Early birds can lay out their rugs on the grounds of Tolhuistuin in North as early as six in the morning. The free market runs until 8 p.m. and is free to enter all day. No ticket, no reservation, just walk in. The 18,000-square-foot outdoor garden offers plenty of space for sellers, buyers and anyone who just wants to walk in between.
Tolhuistuin, programmed by Paradiso, is seriously tackling the children's program. Happy Dancer provides dance sessions for children, getting them onto the dance floor in no time. Those who prefer to sit still can visit the storytellers, who also know how to captivate young audiences. And then there is the puppet theater, always good for a full circle of children.
In addition to the acts for small visitors, there is also room for creativity. At the face painting workshops, children can be transformed into whatever they want, from tiger to butterfly. Jewelry making is another option: craft something yourself and take it home. That kind of activity where you hold something at the end of the day, that just works.
The Open Stage gives the day a nice unpredictable edge: you don't know in advance what you'll hear, and that's exactly the charm.
Getting to Tolhuistuin is easy enough. The free ferry runs 24/7 between the Buiksloterweg ferry and Amsterdam Central Station. On King's Day it will be busy on that ferry, but the crossing is short. Noord always feels just a little different from the center on such days, a little quieter and a little more space. And that 18,000 square meter garden absorbs a lot of people without it ever getting really stuffy. Anyone who wants something different from the regular downtown spots on King's Day now knows where to go.