Koningsdag - Dutch King's Day Festival

Koningsdag comes to Italy

Koningsdag, or King's Day, is one of the most heartfelt and joyful celebrations in the Netherlands: every year, the entire nation turns orange to celebrate the monarch's birthday with music, street markets, games, and an infectious festive atmosphere. For the very first time, this tradition lands in Italy, specifically in the heart of Piedmont, in Spigno Monferrato, a small town in the province of Alessandria nestled in the Alto Monferrato region.

The event takes place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, starting at 12:00 PM in Piazza IV Novembre (in case of bad weather, it will move to the Franco Vasconi Municipal Theater). Admission is completely free.

An international event in Spigno Monferrato

The initiative was born from the meeting between the local community and the many Dutch citizens who have chosen the lower Piedmont as their second home. Promoted by Pascal Van Eerden and Roderick de Rooij, property owners in Spigno, in collaboration with the Pro Loco and the Municipality of Spigno Monferrato, the festival aims to bring an international flair to the Monferrato village while strengthening ties with the local area.

The program: orange, street food, and games

The square will be transformed into a corner of the Netherlands, decorated with flags, colors, and orange ornaments. Highlights of the day include:

• Dutch street food with sweet and savory specialties: stroopwafel, poffertjes, pannenkoeken, bitterballen, and other traditional delicacies;
• Traditional games for all ages, especially for children: potato sack races, ring toss, nail games, and sjoelen, a typical Dutch board game;
• Pony rides and skill games, with a "game card" for the little ones and a final awards ceremony;
• DJ sets and live entertainment, featuring a musical selection that blends Dutch and Italian tracks.

A charitable heart

Beyond the festive atmosphere, the Koningsdag in Spigno has a strong spirit of solidarity: the entire proceeds of the event will be donated to the reconstruction of the San Rocco Bridge, which was severely damaged by the floods on September 22, 2025. Participating in the festival means making a concrete contribution to the recovery of the local area.

A festival looking to the future

The first edition saw great participation from residents, families, and many Dutch property owners in lower Piedmont. The event was also attended by the Consul General of the Netherlands in Italy, Dr. Mascha Baak, who praised the quality of the event and the warm welcome of the local community. A debut that establishes Spigno Monferrato as a unique hub for Italian-Dutch cultural relations and promises new editions in the years to come.