The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek is a colorful flower parade from Noordwijk to Haarlem in the tulip bulb fields region of the Netherlands — visit Keukenhof only on tours on parade Saturday.
Several Bloemencorsos (flower parade festivals) are held in the Netherlands but the one in the Bollenstreek (bulb flower fields region) to the south of Amsterdam is particularly popular. In the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek floats decorated with flowers are the main attraction in a large parade that follows a route past Keukenhof from Noordwijk to Haarlem. The main parade is all-day Saturday with a shorter evening parade the Friday before and the floats displayed in Haarlem on Sunday. Although these parades are beautiful to see, they cause tremendous traffic chaos in the region. Avoid traveling to Keukenhof on parade days, except when booking a specific Bloemencorso tour.
The main Bloemencorso Bollenstreek flower parades in coming years are on 12 April 2025, 18 April 2026, and 17 April 2027.
Keukenhof Area Flower Parade / Bloemencorso in 2025
In 2025, the main Bloemencorso Bollenstreek flower parade is on Saturday 12 April from Noordwijk to Haarlem. An evening parade is on Friday 11 April in Noordwijkerhout. The floats are on display in Haarlem on Sunday 13 April. It is also possible to see the floats being prepared by volunteers (and lend a hand) from Wednesday to Friday morning in Sassenheim.
The Saturday parade starts around 9 am in Noordwijk. The floats travel slowly via many small towns and Keukenhof to reach Haarlem around 21:30 to 22:00. It causes terrible traffic jams. Travelers with limited time should avoid the region on parade Saturday except if booking a specific tour. Even public transportation buses get stuck at times.
Traffic near Keukenhof will be particularly affected from around 13:00 to 17:00 on parade day.
The main Bloemencorso Bollenstreek flower parades in coming years are on 12 April 2025, 18 April 2026, and 17 April 2027.
Book Tours from Amsterdam to Keukenhof and the Bloemencorso Flower Parade
Guided bus tours from Amsterdam are a good way to visit Keukenhof and see the Bloemencorso flower parade. Specific Bloemencorso tours schedule departures and arrivals to avoid road closures and delays. (If you are not interested in the flower parade, visit Keukenhof on a different day.)
The following tours are from Amsterdam and include bus transfers and entrance to Keukenhof in addition to specific aspects of the parade:
- 10 April — a behind-the-scenes tour of the parade build-up day.
- 11 April — travel to the illuminated evening flower parade (add an Amsterdam canal cruise or Van Gogh Museum tickets for a small saving).
- 12 April — grandstand parade seats and lunch (add Van Gogh Museum tickets for a small saving).
- 13 April — tulip tour of Haarlem (add Van Gogh Museum tickets).
Adding further sights and tickets usually saves a little. Visits to these added sights are usually possible on dates other than the visits to Keukenhof and the flower parade.
Using the train to see the parade in Haarlem is a sensible do-it-yourself option, as the parade may be reached on foot from the train station. Seeing the stationary floats on Sunday in Haarlem is also a good choice.
→ See the full program and timings at Bloemencorso Bollenstreek.
Visiting Keukenhof Tulip Gardens near Amsterdam in the Netherlands in 2025
- Visit Keukenhof Tulip Gardens — Opening Hours, Tickets, General Visitors Information.
- Transportation to Keukenhof — Cheapest and easiest by Keukenhof Qbuzz express buses from Amsterdam or Schiphol Airport.
- Cycling at Keukenhof — Rent a bike outside the tulip gardens and cycle the beautiful bulb flower fields region.
- Bloemencorso – Flower Parade — avoid traveling in the Keukenhof region on flower parade weekend, except when booking a specific flower parade tour.
- Buy Keukenhof tickets online, buy combination tickets (transportation and admission), or book guided tours from Amsterdam to Keukenhof.
- Photos on Flickr of Keukenhof and the flower fields.
