Every spring, the Bulb Region (‘Bollenstreek’ in Dutch) tulip fields in the Netherlands change into a sea of color and fragrance. The absolute highlight? The 2026 Bollenstreek Flower Parade.
A unique parade bursting with tulips, creativity, and tradition. In this article, Simon and Sylvia Pennings of Tulip Experience Amsterdam share their local tips and personal memories of this special event.
The 2026 Flower Parade is a day on which the Bulb Region in the Netherlands shows what she is known for worldwide: the beating heart of tulips and spring flowers.
"Our flowers, culture, and traditions are what make our parade special," says Simon. "Other parades often use flowers from greenhouses or from far away. Here, everything comes straight from the fields. Freshly picked and used in the floats the same day. That's what makes this Flower Parade in the Netherlands truly authentic."
"The Flower Parade isn't just a parade; it's an ode to nature, to our region, and to the people who have worked with flowers here for generations," says Simon. The flowers (tulips, hyacinths, daffodils) literally grow next to the road where the floats are moving.
It's a spectacle of color and fragrance. Everything that makes the Bollenstreek so special is revealed in just one day. And the best part is that the flowers actually grow here. That makes it a tribute to our region.
Read more: Where to find the best Dutch tulip fields near Amsterdam
The Flower Parade in the Bollenstreek takes place in the spring, traditionally in April, when the tulip fields are at their most beautiful. In 2026, this will be on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The parade starts in Noordwijk and moves via Noordwijkerhout, Voorhout, Lisse, and Hillegom towards Haarlem.
According to Sylvia, timing is essential: "In the morning, at the start in Noordwijk, it's often still quiet. As the day progresses, it gets busier, especially in Lisse and Hillegom. So come early or at the end of the day, when the main crowds have passed."
Good preparation is essential, as the Flower Parade attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Plan your route, visit by bicycle when possible, and enjoy the blossoming fields along the way (without stepping within the tulip fields!).
Although the Flower Parade route doesn't pass directly by the Tulip Experience Amsterdam, the 2026 Flower Parade will take you through the most beautiful villages in the Bulb Region. The parade is over 40 kilometers long and features dozens of floats decorated with millions of spring flowers. Each year, there's a new theme that challenges artists and designers to create something truly special.
Want to get a closer look at the floats? You can check out the floats lined up on the boulevard in Noordwijk between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. This way, you can start your day relaxed.
Anyone who wants to delve even deeper into the magic of tulips after the parade can visit Tulip Experience Amsterdam in Noordwijkerhout. Every year, we dedicate a special art exhibition to the Flower Parade.
"We've created paintings of the most beautiful parade floats from 1947 to the present. Each painting depicts ten years of floral history. It's really an ode to the parade and the creativity of the region," says Sylvia.
The exhibition is a wonderful addition to a visit to the parade itself. Visitors often recognize floats and iconic buildings from the parade village they've seen in person, now captured on canvas by artist Simon Baylon.
Pre-order your Tulip Experience Amsterdam ticket now. Register before April 18th and visit our Flower Parade art exhibition. Don't miss out!
Anyone wanting to experience the sea of color up close this spring shouldn't miss this parade. And for those who would like to understand the story behind the flowers, Tulip Experience Amsterdam is the perfect immersion, right among the tulips themselves.
Tulip Experience Amsterdam is a must-visit this spring when visiting the Bollenstreek. With a unique combination of a tulip museum, a magical show garden with no fewer than 4 million tulips (in 700 varieties!), and tulip picking in the indoor picking room (included in the ticket!), you'll immerse yourself in the world of tulips.
This article was written in collaboration with Sylvia Pennings, director of Tulip Experience Amsterdam. Since she was nine, she has helped out at her father's tulip nursery, and in 2019, they founded Tulip Experience Amsterdam. Together with her family, she lets visitors experience the magic of the tulip and shares the story of the bulb grower.
This article was written in collaboration with Simon Pennings, founder of Tulip Experience Amsterdam and a bulb grower through and through. As the second generation of the family business, he proudly continues his father's tulip nursery and focuses on innovation and sustainability within the bulb industry.
