Ditch the Amsterdam Chaos This King’s Day: The Hague is Calling
King’s Day falls on Monday 27 April 2026 and while Amsterdam turns into an overwhelming sea of orange with over a million people flooding its streets and canals, The Hague offers something better: all the celebration, none of the chaos. The Hague knows how to do King’s Day on its own terms. And with voco The Hague as your base, you’re perfectly placed to enjoy a long weekend that’s relaxed, vibrant, and genuinely memorable.
What’s On in The Hague for King’s Day Weekend
The Life I Live Festival (Sunday 26 April (free)): The night before King’s Day, The Hague hosts its own music festival across the city centre. Over 40 acts, a wide variety of music styles.
Free Markets Across the City (Monday 27 April (free)): King’s Day free markets are scattered across The Hague’s neighbourhoods from Belgisch Park and Statenkwartier to Scheveningen’s Keizerstraat and Noordeinde near the royal palace. Wander at your own pace, pick up a bargain, and soak up the orange atmosphere without being shoulder to shoulder with a million strangers.
The Geranium Market on Lange Voorhout (Monday 27 April (free)) : A traditional King’s Day market on the elegant Lange Voorhout, open from 10:30 to 17:00 and free to visit. A quintessentially Hague experience that perfectly captures the city’s charm.
King’s Day Canal Cruises: Morning breakfast cruises through the Hofkwartier canals, afternoon drinks cruises, and evening canal tours, all bookable in advance through willemsvaart.nl. A relaxed, scenic way to celebrate from the water.
King’s Fair at Malieveld: The Malieveld transforms into a grand funfair with attractions for all ages, a great option if you’re travelling with family.
Orange Treats from The Hague Bakeries: No King’s Day is complete without an oranje tompouce. The Hague’s bakeries including Dudok and Hop & Stork have you covered.
Beyond King’s Day: Make the Most of the Long Weekend
With a Monday public holiday, this is a genuine three-night break worth making the most of. The Mauritshuis Museum (8-minute walk from voco The Hague) is home to Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and some of the finest Dutch Golden Age paintings in the world. From there, the Binnenhof and city centre (10-minute walk) are best explored on foot at a leisurely pace, with beautiful architecture, independent shops and great spots for lunch around every corner. And when you’re ready to trade the city for some fresh air, Scheveningen Beach (15 minutes by tram) offers the wide open North Sea coast at its most peaceful, early season, far fewer crowds, and the kind of walk that clears your head completely.
For easy planning, explore the interactive map on the right with the most popular attractions around voco The Hague.