King’s Day is the day when Dutch communities across the globe dress in orange to celebrate the king’s birthday. In Southern California, the celebration is alive and well thanks to the Dutch School, which partners with the local Dutch community to host vibrant events in San Diego, Long Beach, North Hollywood, and Orange County.
Come celebrate King’s Day with the Dutch School—and discover our Dutch lessons for kids, available both on campus and online!
What Is King’s Day?
King’s Day originated in 1885 as Princess’s Day and later became Queen’s Day. Since 2014, it’s been celebrated on April 27 to honor the birthday of King Willem-Alexander.
Fun fact: Some tourists still arrive in Amsterdam on April 30 expecting Queen’s Day—earning the nickname “mistaken tourist.”
How We Celebrate King’s Day in California
In the Netherlands, King’s Day is all about street markets, music, games, and wearing orange. The Dutch School brings that same spirit to Southern California with four family-friendly events over two days, filled with food, fun, and culture.
Saturday, April 26 – North Hollywood & Orange County
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Free Trial Class: 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
- Traditional Dutch games and crafts
- Poffertjes and croquettes
- Kids’ flea market
- Learn more about our Dutch lessons for kids – on campus & online
Register for North Hollywood
Register for Orange County – Featuring Dutch products from Holland International Market (Bellflower). Pre-order available.
Pre-registration required for school entry.
Saturday, April 26 – San Diego King’s Day Celebration
Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, La Jolla
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
️ Click here to register for free
- Delicious Dutch & Indonesian food and drinks
- Belgian DJ and live entertainment
- Classic children’s games and a kid’s flea market
- Silent Auction – bid online or in-person for exclusive items
- Activities for all ages!
✨ Bonus: Try a free trial class at the Dutch School of San Diego, located right next to the event lawn!
Register for the auction
Donate to the Dutch School
Sunday, April 27 – Holland Festival in Long Beach
Join us for the 35th annual Holland Festival—Southern California’s biggest Dutch celebration!
- Classic Dutch favorites: kroketten, bitterballen, fries, herring & poffertje
- Indonesian street food
- Dutch DJ, traditional games, photo ops & a Heineken beer garden
- Kids’ activities and an amazing community vibe
Whether you’re Dutch, Dutch-American, or just love a great cultural celebration—everyone is welcome! Throw on your orange outfit, bring your friends, and celebrate King’s Day with the Dutch School.
More Than a Party – Learn Dutch with the Dutch School
The Dutch School offers engaging Dutch lessons for kids of all ages, both on campus in Southern California and online, wherever you are. Our distance learning programs help children stay connected to the Dutch language and culture—perfect for expat families or heritage learners.
Learn more about our online Dutch lessons
Explore distance learning for kids