Amsterdam Tulip Festival 2023 | Spring Flowers, Flower Parades, Events & More

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Amsterdam Tulip Festival 2023

23 March to 14 May

The Netherlands, also considered the land of flowers, is a sight for sore eyes during the spring season. Every year, Amsterdam, the capital of the country, conducts the Amsterdam tulip festival to celebrate the arrival of the spring season. This marks the beginning of spring in Holland. Keukenhof Gardens are the main attraction during the festival with tulips and other flowers of several colors and varieties on display.

Several flower events are conducted during the festival, and each event gives a different experience to the visitors. With so many options available, picking the best events is difficult. Read on to learn about the four best events in the tulip festival to help you plan your visit.

What is the Amsterdam Tulip Festival?

yellow and purple tulips in keukenhof gardens

Amsterdam tulip season starts at the end of March and continues till the end of May, and the Keukenhof Tulip Festival 2023 will be held from 23 March to 14 May, which is the best time to see tulips in Holland.

The tulip festival hours at Keukenhof Gardens are from 8 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Sunday.

The Amsterdam Tulip Festival is the celebration of the arrival of spring. Tulip flowers bloom during the spring season, and hence, the festival time is the best time to see tulips in Holland. Every year, more than a million visitors flood Amsterdam to welcome the spring and wander the streets of the city, enjoying the breathtaking beauty of tulips.

Keukenhof Gardens, the flower parade, and tulip fields in full bloom are some of the best attractions of the festival.

Highlights of the Amsterdam Tulip Festival 2023

The colorful flower fields filled with bloomed flowers make the spring festival of Amsterdam special. During the festival, most parts of Amsterdam turn picture-perfect adorning all the colors and beauty of tulips and other flowers. The Amsterdam tulip festival is the best time to see tulips in Amsterdam, as this opens a chance to witness the most vibrant sight of the year. Out of all the events that are being conducted during the spring, the Keukenhof Tulip Festival 2023, the blooming tulip fields, the magnificent flower parade, and a visit to a real farm are something the visitors must not miss out on.

Keukenhof Gardens

Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands are one of the most popular flower attractions during the spring season. Also known as the garden of Europe, this magnificent garden is one of the largest in the world. Each fall season, before the Amsterdam Tulip festival begins, over 100 growers donate around 7 million bulbs of 800 varieties of tulips to be planted in the garden.

As tulips are short-lived and last for only around a week, the gardeners plant the bulbs in layers. They use the lasagna method, a technique where early and late-blooming bulbs are planted separately in layers to keep the Keukenhof park bloomed all through the spring. The bulbs that bloom early in March are planted at the top, followed by the bulbs that take time to bloom.

Amsterdam Tulip Gardens

Tulip Fields in Full Bloom

Witnessing the beauty of millions of blooming tulips can soothe anyone’s mind. Hence, the tulip fields, spread across acres of land, are one of the highlights of spring in Holland. The most beautiful flower fields can be found in a Dutch flower region called Bollenstreek. Visitors can rent a bike, book a sightseeing tour, or go for a helicopter tour to roam around the fields.

Apart from tulips, the farms showcase other beautiful flowers such as hyacinth, daffodils, and crocus as well. The vibrant color and the smell of these flowers charm the visitors and give a true feeling of spring. The blooming of the flowers depends on the weather in the last winter and early spring. Hence, to enjoy the best of the blooms, it is essential to plan the trip keeping all these in mind.

Amsterdam Tulip Season

Tulip Farms

Visiting a real tulip farm and enjoying the awe-striking beauty of millions of blooming tulips is one of the best experiences of the Amsterdam tulip festival. The tulip farms are of two types. One grows flower bulbs, while the other cultivates flowers. While the first kind of farm mainly concentrates on cultivating and selling flower bulbs for all the gardeners around the world, the other sells the flowers that adorn the shelves of the flower shops all over the globe.

The flower farms that visitors enjoy most during the festival are mostly from the gardeners who grow tulip bulbs but don't sell the flowers. The flowers that are grown for shops are mostly cultivated in large greenhouses. The flowers that are grown in the fields are more attractive and can be enjoyed in their purest form.

