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31st May 2018
05:43pm BST
We have quite an obsession with Paddy's Day - and fair enough too, sure the main lad did drive all the snakes out of Ireland. But did you know that King's Day is *whispers* even better?
People dress head-to-toe in orange, canons shoot out orange confetti, there's city wide street parties and people swap cans as they float by on boats with live DJs.
It's celebrated in Holland so it's a bit more of a trek than popping down to your local but every year on the date of the King or Queen's birthday - right now it's the 27th April after the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander.
Amsterdam is the best spot for King's Day if you want a serious sesh. The city becomes one huge party zone as people don their brightest orange gear and cheers to the king.
There's some pretty insane gridlock on the main canals as people scramble into boats to continue the party from the water.
Crowds gather along the sides of the canals to cheer on and throw confetti down from bridges to boats passing below, and even families take a spin out on the canal.
Music is blasting from every boat and there's a special ‘free market’ tradition where people barter and trade goods all over the streets.
I went over this year to join the Ketel One vodka boat party and it was a buzzzzzz. Espresso martini machines pouring out the perfect cocktail, King’s Mary’s (like a Bloody Mary but with carrot juice and ginger) and a DJ deck on the boat itself.
Jordaan’s narrow streets and quaint buildings now make up one of Amsterdam’s most desirable quarters, dotted with independent art galleries, antiques shops, courtyard gardens and atmospheric bars.
There’s a lot more to Amsterdam than the coffee shops y’know... Check out our handy itinerary for more spots to see: 3 Days In Amsterdam - Don't Want To Smoke? Here's Your Weekend Guide
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