Once a year, the whole country of the Netherlands becomes a flea market for King’s Day Flea Markets. On the 27th of April (or on the 26th if the 27th falls on a Sunday), the streets of the Netherlands turn orange in celebration of the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. The Dutch national color is orange, in honor of the House of Orange-Nassau, the royal family. On King’s Day (Koningsdag), people dress in orange attire, and many streets and public spaces are decorated with orange flags and banners.
Streets across the country come alive with open-air markets, live music performances, street parties, and various activities for kids and grownups alike. One of the highlights of King’s Day is the “vrijmarkt” or free market. On this day, everyone is allowed to sell their second-hand goods on the streets without a permit. It results in a massive nationwide flea market where people of all ages participate.
While many of the items being sold at the vrijmarkten are things people got bored of, such as old clothes, toys, DVDs, and small electronics (which might or might not work), you might find a few gems for a steal! If you want to score the best stuff, make sure to be there early in the morning!
2024 Dates
27 April
Opening hours on market day:
Saturday: 6am – 4pm (depending on location)
The best “vrijmarkt” locations
Amsterdam
It’s certainly not a secret that the exclusive Amsterdam-Zuid neighbourhood has some of the best stuff on King’s Day. Check out the Apollolaan and the Beethovenstraat. The Jordaan and Watergraafsmeer neighbourhoods are worth a visit as well!
Driebergen-Rijsenburg (UT)
The market in this village near Utrecht is from 8am to 4pm on King’s Day.
IJsselmuiden (OV)
One of the largest free markets in the Netherlands, stretching over 5 kilometres with hundreds of sellers. Open from 7am to 5pm.
Small villages in Noord-Holland
You can find three lovely “vrijmarkten” in the villages of Krommenie, Beverwijk and Heemskerk. In Krommenie the vrijmarkt already starts the night before King’s Day (Koningsnacht).
- Krommenie: King’s Night (26 April): 6pm-1am. King’s Day: 6am-5pm
- Beverwijk: King’s Day
- Heemskerk: King’s Day
Leeuwarden
The largest “vrijmarkt” of Friesland is open from 8:30am to 5pm. Between the Nieuwesteeg and de Waag there’s also a braderie: a market with vendors selling new products.
Nieuwegein (UT)
Besides the famous flea market in the Vreeswijk neighbourhood, there are also professional sellers selling new products.
Nijmegen
The “vrijmarkt” in the Goffertpark is very well organised with hundreds of sellers on a large grass field from 9am-4pm.
Rotterdam
The more affluent neighbourhoods of Hillegersberg and Kralingen can offer an interesting mix of things to buy. In the city centre some of the best stuff can be found on the Nieuwe Binnenweg, Heemraadsplein and Stationssingel.
The Hague
De Fred (Frederik Hendriklaan): there are many free markets taking place on the streets of The Hague. The Frederik Hendriklaan is an affluent area, so you can expect some cool finds!
Utrecht
The largest flea market in the country is in Utrecht. It starts on King’s Night (Koningsnacht – 26 April) and goes on for 24 hours, including the entire night (from 6pm on 26 April until 6pm on 27 April)! The best streets for browsing are the Plompetorengracht, Breedstraat, Weerdsingel and Waterstraat.
Explore more flea markets in the Netherlands!
