On Queens Day (April 30) the birthday of the queen is celebrated. This is done throughout the Netherlands, with private street sales, games for the children, but also with drinking and partying, particularly in the bigger cities.

The Mayor of Amsterdam has now decided the growth of these parties in Amsterdam pose a serious security risk. The biggest party is the Radio 538 party held on Museumplein Square (behind the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum). This party attracts some 200,000 visitors alone.

Queens Day as a whole attracts somewhere between 500,000 and a million visitors to Amsterdam.

The Mayor says he can no longer guarantee everybody's safety, with such large numbers.

In the past, there have already been some problems in the trains to Amsterdam, and around the Central Station in Amsterdam.

Although a protest action in favour of the Radio 538 party collected 60,000 signatures, the Council of Amsterdam supports the Mayor in his decision.

Large parties may now have to be organized outside the centre of Amsterdam, or in other cities.


Boats in Prinsengracht canal on Queens Day in Amsterdam