If you’ve been putting up with Dutch grey skies since October, consider April your reward.
From Frisian harbours to Amsterdam theatre stages, and from Easter markets to one of the world’s most spectacular flower parades, there’s no reason to spend a single weekend on the couch.
Here’s your essential guide to making the most of April in the Netherlands.
1. Celebrate King’s Day 🧡
Starting off strong with a classically Dutch activity: King’s Day (Koningsdag).
This year, it falls on April 27, and if you’ve never experienced it before, brace yourself.
The entire country turns orange — clothes, wigs, faces, everything — in honour of King Willem-Alexander’s birthday, and the streets transform into one enormous free-for-all flea market, canal party, and street festival rolled into one.
Amsterdam may be the popular epicentre, where over a million people descend on the canals and Vondelpark. But honestly, even smaller towns throw an excellent party.
And don’t forget about the parties on the evening before (April 26). That’s King’s Night, when the most raucous fun happens. 😉
2. See the cherry blossoms in Amstelveen 🌸
Just a short hop from Amsterdam, Amstelveen’s famous cherry blossom route turns a sleepy suburb into something that looks suspiciously like it belongs in a Studio Ghibli film. Cherry blossoms galore!
The 400 trees were donated by the Japan Women’s Club in 2000 to mark four centuries of Dutch-Japanese relations. The gorgeous flowers often bloom in early to mid-April, but timing varies year to year — keep an eye on local reports.
Go on a weekday morning if you want the full dreamy effect without fighting for the perfect shot.
3. Watch the Bloemencorso tulip parade 🌷
Flowers, flowers, and more flowers.
On April 18, the 79th edition of the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek sets off from Noordwijk on a 42-kilometre route through the Bollenstreek (the bulb-growing region) all the way to Haarlem.
You can see floats covered in millions of tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils.
It’s free to watch from the roadside, or you can book grandstand seats for a more comfortable (and drier) vantage point.
If you want to see it passing through Keukenhof, plan for around 3:45 PM. The floats will then remain on display in Haarlem on Sunday, April 19, until 5:00 PM.
Fair warning: Keukenhof tickets for parade day sold out before the season even started — so get organised early if you want to combine the two.
4. Visit Keukenhof 🌼
Speaking of which: the ever-famous Keukenhof is open from March 19 to May 10 2026, and April is when things really get going.
Seven million bulbs, 800 tulip varieties, and an 8 AM opening time that rewards early risers with an almost mystical quiet before the crowds arrive.
Peak tulip season runs from early to mid-April, with the sweet spot around 13 to 25 April when early and late varieties overlap. Tickets are timed entry and can sell out, so booking ahead isn’t just optional: it’s plain sensible.
5. Go to KunstRAI Amsterdam 🎨
From April 22 to 26, KunstRAI takes over RAI Amsterdam with one of the country’s most respected contemporary art fairs.
Around 100 galleries from the Netherlands and abroad present painting, photography, vintage design, applied arts, and sculpture — including a sprawling outdoor sculpture square.
Whether you’re a serious collector or someone who just likes walking around looking thoughtful in front of contemporary art, this is a genuinely excellent afternoon out.
6. Catch the Easter festival at Ruigoord 🐣
This one is great if you’ve got kids in tow! The artist village of Ruigoord, tucked away on the western edge of Amsterdam, hosts its annual Easter festival over the long Easter weekend.
It’s a bohemian, free-spirited affair with live music and art in one of the country’s most distinctive creative communities.
If your Easter plans are currently just a chocolate egg and some mild disappointment, this is the upgrade you didn’t know you needed.
7. Watch the Geuzen take back Brielle ⚔️
Every year on April 1, the small fortified town of Brielle (also known as Den Briel) in South Holland celebrates and marks one of the most significant dates in Dutch history.
On this day in 1572, a fleet of rebel fighters known as the Watergeuzen (Sea Beggars) seized the Spanish-occupied town, firing the starting gun on the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule.
The whole town leans into it. Actors in period costume fill the streets as poorters (townspeople), beggars, monks, and street musicians, while cannon fire and mock battles play out across the historic centre.
Now that’s a banging start to April!
8. Check out the other Easter markets 🐰
All over the Netherlands, paasmarkten (Easter markets) pop up throughout the month with flowers, food, crafts, and seasonal goods.
These markets tend to be excellent for local produce, artisan gifts, and the kind of spring atmosphere that makes you feel like April was worth waiting for. Happy Easter!
9. See Chico’s Mambo at DeLaMar 💃
Amsterdam’s DeLaMar Theatre is hosting Chico’s Mambo on April 11 and 12 — a comical dance performance that promises to do the trick if you’ve been running low on joy lately.
DeLaMar productions have a reputation for being both polished and deeply fun, and this one is no exception.
10. Catch ‘A Fine Mess’ at DeLaMar 🎭
Also running through April at DeLaMar is A Fine Mess — a chaotic, explosive action comedy play that runs until April 5. If you enjoy your theatre with a healthy dose of mayhem and comedic timing, this is the one.
Two DeLaMar shows in one month is, frankly, an excellent way to approach spring cultural enrichment.
11. Head to the Vlootdag in Harlingen ⛵
Finally, on April 11, the Frisian port town of Harlingen kicks off its sailing season with Vlootdag (Fleet Day).
From 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the historic bruine vloot (brown fleet) opens its ships to visitors along the Zuiderhaven.
These traditional sailing vessels with their distinctive tanned sails are accompanied by a market, live music, craft demonstrations, and the chance to step aboard and chat to the skippers about life on the water.
April is essentially the Netherlands at its most unhinged and most beautiful, often simultaneously. With these events, you’re sure to be seriously entertained for the whole month.
Which of these April events are you planning to hit? Let us know in the comments!
