Harshvardhan Mishra
Every January, when winter still dominates the streets of Amsterdam, the city surprises locals and travelers with an explosion of color. National Tulip Day 2026 marks the official beginning of the Dutch tulip season and transforms a cold winter afternoon into a vibrant floral celebration that attracts tens of thousands of visitors.
Taking place on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 1:00 PM onwards, this iconic event returns for its 13th edition, proving once again that tulips are deeply woven into Dutch culture and identity.
A Free Tulip Picking Experience in the Heart of the City
The centerpiece of National Tulip Day 2026 is a massive tulip picking garden constructed especially for the occasion at Museumplein. Dutch tulip growers fill the square with around 200,000 fresh tulips, creating a breathtaking floral landscape in the middle of winter.
Everyone is welcome to join, and each visitor is allowed to pick up to 10 tulips for free. The result is a joyful scene of smiling faces, colorful bouquets, and shared excitement as people celebrate the start of a new tulip season together.
Why Tulips Are So Special
Tulips are unlike any other flower. Once placed in a vase, they continue to grow, stretch, and gently curve toward the light, giving the impression that they are almost dancing. Their ability to change shape and position makes them feel alive in a way few flowers do.
Because of this unique character, tulips are loved worldwide—and nowhere more passionately than in the Netherlands. National Tulip Day is not just about flowers; it’s about celebrating creativity, movement, and the joy that nature brings into everyday life.
‘United in Bloom!’ – The Theme of 2026
The official theme for National Tulip Day 2026 is “United in Bloom!”. This theme highlights how tulips connect people across cultures, generations, and borders. Standing together in the tulip garden, visitors experience a shared moment of happiness, reminding everyone that beauty has the power to unite.
Celebrating Tulips in the Middle of Winter
Normally, January offers no blooming tulips in the Netherlands. That’s what makes National Tulip Day so extraordinary. For one day only, winter gives way to spring-like colors, and the city collectively welcomes the coming flower season.
From this moment onward, tulips begin to appear in flower shops across Amsterdam and other Dutch cities, signaling that spring is on its way—even if the temperatures say otherwise.
A Brief History of Tulips in the Netherlands
Although tulips are strongly associated with the Netherlands today, they originally came from Central Asia, particularly the Tien Shan mountain region. They arrived in the Netherlands in the late 16th century and quickly captured the imagination of the public.
By the early 17th century, tulips had become so desirable that they sparked Tulip Mania, a period when single bulbs were worth more than houses. This episode remains one of the most famous economic bubbles in history and cemented the tulip’s legendary status.
Tulip Season Beyond National Tulip Day
National Tulip Day is just the beginning. As spring approaches, tulip celebrations continue across the country. Millions of visitors later travel to Keukenhof, the world-famous flower park near Lisse, to witness millions of tulips in full bloom.
Throughout Amsterdam, from museum gardens to private homes, colorful tulips decorate the city well into April. Today, the Netherlands remains the world’s largest tulip producer, exporting around three billion tulips every year.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss National Tulip Day 2026
National Tulip Day 2026 is more than a flower event—it’s a celebration of Dutch tradition, shared joy, and the promise of spring. Free tulips, a lively atmosphere, and the stunning contrast of bright colors against a winter backdrop make it one of Amsterdam’s most memorable annual experiences.
If you’re planning a winter visit to the Netherlands, make sure January 17, 2026, is marked on your calendar. It’s one day when winter truly blooms.
