The main national ceremony takes place on Dam Square.

At 6.49pm, Queen Beatrix and her son, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander (with his wife Princess Maxima) arrive, to attend the service in the New Church/ Nieuwe Kerk at Dam Square. This is only accessible by invitation.

The rest of the ceremony on Dam Square is open to the public.

At 7.58pm, the Queen and the Prince lay a wreath at the National Monument on Dam Square.

At 8pm there is a two minutes' silence. Traditionally, this is also observed in bars and pubs, and traffic will partly come to a standstill.

After the 2 minutes' silence there are some speeches, and more wreath-layings, by all kinds of organizations.

The whole ceremony is also broadcast live on tv.

Last year, a deranged person started to shout during the 2 minutes' silence, causing a panic amongst the crowd that was present. Sixty peopel got hurt.
This man is now held in custody, apparently for another offense.

May 5, Liberation Day

May 5 is celebrated as Liberation Day.
The main event of that day is the free open-air concert on the river Amstel, near the Carré Theater, a few minutes walk from the City Hall along the Amstel.
The concert (classical music) starts at 9pm. If you want to attend, it is advisable to come early, to secure a good place.
There will be hundreds of boats in the Amstel.
Traditionally, the Queen will attend the concert. She will arrive and leave by boat.

On Liberation Day there will also be various performances and concerts on squares in the city center (Dam Square, Nes and Beursplein).
See also http://www.4en5meiamsterdam.nl/page/8526 for more detailed information.

Flags

On May 4 the Dutch flag will be flown half-mast on official buildings. On May 5 the flag will be flown normally.


The National Monument on Dam Square