On one day each April, the entire country turns orange and the normal rules of commerce briefly dissolve: anyone can lay a blanket on the pavement and sell their old records, bicycle parts, and children’s toys without a permit or tax. This is the vrijmarkt, the free market that anchors the Netherlands’ biggest national party — a celebration of the reigning monarch’s birthday. Welcome to Guide № 002 in The Love Netherlands Guide series.
In this guide
- What King’s Day Actually Celebrates
- Why Everyone Wears Orange
- The Vrijmarkt: A Nation of Sellers
- Boats, Canals, and King’s Night
- Practical Notes for Visitors
- Myths Worth Retiring
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Guide № 002: King’s Day — in a beautifully designed, printable booklet.
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The Love Netherlands Guide is a numbered series — one tightly focused subject at a time, each with its own downloadable collectible edition.
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