Zundert Flower Parade
The world’s largest and most impressive flower parade made entirely by volunteers, Zundert Flower Parade (also known as Bloemencorso Zundert) is taking place in Zundert, the North Brabant town which is also famous for being the birthplace of the world-renowned impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh!
Bloemencorso Zundert : Local flower battle and cultural heritage
During the flower parade, 20 of the most impressive flower floats you’ll ever see are presented in a flurry of amazement and awe, to the beat of local marching bands. Very often, the gigantic sculptures are so detailed and professionally crafted that you might not even realise that their entire surface consists of little flowers.
Photo credit: Erwin Martens
Local communities battle for the award of best float, using the area’s luscious dahlia fields in a year-long preparation for the big parade and exhibition in September. Zundert has been organising the spectacular event for over 80 years. In 2012, Zundert Flower Parade was the first Dutch tradition to make it into the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Zundert Flower Parade 2024: A way of life with flowers
The parade is run by thousands of volunteers who contribute in many different ways, from maintaining the flower fields to designing and creating the gigantic artworks that impress visitors year after year. For the volunteers, Zundert Flower Parade is more than a project: it is a way of life.
Photo credit: Erwin Martens
Plan your visit to Zundert Flower Parade (Bloemencorso Zundert)
On Sunday, September 1, from 1.30pm onwards, the flowery artworks of the Zundert Flower Parade (Bloemencorso Zundert) move along the streets of Zundert in a glorious parade. When the winner is announced, the triumphant float comes to a halt and is then surrounded by its dedicated builders who are cheered on for the epic proportions of their accomplishment.
On Monday, September 2, from 9am, the floats will be on display in a grand exhibition for the public.
Extra buses (number 115) run between Breda and Zundert for the weekend, and there is a temporary stop right by the entrance to the parade area, so arriving by public transport is definitely an option. However, Zundert is quite remote for the Netherlands, so there are designated parking areas for those who want to drive in, with parking costing 5 euros per car.
You need a ticket to enter the parade area. These costs 13 euros for anyone over 12 years of age, and can be bought on the Zundert Flower Parade website. You can also pay extra to reserve a seat in the grandstand if you want the best possible view of these amazing creations.
Thumb photo credit: Erwin Martens