17 Jan 2026
The NetherlandsOn January 17, 2026, you can join the Dutch in defying the winter chill with a burst of floral color at the 14th edition of National Tulip Day.
When: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (or until the flowers are gone). Where: Museumplein, Amsterdam (located right behind the Rijksmuseum). Theme: "United in Bloom" celebrating the flower’s power to connect people across all borders.
Free admission to the picking garden. Each visitor receives a special biodegradable bag to pick up to 10 free tulips to take home.
You find yourself in the heart of Amsterdam on January 17, 2026, where the biting winter wind usually keeps the city in a grey slumber. But as you walk toward the Museumplein, the usual backdrop of grand museums is replaced by an impossible explosion of color. In the middle of the square, a massive garden of 200,000 tulips has appeared overnight, their vibrant petals standing tall against the frost. This is the official start of the Dutch tulip season, and for this landmark 14th edition, the air is filled with the upbeat rhythm of traditional brass bands and the sweet scent of a million blooms that shouldn't exist in the middle of January.
You join the excited crowd as the clock strikes one, stepping into a sea of red, yellow, and purple flowers for the United in Bloom celebration. The atmosphere is electric with a sense of shared joy as people from all over the world gather to pick their own free bouquet from the specially designed garden. As you carefully select your ten tulips to carry back to your car, you realize this is more than just a photo opportunity. It is a moment of pure Dutch magic where the community comes together to defy the winter chill and welcome the first signs of spring with open arms.
Why visit National Tulip Day?
- Official Start of the Season This event marks the official beginning of the Dutch tulip season and provides a rare chance to see 200,000 blooming flowers in the middle of winter. It is a unique cultural tradition where the city transforms into a vibrant garden for a few magical hours of celebration.
- A Free Gift Every visitor is invited to pick a bouquet of ten tulips completely free of charge to bring some Dutch color back to their home. The organizers even provide special biodegradable bags so your fresh flowers stay protected while you continue your journey through the city.
- The United in Bloom Anniversary Theme The 2026 theme focuses on bringing people together through the universal language of flowers to celebrate the 14th year of this beautiful public festival. You will experience a festive atmosphere filled with live music and upbeat brass bands that turn the square into a massive outdoor party.
- Perfect Museum District Location Because the garden is located at Museumplein you can easily pair your flower picking with a visit to the world famous Van Gogh Museum or the Rijksmuseum (which is ranked in the top 10 of the worlds best museums). It is the most scenic part of the city for road trippers to explore before heading deeper into the historic canal ring.
- Explore Amsterdam Centre Afterwards After you have secured your tulips you can take a fifteen minute walk into the historic center to enjoy the final weekend of the Amsterdam Light Festival. The city center is also the perfect place to grab warm fries or a fresh stroopwafel while admiring the 17th century architecture along the water.
National Tulip Day is a relatively new tradition with deep roots in Dutch culture. While tulips have been a symbol of the Netherlands since the 17th century Tulip Mania, this specific event was launched in 2012 by a group of over 400 Dutch tulip growers known as Tulip Promotion Netherlands. Their goal is simple: to share their passion for the flower and officially mark the beginning of the "indoor" tulip season.
For over a decade the festival was held at the historic Dam Square. As the event grew in popularity, it moved to the more spacious Museumplein to accommodate the thousands of visitors who travel from across the globe. What began as a local promotional event has blossomed into a world famous celebration where growers voluntarily bring 200,000 of their finest blooms to the city center. By the time the 2026 edition arrives, this tradition will have celebrated 14 years of turning a cold winter day into a vibrant public garden for everyone to enjoy.
Like to plan a trip to national-tulip-day?
Enter your location and we’ll help you plan your adventure