Amsterdam Flower Parade

All the events conducted during the spring season in Amsterdam are connected with flowers, especially tulips. This is why spring is considered the best time to see tulips in Holland. The flower parade is one of the most attractive events of the spring festival, and the most popular among them is the Flower parade Bollenstreek.

The parade showcases several floats decorated with hyacinths, daffodils, tulips, and other flowers. Each year the parade represents a different theme, and the theme of the Keukenhof Flower Parade for 2023, which will be held on 22nd April, is freedom. Keukenhof boulevard is one of the best spots to enjoy the parade at its fullest. Since it is located in front of Keukenhof park, visitors can easily combine these two experiences.

Flower Shows at the Keukenhof Tulip Festival 2023

The Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands organizes several flower shows during the spring season. Here’s a list of the Keukenhof flower shows happening this year in case you’re planning a visit.

Oranje Nassau Pavilion

Hyacinths and Tulip Show: 24 March to 29 March
Freesia and Gerbera Show: 31 March to 5 April
Rose Show: 7 April to 12 April
Daffodils and Special Bulb Show: 14 April to 18 April
Alstroemeria: 20 April to 25 April
Lisianthus: 27 April to 2 May
Chrysanthemums and Calla Show: 4 May to 9 May
Carnation and Summer Flowers Show: 11 May to 15 May

Beatrix Pavilion

Anthurium and Orchid Show: 23 March to 14 May

Willem-Alexander Pavilion

Flower and Plant Show: 23 March to 14 May

Other Flower Shows at the Keukenhof Gardens

Holland Heritage Weekend: 1 April to 3 April
Romance at Keukenhof: 7 May to 8 May

Frequently Asked Questions About the Amsterdam Tulip Festival 2023

When is Amsterdam Tulip Festival taking place in 2023?

The Amsterdam Tulip Festival is taking place from 23rd March to 14th May, 2023 at the Keukenhof Gardens. The Amsterdam Flower Parade is set to take place on 22 April 2023.

What is the best time to see tulips in Amsterdam?

The best time to see tulips in Amsterdam is from mid-April to mid-May. This is when the tulips are on display in their full, blooming glory. In 2023, the Tulip Festival is beginning on the 23rd of March and would go on until the 14th of May. To catch the best views and spend some quiet hours at the Gardens, make sure to reach early and visit during weekdays.

What are some of the things to do at the Amsterdam Tulip Festival?

The Amsterdam Tulip Festival marks the beginning of spring in the city. The city is adorned with flowers and to make the most of it, you must plan your visit to the Keukenhof Gardens, sightsee blooming tulip fields, and tulip farms. The Amsterdam Flower Parade is beautiful to witness and shouldn't be missed.

Can I buy tickets to the Amsterdam Tulip Festival?

Yes, you can buy Keukenhof Gardens tickets to witness the Amsterdam Tulip Festival.

Where is the Amsterdam Tulip Festival?

While the Amsterdam Tulip Festival is celebrated throughout the city, Keukenhof Gardens are the main spring season attraction in Amsterdam. The Keukenhof Flower Parade 2023 will take place on 22nd April.

What is the best place to see tulips during the Amsterdam Tulip Festival?

The entire city of Amsterdam celebrates the Tulip Festival with full gusto. However, if you wish to see endless tulip beds in full bloom, the best place to see tulips during the Amsterdam Tulip Festival is the Keukenhof Gardens.

What month do the tulips bloom in Amsterdam?

While there are many flowers that bloom during spring in Amsterdam, the popular tulips that have given the name to the Amsterdam Tulip Festival bloom in mid-April. The blooming of the flowers is heavily dependent on the weather.

Where can I buy tickets to Keukenhof Tulip Festival 2023?

You can book your Keukenhof Gardens tickets online to reserve your spot and avoid standing in long lines. There are many tickets and guided tours with transfers from Amsterdam available for the Keukenhof Tulip Festival 2023.