Just nine national holidays in Amsterdam allow its residents to get an extra day off and have a full blast during the processions and festivities. But there are days in the capital of the Netherlands when its inhabitants have no less fun than on red dates. Tourists at such moments fill Amsterdam with even great pleasure - the Day of the Cyclist or the parade of sexual minorities are held here with a special scale and flavor.
Let's take a look at the calendar
The traditional list of holidays in Amsterdam looks like this:
- In winter, the townspeople celebrate Christmas and New Years.
- Spring is the richest time for holidays. Here and Great Friday with Easter, and the Days of Remembrance of the Victims of Wars and the Liberation of the Country from Fascism, and the Queen's Birthday.
- In the summer, the Dutch take part in the festivities of the Ascension and Trinity. They are religious, but there are enough social events these days to time your visit to Amsterdam at this time.
Fun fact: one day a year is given to every resident of the country in case of the funeral of a member of the royal family. If all monarchs stay alive and well, the day is simply added to the Dutchman's vacation.
On a holiday to the queen
The modern Queen of the Netherlands, Beatrix, was born in January, but it is customary to honor her on the last day of April. The tradition of celebrating King's Day was born in the days when Queen Juliana, who was born in the spring, was on the throne.
On the night before the holiday, music festivals and concerts are held, and during the day the city turns into one huge antique market, and everyone can trade anything and wherever they want. The roads for cars are closed and only pedestrians are allowed to move around Amsterdam. All participants in the festive events dress up in orange clothing, which is considered the trademark of the royal house.
DJs are in charge of the music on impromptu dance floors in all squares, drum orchestras play bravura rhythms, and in Dam Square, the public is handed out free salted herring and marijuana to the public.
The apotheosis of the holiday is fireworks in the night sky, which are seen even by neighboring cities.
In honor of two-wheeled friends
The second Saturday in May attracts all the surrounding cyclists and their sympathizers to the holiday in Amsterdam. On this day, it is customary to use only bicycles as a transport, and only tourists or those who are not allowed to ride a two-wheeled friend travel by taxi, buses or metro.
A parade awaited all year long
Gay Pride is a special celebration in Amsterdam. In terms of entertainment and brilliance of the action, it is second only to the King's Day, and its original essence is forgotten by most of the participants from the first minutes. From an instrument of struggle for the rights of minorities, the parade turned into a bright procession, decorated and arranged with great imagination and invention. The sparkling show takes place both on land and on water, usually in late July or early August.
