Flower parades
Flower parades are a typical Dutch tradition. These parades consist of floats decorated with thousands of flowers. The parades of these moving works of art made of dahlias, for example, belong to the national heritage. There are three annual flower parades and sailing light parades in The other Holland.
Due to COVID-19 measures, the 2020 parades have been cancelled. It is uncertain whether the parades will take place in 2021.
Sint Jansklooster parade - 20 and 21 August 2021
Some of the towering floats of the Sint Jansklooster parade are made up of more than 350,000 dahlias, which have all been manually pricked onto the float just days before the parade. There are 12 large floats in this parade with marching bands in between. The event starts at 14:00 and lasts 2 to 3 hours.
In the evening parade, which starts at 20:30, the floats are all lit up for the largest lit flower parade in the world.
The parade festival is between 12:00 and 16:00 on Saturday. The floats are all parked and can be admired from up close. There is also an extensive programme with street theatre and activities for children.
The Sint Jansklooster parade takes place annually on the third Friday of August. In 2021 this is on 20 and 21 August. The parades are at 14:00 and 20:30.
Sint Jansklooster flower parade | cc@corsoklooster.nl | +31 (0) 646 104 858
- Special parking for touring cars
- Grandstand seating is available and easily accessible
- Entrance fee €12.50, including grandstand seating
- There are food trucks on location
Lichtenvoorde flower parade
In the town of Lichtenvoorde in the Achterhoek, the parade consists of majestic floats decorated with up to four million colourful dahlias. The flower parade in Lichtenvoorde is on the National Inventory List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
With a promotional caravan in front of the parade and 18 large and 30 children-made floats, Lichtenvoorde is the second-largest parade in the Netherlands. The parade takes about 2.5 hours.
It takes place annually on the second Sunday of September.
Lichtenvoorde flower parade | pr@bloemencorso.com
- Touring cars have close access to the route
- The traffic surrounding the event is managed
- Grandstand seating is available
- Food and drinks available along the route
- Entrance fee €7.50
- Packages available with hotels and visits to the float building
VOLLENHOVE FLOWER PARADE - 28 August 2021
Unique to the Vollenhove flower parade is the location. The floats drive through a charming old town. Vollenhove was a suburb of the Hanseatic League. The parade consists of 11 floats of up to 12 metres high, with marching bands in between.
The Vollenhove flower parade takes place annually on the last Saturday in August. The 2021 edition will be on 28 August.
The event starts at 14:00 and takes 2 hours. The floats are paraded twice, once at 14:00 and once at 20:30.
Vollenhove flower parade | info@corsovollenhove.nl
- Parking for touring cars
- Grandstand seating is available and easily accessible
- Visitor guidance
- A food plaza on site
- Entrance fee €9, grandstand seating fee € 5
- The week before the parade it is possible to visit the builders on the open day
ON-WATER PARADES - July & August 2021
The Belt-Schutsloot gondola parade
The Belt-Schutsloot gondola parade consists of impressive, floating creations with technical highlights, music and figuration. Twelve groups participate in the parade with towering gondolas between 12 and 14 metres long. The village gardens along the water are also beautifully lit during the event.
The event takes place annually on the second Friday of August.
Giethoorn
Towering illuminated gondolas sail through the romantic water village, creating a truly fairytale-like experience.
The event takes place at 16:00 on the last Saturday of August. Entrance fee €5 pp. or €4 pp. for groups.
Giethoorn gondola parade | info@gondelvaartgiethoorn.nl
Dwarsgracht
During the summer holidays, the builders treat residents and tourist to artistic or humorous creations that glide along the village's characteristic canals.
Dwarsgracht gondola parade | Every last Saturday of July