Bloemencorso Bollenstreek Flower Parade: Flying from Dubai to the Netherlands in April

Soon, the Netherlands will turn into a true blooming paradise: in April, the famous Bloemencorso Bollenstreek parade will take place. This is the largest festival in the country, during which enormous sculptures and installations made of fresh flowers travel between cities. The procession is accompanied by musicians, dancers, locals, and tourists.

Fun fact: only bulb flowers – tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths – are used to create the installations. Even after the celebration ends, their fragrance lingers in the air for days, which is why locals call the parade the “face of spring”. The first flower parade took place in 1947, when people walked through the streets of Hillegom carrying flower garlands and hand carts decorated with dozens of blossoms. A few years later, neighboring cities joined in, and by the mid-1950s, the festival was already attracting over 500,000 spectators. Today, the number of visitors eager to take part in this spring celebration exceeds several million.

The date for this year’s parade has already been announced: it will take place on Saturday, April 12. The procession will depart from Noordwijk at 9:00 AM (local time) and will reach its final destination, Haarlem, at approximately 9:30 PM. Around 3:45 PM, the parade will pass by Keukenhof Park, but you won’t be able to see it from inside – you’ll have to step outside to catch a glimpse of the fast-moving floral installations.

Where is the best place to watch the parade?

To fully immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere, choose one of the best viewing spots:

• Noordwijk
  The parade kicks off at 9:00 AM in the charming town of Noordwijk. If you want to see the flower floats in their pristine form, head to Koningin Wilhelmina Boulevard, where the colorful procession begins. Here, you’ll witness the freshest and most vibrant floral compositions while avoiding the crowds of tourists eager to capture every single bloom.
• Sassenheim
  Around noon, the parade will pass through the town of Sassenheim. If you want to watch the procession from the grandstands, this is the spot to choose – it offers the best view. The floats move slower in Sassenheim compared to other parts of the route, giving you more time to admire the stunning floral arrangements in all their detail.
• Lisse
  If you plan to combine watching the parade with visiting the famous Keukenhof Park, make sure to head to Lisse. This is one of the most impressive parade locations, where the floral floats will pass by the endless fields of tulips. It’s the perfect spot for those who want to enjoy not only the procession but also the picturesque landscapes of the park.
• Hillegom
  You can watch the parade and avoid getting lost in the crowds of tourists not only at the beginning but also near the end of the route – in the southern town of Hillegom, where the procession will arrive around 6:00 PM. By this point, the floats will have already covered most of the route, though there is a chance the compositions might not be as fresh and vibrant as earlier in the day.
• Haarlem
  Around 9:30 PM, the floats will arrive in Haarlem, the final destination of the parade. All the floats will remain there until Sunday, April 13. So, if you want to take a closer look at the floral compositions and snap a few more photos, feel free to visit.

Famous Tulip Fields in the Netherlands

Tulips are the true symbol of the Netherlands, so in addition to visiting the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek, be sure to include a few spots on your itinerary where you can see different varieties of these spring flowers. Undoubtedly, the most popular place for photos among millions of tulips is Keukenhof Park, but during the parade, it will be crowded with tourists.

The perfect plan is to rent a car and explore the country’s most beautiful flower-filled locations:

• Fields in the Bollenstreek Region
  This region, located between Leiden and Haarlem, is a true tulip valley. The most picturesque route runs between Lisse, Hillegom, and Noordwijk, so be sure to drive through the fields, enjoy the views, and take beautiful photos. However, be cautious with the last part: the fields are private property of farmers, so you can’t enter them, but you can take photos from the edges.
• Fields in the Noordoostpolder
  The Noordoostpolder region in Flevoland province boasts the largest tulip fields in the Netherlands. Here, you’ll find the official Tulip Route Flevoland, which can be explored by car, bike, or even on foot. Compared to the Bollenstreek, there are fewer tourists, and you’ll have the opportunity to walk through the fields and buy freshly cut tulips. At the Hanneke’s Pluktuin farm, you can even pick your own bouquet directly from the field!
• Texel Island
  On Texel Island, you’ll find stunning views: tulip fields set against the backdrop of sandy dunes and the sea. Rent a bike right on the island and ride along scenic routes. After your bike ride, take a stroll along the beach, enjoy a cup of coffee by the shore, and truly soak in the atmosphere of this amazing place.
• North Holland Province
  An hour’s drive from Amsterdam, you’ll find North Holland Province. This region is often referred to as the “tulip secret of the Netherlands” because it features vast fields with hardly any tourists. Here, you can see the rarest varieties of tulips and visit the local flower festival in the neighboring village with the unusual name Anna Paulowna.

Planning a Trip from Dubai to the Netherlands

If you’ve long wanted to attend the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek Parade, this spring is your chance to do so. The event is just around the corner, so don’t delay in finding and booking the right accommodation.

And be sure to submit your visa application to the Netherlands through The Visa Services. We process standard Schengen visas for UAE residents in just 2–3 weeks from the moment of application, and urgent visas – in 2–3 days. Our services include consultation support, filling out forms, gathering necessary documents, finding available slots for submission at the visa center, and resolving any arising issues. All of this not only increases your chances of obtaining a visa but also saves you up to 30 hours of your time.

Contact us now and start preparing for the most beautiful journey of this spring!

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