Every year on the 3rd Saturday in January people in the Netherlands celebrate National Tulip Day. Amsterdam’s Museum Square turns into a huge tulip garden filled with flowers. Everyone is invited to come and pick a bouquet!
When: 17 January 2026, from 13:00
Where: Museum square in Amsterdam
How to get there: plan your route with the Glimble public transport app:
Photo credits: Kristina Kutena
In 2026 National Tulip Day in Amsterdam will be celebrated on Saturday 17 January 2026.
At the entrance to the tulip picking garden you will receive a special tulip bag. You can pick maximum 10 tulips (it’s free). An average waiting time at the tulip picking garden is 30 – 60 minutes.
Tip! You can combine your visit to the tulip garden with a visit to one of Amsterdam’s most famous museums. Four of them – the Van Gogh museum, Rijsmuseum, Moco museum and Stedelijk museum are also located on Museum square. Make sure you book tickets in advance.
On 17 and 18 January 2026 you can still visit the Amsterdam Light Festival. It’s a closing festival weekend this season. Book your tickets online.
More tulips locations and events to visit in the Netherlands:
- Keukenhof tulip gardens (open from 19 March till 10 May 2026). Tickets are already available!
- Tulip fields (in bloom in April – beginning of May)
- Tulip festival in Amsterdam (1 – 30 April 2026)
- Bloemencorso flower parade (18 – 19 April 2026)
Dutch tulips. One L O V E. Do you agree?
The mosaic is built of approximately 200 000 flowers.
Blooming tulips and the Royal Palace – a truly Dutch scene!
National Tulip Day has been celebrated at Dam Square since 2012. On this day the tulip season officially starts. It’s #tijdvoortulpen!
So much fun for old and young!
You might have noticed that visitors are picking flowers with the bulbs. Don’t worry! This is how it’s supposed to be. The bulb has already used all its power on the tulip, so it won’t flower again.
It was a great flower day in Amsterdam! Are you also planning to see the Dutch tulips this season? In 2025 the Keukenhof tulip gardens are open from 20 March untill 11 May. The Flower Parade Bloemencorso Bollenstreek will take place on 18 – 19 April 2026. We hope to see you there!
Our special thanks to Sandra Balk from Creatizz – Promotie Sierteelt for being our guide to the world of Dutch flowers and Kristina Kutena, a professional photographer in Amsterdam for the amazing photo moments!
Visiting Amsterdam? Plan your trip
- Arriving to the Netherlands by plane? This is how you can easily get from the airport to the city center by train or bus.
- There are hundreds hotels in Amsterdam for every taste and bugdet. We recommend Ambassade hotel or De Ware Jacob Boutique Hotel, both walking distance from Museumplein.
- Travel by public transport in Amsterdam with an unlimited pass for 1-7 days. With Amsterdam Travel ticket you can also travel from/to the airport by train or bus.
- Alternatively buy the I amsterdam city card, which includes city transport, museums entrance, canal cruise and bike rental.
- Check out the things to do in Amsterdam and book museum tickets in advance.
- Make your trip to the Netherlands complete by visiting Giethoorn (the Dutch Venice), Volendam and Zaanse Schans.
Related articles:
- Tulip Festivals in Amsterdam
- Amsterdam tulip season – top 5 things to do
- What is the best time to visit Keukenhof?
- Tulip fields in the Netherlands
- Keukenhof 2026: plan your visit!
If you liked this article, please share it with fellow travellers!