It’s Going to be an Orange Affair! Curaçao King’s Day 2024!

Like other Dutch Caribbean islands, in Curaçao there is one day in April when we paint the town orange. Each year, on 27 April, we celebrate Koningsdag with much fanfare. It’s an integral part of our tradition, reflecting our connection with the Netherlands. Thus, adults, youth, and little ones take to the streets in vibrant orange to commemorate King’s Day.

There are numerous activities to choose from, such as kid’s markets, green grocers’ markets, stalls of vintage goods and craft markets. Usually, there are amazing deals on a variety of products! While throughout the island, we celebrate, there are a few choice spots for those wishing to join the festivities.

Firstly, Willemstad is the hub. Yet, to fully immerse in the experience, head to Punda, where the event was celebrated. It is the centre of the celebrations and the ‘place to be’. Another well-known site that draws a massive crowd is Pietermaai.

Additionally, as is customary, food and music feature prominently. Locals and visitors will enjoy sampling tasty local cuisine from the vast collection of street food vendors. There will also be music and dancing in the streets.

King’s Day is a day of fun for the whole family. This year, as you embark on your celebrations, we want to share a few fun facts about the day. Join us in a fun game of ‘did you know‘.

Did you know that historically, the holiday was first called Prinsessedag (Princess’ Day), then Koninginnedag and finally Koningsdag, King’s Day?

Did you know the holiday was previously celebrated on 30 April? In 2014, it was changed to 27 April to memorialise King Willem-Alexander’s birthday.

Did you know that on King Willem-Alexander’s birthday, everyone dresses in orange because the royal family bears the name House of Orange? It is also the national colour of the Netherlands.

Did you know Oranjebitter, or orange bitter, is a liqueur drink first associated with the royal family in the 1600s? Today it is a King’s Day custom to toast the monarch with the orange, flavourful beverage.

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Dia Di Rei from Yello!

Sources: Curaçao, Curaçao Marine and Netherlands.