Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema wants to fundamentally change how King’s Day is celebrated in the Dutch capital, after years of growing crowds and pressure on emergency services.

From 2026, the festival should become more manageable, with clearer limits in the city centre and fewer visitors from outside the capital, the mayor has said in a briefing to councillors.

Research into crowding, safety and behaviour shows that the event is “not always safe, not always festive and not always typically Amsterdam”, Halsema said.

The study describes how King’s Day has shifted from a loose, local celebration into what amounts to a large, badly regulated open-air festival in parts of the inner city. Extreme congestion, alcohol misuse and poor access for emergency services are identified as the main risks.

Halsema said she had considered three scenarios for change and has opted for a middle course. If her plans go head, parts of the inner city, starting with areas such as the Westerstraat and Noordermarkt, would be formally designated as event zones from next year.

Visitors from outside Amsterdam would remain welcome, but “to a lesser extent”, although it is unclear how they would be discouraged.

The measures may also include allowing festivals on the outskirts of the city to run later into the evening to reduce pressure on the centre. Officials will also step up checks on illegal alcohol sales and street parties.

Halsema will debate her ideas on reforming King’s Day with councillors in January. “I expect these measures will be an important step in the right direction but real change will take several years,” the mayor told councillors.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors flood to Amsterdam for the King’s Day celebrations every year, most of whom remain in the city centre.