WHAT TO KNOW WHEN YOU WANT TO VISIT THE TULIP FESTIVAL (IN THE NETHERLANDS)

Every spring, the Netherlands turns into one big celebration of colour. But here’s the thing: when people say “the tulip festival”, they often mean different experiences. In 2026, tulip season is best seen as a menu you can mix and match: Keukenhof Gardens, the Bollenstreek flower fields, the famous Flower Parade, and Amsterdam’s city-wide tulip displays.

This guide gives you the most important things to know before you go so your visit feels smooth, realistic, and magical.

The most important 2026 dates (save these)

Keukenhof Gardens (Lisse)
Open 19 March to 10 May 2026, daily 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last entry 6:15 PM). 

Bollenstreek Flower Parade (Bloemencorso Bollenstreek)
The parade takes place on Saturday 18 April 2026 and passes Keukenhof. 

Tulp Festival Amsterdam (city centre tulips)
Amsterdam’s Tulp Festival runs for the full month of April 2026 (1–30 April), with tulip displays across many locations in the city. 

Tulpenfestival Noordoostpolder (Flevoland tulip routes)
This is a huge tulip-field region with driving and cycling routes. The 2026 dates/routes are not announced yet (keep an eye on the official site). 

Step 1: Choose your “tulip festival style”

Here are the four most common ways to do tulip season — and the one you choose changes everything (tickets, crowds, transport, even what shoes to wear).

1) Keukenhof (the classic, easiest choice)

Keukenhof is the world-famous spring garden: curated flower beds, pavilions with indoor shows, photo spots, food outlets, and a polished visitor experience. It’s perfect if you want guaranteed beauty even if the weather is unpredictable. ()

2) The tulip fields in the Bollenstreek (the “real countryside” feeling)

The flower fields around Lisse and the wider Bollenstreek region are what you see in those iconic aerial photos: endless stripes of colour, windmills, and farm roads. This can be breathtaking — but it’s also where respect and etiquette matter most (more on that below).

3) Flower Parade day (the festival atmosphere)

If you want the full spring party vibe, plan around the Bloemencorso: massive floats covered in spring flowers, crowds along the route, and a very unique Dutch tradition.

4) Amsterdam’s Tulp Festival (the easiest add-on if you’re staying in the city)

This is great if you don’t want a full day trip, or if you want “tulips without tickets.” In April, you can walk your way through the city and stumble upon tulip displays in public spaces. ()

Step 2: Book smart (Keukenhof is timed entry)

If Keukenhof is part of your tulip plan, here’s what matters:

Tickets go on sale from 15 October (for the 2026 season). 

Keukenhof works with arrival time slots. Your ticket is valid within your reserved slot, and you can stay in the park until closing time. If you arrive outside your slot, you may have to wait (or might not be allowed in if it’s full). 

Rescheduling is usually possible up to 24 hours before your visit (only if your new slot is available). 

Step 3: Avoid the biggest crowds (without losing the magic)

Keukenhof itself shares a simple strategy:

• It’s generally quieter before 10:30 AM or after 4:00 PM

• Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are typically calmer days ()

This also happens to be the best light for photos, so you win twice: fewer crowds and a softer look.

If you want to avoid peak chaos in the region, be extra careful with Saturday 18 April 2026 (Flower Parade day). Keukenhof warns it will be particularly busy, and advises arriving before 12:00 PM because roads close for the parade route. ()

Step 4: Know the rules (tulip field etiquette is serious)

This is where visitors accidentally spoil things — so let’s be clear:

Don’t walk into the tulip fields

The fields are private property, and walking through them damages the bulbs. Keukenhof explicitly states you may not stroll through the bulb fields — but you can take photos from the road. ()

Drones: not allowed at Keukenhof

Keukenhof does not allow drones over or around the park for safety reasons. ()
Outside Keukenhof, many fields are still private property, and drone rules vary by location and airspace. If you’re considering it, always check local regulations and ask permission.

Step 5: Dress like a Dutch local in spring

Tulip season is beautiful, but Dutch spring weather can switch moods fast. The smart approach is simple:

• Comfortable walking shoes (you will walk more than you think)

• Layers (cold mornings, warmer afternoons)

• A light rain jacket (even on “good forecast” days)

• Sunglasses (if the sun hits the flowers, it’s bright)

And if you’re planning countryside fields: wind can be sharp in open areas.

Step 6: Build the day that fits you (3 easy itineraries)

Option A: The classic “Keukenhof day”

• Arrive early (or late afternoon)

• Spend 3–5 hours in the gardens

• Add a warm drink stop + one pavilion break (perfect if it rains)

Option B: Keukenhof + tulip fields by bike

• Keukenhof in the morning

• Rent a bike nearby or plan a cycling route through the Bollenstreek

• Sunset photos from the roads (no field walking)

Option C: Flower Parade festival day

• Arrive in the region early (seriously: before noon)

• Watch the parade along the route or near Keukenhof

• Accept crowds as part of the experience

• Plan a quieter day for Keukenhof if your main goal is the gardens

Read more about the Flower Parade here

Bonus: If you’re staying in Amsterdam

If you’re in Amsterdam in April, add Tulp Festival Amsterdam. It’s an easy, low-effort extra: you explore the city, and the tulips simply “happen” around you at different locations. 

Final DTN tip: follow the bloom, not the calendar

Bloom timing depends on weather. Keukenhof itself explains that flowering follows the rhythm of nature and can vary, and they publish updates (flowering reports) during the season. ()

So plan your trip around the best structure (tickets, transport, crowd strategy)… and then let nature surprise you.