In any case we do not celebrate the birthday of the present Queen, for Queen Beatrix has her birthday on 31 January. When she ascended the throne in 1980, she decided to keep celebrating the Queen’s Birthday on her mother Juliana’s birthday, by way of tribute to her. Hence these festivities on 30 April. And if 30 April falls on a Sunday, it is celebrated on 29 April.

The Queen’s Birthday actually begins on its eve. At various locations in the city there are so-called Queen’s night parties on 29 April, for instance in Stadhuisplein and in Catharinaplein, where the Royal Dance Event is held. A free outdoor festival with two podiums and different DJs. The festival will be on on Wednesday from 18.00 to 24.00 hours and on Thursday from 12.00 to 00.00 hours. Last year 35,000 people visited the event. This year twice as many partygoers are expected.

Lovers of hip-hop can go to Dynamo outdoors in Catharinaplein on 30 April from 14.00 to 24.00 hours.

At the Effenaar in Dommelstraat the Queen’s night also begins with hip-hop on 29 April, notably with Kyteman’s Hiphop Orkest. Entry is fifteen euros. That also gives you free access to the Queen’s night festival in the Effenaar: There will be techno in the great hall and rock, soul and indie in the small hall and the café. The Queen’s Birthday festival at the park terrace of the Effenaar is free and begins at 14.00 hours.

World music on 30 April may be heard in Clausplein, on the corner of Willemstraat and Emmasingel. You can witness a djembe performance by Bruce World Rhythm, the samba band, Bloco Barulho and reggaeton by Ghetto Flow. Admission free.
And more techno, both international and ‘Made in Eindhoven’, can be heard on 30 April from 12.00 to 00.00 hours at the PACT festival in the car park ‘t Eindje, ‘t Eindje 1 at Fellenoord. This party location lies half submerged underground and is surrounded by lawns. Admission to this festival is also free, just like the Queen’s Birthday festival in Lichtplein behind the Witte Dame.

Free market
In Willemstraat and Wilhelminaplein a free market will be held. Everybody can sell his or her stuff there without limitation. The earlier the bird on Thursday morning, the better the chance it has of finding a truly unique worm./.

See for all festivities on 29 and 30 April in Eindhoven www.oranjedegekste.nl (In Dutch). The Queen herself will visit Apeldoorn this year.