Every year on the third Saturday in January the Netherlands celebrate National Tulip Day. This is the day when the tulip season officially starts. On this day Amsterdam’s Museum Square turns into a huge flower garden filled with tulips. Everyone is invited to come and pick a bouquet of beautiful tulips for free!
National Tulip day 2026 in the short:
When: 17 January 2026, from 13:00
Where: Museum square in Amsterdam
All photos in this post were taken by Amsterdam photographer Kristina Kutena.
Winter in Amsterdam: plan your trip
- Arriving to the Netherlands by plane? Travel from the airport to the city center by train or bus.
- There are hundreds of hotels in Amsterdam for every taste. We recommend Ambassade hotel, Andaz Prinsengracht and other hotels in the Nine Streets area on the canal belt of Amsterdam.
- 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 public transport, museums entrance, canal cruise and 24 hours bike rental.
- Check out the things to do in Amsterdam and book museum tickets in advance.
- Make your trip complete by visiting Giethoorn (the Dutch Venice), Volendam and Zaanse Schans.
Amsterdam Tulip day rules
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.
Tips!
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.
Amsterdam Tulip day photos
The mosaic is built of approximately 200 000 flowers.
Are you planning to see the Dutch tulips this season?
In 2026 the Keukenhof tulip gardens are open from 19 March untill 10 May. The Flower Parade Bloemencorso Bollenstreek will take place on 18 – 19 April 2026. See you there!
Enjoy the Tulip day 2026 in Amsterdam!
Related articles:
- Tulip Festivals in Amsterdam
- Keukenhof tickets
- When is the best time to visit Keukenhof?
- Dutch Flower Parade: Saturday 18 April, 2026
- Day trips from Amsterdam: where to go?
- Amsterdam itinerary: best of the city in 2 days
- Best of Amsterdam in two days: part 2
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