Bloemencorso Zundert Flower Festival

Every September, the small town of Zundert in the south of the Netherlands bursts with color, fragrance, and community pride for the world’s largest flower festival: Bloemencorso Zundert. Over two days, visitors from all over the world are captivated by gigantic floats-some over 9 meters tall-entirely covered with millions of locally grown dahlias. The sight is breathtaking, a unique fusion of art, teamwork, and Dutch community spirit that you won’t find anywhere else.

The parade is held on the first Sunday of September, followed by a float exhibition day. The sweet scent of fresh flowers, the sound of music and laughter filling the town, and the spectacle of “moving works of art” create an unforgettable atmosphere. Whether you’re a flower lover, a photographer, or a family looking for a unique adventure, Bloemencorso Zundert promises an autumn experience you’ll never forget.

The Parade of Giant Dahlia Floats

Float Exhibition, Street Festival, and Related Events

The origins of Bloemencorso Zundert date back to 1936, when a parade of flower-decorated bicycles and horse carts was held to celebrate Queen Wilhelmina’s birthday. To allow more people to participate, the event was moved to the first Sunday of September in 1938, and after WWII, both the scale and artistry of the parade grew dramatically. Today, twenty hamlets compete, and only dahlias are used-over 8 million each year, with 6 million grown in Zundert alone.

From flower cultivation to float construction and parade management, everything is done by volunteers, making the event a symbol of pride and unity across generations. In 2021, Dutch flower parade culture (corso culture), with Zundert at its heart, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

I had never seen such huge and intricate floats before-I was blown away. The whole town was filled with pride and energy, and hearing from a volunteer who’s been building floats since childhood was truly moving.

• Bloemencorso Zundert is the largest flower parade in the world, using over 8 million dahlias each year.
• Only dahlias are used to decorate the floats, with more than 6 million grown in Zundert annually.
• The event has been held every year except during WWII and in 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic).
• In 2021, Dutch flower parade culture (“corso culture”) was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Bloemencorso Zundert takes place every year on the first Sunday and Monday of September in Zundert. Arrive early to secure a grandstand seat and experience the world’s greatest celebration of dahlias, creativity, and community passion!