Bloemencorso Zundert Flower Festival

Name: Bloemencorso Zundert Flower Festival
Start: 2025-09-06
End: 2025-09-07
Location: Zundert

Autumn in the Netherlands, Where the World’s Largest Dahlia Dream Blooms

2026/09/05 - 2026/09/06

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.

Main Attractions

The Parade of Giant Dahlia Floats

The essence of Bloemencorso Zundert is the parade of giant floats, created by twenty hamlets (buurtschappen) competing for the top prize. Each float can be up to 19 meters long and 9 meters high, covered with hundreds of thousands of dahlias, and often features moving parts and dramatic lighting. Hundreds of volunteers spend months preparing, with the final week-known as “Stick Week”-turning the whole town into a hive of activity as the flowers are attached.

On parade day, Zundert is filled with the vibrant colors of dahlias, creativity, and local pride. A professional jury judges the floats, making it a fierce but friendly competition where each hamlet’s pride is on the line.

Float Exhibition, Street Festival, and Related Events

The day after the parade, the floats are exhibited up close, allowing visitors to admire every detail, talk to the creators, and take photos. The weekend is packed with live music, food stalls, and street markets, turning the whole town into a festival. In June, miniature models are unveiled, and in the final “Stick Week,” the entire community comes together for the final push, building excitement to its peak.

Cultural and Historical Background

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.

Participant Voices

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.

Fun Facts

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.

Festival Dates

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!