The water of Prinsengracht is always full of boats on sunny days, but once or twice a year it is really busy. That’s when the canals of Amsterdam are the scene of popular festivals. For instance, an annual concert is held on Prinsengracht, where you are standing now. An orchestra on a floating stage plays classical songs from the previous century and of course, the canal is packed with boats full of people who come to listen.

Once a year, there is a really, really big party on the canals: ‘Koningsdag’ or King’s Day, a national holiday. Until recently, the same day was called ‘Koninginnedag’ or Queen’s Day, but King Willem-Alexander succeeded his mother, Princess Beatrix, in 2013, and so the name was changed from Queen’s day to King’s Day. Many Dutch people come to Amsterdam specifically to celebrate this national day of celebration and the canals are chock-a-block with party-goers dressed in orange. If you want to see what King’s Day is like in the canal ring, watch the video.