King's Day is coming up, and you can feel it in the air! Living in the Netherlands for two years now, I can honestly say this country never stops surprising me. When I first arrived for my studies, King's Day was one of the first things everyone mentioned. But textbooks can't describe the real deal. Forget history book parades – King's Day in Groningen is a riot of orange unleashed! Apparently, April 27th marks King Willem-Alexander's birthday, and the Netherlands throws a party that blows everything out of the water. Curious to experience King's Day through the eyes of an international student?  Read on for a first-hand account of Groningen’s transformation on this unique Dutch holiday.

As a clueless international student, I entered this sea of orange on King's Night, which is the night of the 26th. The only way to describe this scene is as a giant block party with music pulsing through every corner. The streets buzzed with an electric energy – people spilled out of pubs and cafes, laughing and chatting.  Balconies were transformed into mini parties, with friends cheering and waving orange flags. Vismarkt square was a human lava lamp, glowing with happy energy and a contagious buzz.

The next day, Groningen was the living embodiment of the orange square emoji.  Everywhere you looked, there was orange – mismatched socks, giant sunglasses, and even inflatable crowns! Even people chilling on their terraces donned some orange flair, adding to the festive vibe. Feeling a little overwhelmed by the sheer energy, I decided to grab some tompouces, and found myself a spot on a sunny terrace. It was the perfect people-watching spot – a front-row seat to the vibrant chaos unfolding below.

The real stars of the show for me were the endless rows of flea markets. Groningen had transformed into a treasure hunter's paradise. It was like a real-life garage sale on steroids! You could find anything from grandma's missing Tupperware to a dusty book with a title so mysterious it could be a secret spy code. Apparently, due to restrictions being lifted on local trade laws, you could sell literally anything that wasn't bolted down!

Sure, I didn't unearth any priceless antiques (although, maybe this year I'll be braver and venture into the crowds), but I did score a boatload of memories (and a newfound appreciation for Dutch pastries like tompouce). King's Day is more than just a national holiday, and in Groningen, we see it transform the city into something incredibly vibrant –  a mix of open-air markets, one of the biggest parties you will ever experience, all stamped by that special brand of Dutch enthusiasm. This year, you bet I'll be back, maybe even with a slightly-used orange cape this time!