking;
Thursday 4 May 2023 - Ice Amsterdam;
Saturday 12 November 2022 – Sunday 5 February 2023 - King's Day;
Thursday 27 April 2023 - Grachtenfestival;
August - Heritage Days;
Second Saturday and / or second Sunday in September - Gay Canal Pride Amsterdam;
Saturday 5 August 2023
Entire list
This post covers things to do in Amsterdam during February, including family-friendly, nighttime, and free or cheap activities, all updated for 2022. Read about the average weather in February in Amsterdam.
TOP 10 EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO IN FEBRUARY IN AMSTERDAM
This section will feature our top 10 activities to enjoy in Amsterdam throughout February. We also have a post on things to do at any time of the year.
For tips on the most popular activities in Amsterdam, check out these popular posts:
- Walking Tours
- Bus Tours
- Canal Cruises
- Bike Tours
Several of the items below are already included for free with the purchase of a tourist discount pass.
1] Go to a Concert
In February, there are a number of excellent performers in Amsterdam.
The city has a vibrant music scene all year-round, so there is no shortage of bands to see. See who's playing in February here.
- Melanie C | Feb 8th
- Trippie Redd | Feb 9th, 10th
- Dropkick Murphy's | Feb 17th
- AURORA | Feb 18th, 19th
- Idles | Feb 19th
- The Lumineers | Feb 20th
- Biffy Clyro | Feb 22nd
- Bring Me the Horizon | Feb 23rd
- Moonchild | Feb 25th
- Band of Horses | Feb 28th
- Snoop Dogg | Feb 28th
You can find all the Amsterdam concerts in February here.
2] Take a Sightseeing Tour
On days when February's temperatures are a bit too cold to explore the city on foot, you can take a hop-on hop-off bus tour and stay warm.
If you're on a budget or want to take advantage of a nice day, take a free walking tour of Amsterdam.
For foodies, check out a food tour or a tour combo-package that includes The Heineken Experience.
3] See a Football Match
If you've never seen a European football match, now is a great opportunity as Amsterdam's Ajax team is one of the best football teams in the Netherlands.
Football [Soccer]:
- Heracles Almelo | Feb 6th
- FC Twente | Feb 13th
Sports fans may enjoy the behind-the-scenes tour of the official Ajax arena for just €16 for adults and €11 for children. The tour is free for Amsterdam Pass holders.
See what other Amsterdam sporting events are happening in February.
4] Go to the Banksy Exhibition
The Moco Museum is hosting an exhibition called Banksy: Laugh Now until February 27th, which means this will be one of your last opportunities to see it!
If you're a fan of Banksy's work, this is a wonderful opportunity to see some of the artist's most noteworthy pieces on display.
Moco Museum also has the following limited exhibits which will be leaving at the end of the month:
- Yayoi Kusama Collection
- Studio Irma: Reflecting Forward
- THE KID: The Future Is Old
All you'll need to see each of these exhibitions is a standard ticket to the Moco Museum!
NOTE: Admission to this museum is included with some Amsterdam tourist passes.
5] Celebrate Valentines Day
If you're visiting Amsterdam with your partner during Valentine's Day weekend, there are a variety of fun and romantic activities you can enjoy.
Here are a few of the best ideas for couples:
- Private Romantic Canal Cruise
- Half-Day Tour of Zaanse Schans
- Enjoy a Meal at the Hard Rock Cafe
- Concert at the Royal Concertgebouw
- Countryside Bike Tour w/ Cheese Tasting
- Let's Call It a Date: STRAAT Date Night
In addition to these options, you may also want to consider a quick trip to the Floating Flower Market to find the perfect flowers for your loved one.
6] Go on a Pub Crawl/Beer Tour
Since it tends to be cold in Amsterdam this time of year, you might want to consider warming up with a drink.
If you're looking for the best bars and drinks in the city, a pub crawl can help you become more familiar with the area.
Here are a few pub crawls you can take in Amsterdam:
- Amsterdam Shared Bar Crawl
- Amsterdam Craft Beer Tour
- Brew Bus Craft Beer Tour
In addition to these options, you might also want to consider a trip to the House of Bols or the Heineken Experience.
7] See Amsterdam's Red Light District
The Red Light District is famous for its red-lit windows where legal prostitutes wait for customers.
Since it has been legal since 1811, visitors have been fascinated by the openness of the practice.
There are some things you should be aware of before heading over to this unique neighborhood, which is why we suggest you consider touring the district with a professional guide.
Read our post on How to Visit the Red Light District to find out what tours are available and what else there is to do in the district.
8] Enjoy Stand-up Comedy
Although there won't be many famous comedians coming to Amsterdam this month, there will still be quite a few opportunities to see some live stand-up comedy.
One of the best options is the Boom Chicago Comedy Show, an English-language performance which satirizes the sitcoms of the 90s. This show is offered every Friday night at 8:00 pm.
Alternatively, you can also enjoy stand-up while traversing the canals on the Amsterdam Comedy Show Cruise. This outing includes a free beer or glass of wine!
9] Explore a Market
There are multiple markets running during February!
Head to Sunday Market at Westergas on February 6th to find clothing, art, handmade goods, delicious street food, and kid-focused toys and trinkets.
Museumplein hosts a market on February 20th with more art, handmade crafts, food vendors, and live musical entertainment.
If you're a big flea market fan, you won't want to miss the weekend-long IJ-Hallen at NDSM-wharf.
There will be 500 indoor vendors and stands with various goods, clothing items, household decor, toys, and trinkets.
10] Save with a Tourist Attraction Discount Pass
The easiest way to see more attractions in Amsterdam is by purchasing a discount pass. These tourist passes work by allowing you to bundle admission tickets for heavy discounts.
You could get up to 50% off retail prices on several passes – or get in for free with an all-inclusive pass.
Attractions on Various Passes Include:
- Rijksmuseum
- Rembrandt House Museum
- Heineken Experience
- Hop-On-Hop-Off Boat or Bus Tour
- ARTIS Zoo
- Madame Tussauds [with Fast Track Entry]
- Amsterdam Dungeon
See which pass can save you the most money on your trip with our in-depth comparison post.
UNDETERMINED: Go to the Chocolate Lover's Festival
The Chocoa Festival is usually held in February. The festival is promoting sustainable and high-quality chocolate from ethical sources.
As a result, you can sample plenty of delicious chocolate at the Beurs van Berlage over these two days.
You can also learn about how it is made, and how to make some of your own delicacies from different vendors and workshops.
Tickets range from €10.50 - €15. Get your tickets in advance here.
NOTE: Official dates for this event have not yet been revealed for 2022.
UNCONFIRMED: Find Little Italy in Amsterdam
Make your way to the Westergas in February to experience this corner of the city transforming into Italy.
You'll find live music, beer and wine tastings, delicious food, and various venues all promoting the Italian culture.
If you've ever wondered how to make the perfect hand-made pasta, you can take a class with an Italian chef or listen to a discussion about Italian beer brewing.
Tickets range from in advance €12.50 to €15, so make sure you get your tickets in advance.
RESCHEDULED: IMPRO Amsterdam
Fans of improv theatre and comedy will enjoy seeing the shows happening during the IMPRO festival.
There will be three different stages with performances, nightly shows, open stage opportunities, and workshops available to take.
Some classes and performances are already selling out, so get your tickets soon.
RELATED POSTS
- Where to Store Luggage
- Free Walking Tours
- Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
- Things to Do [any time of year]