Keukenhof Flower Festival – Netherlands 2026

Background & History

The Keukenhof Flower Festival, held annually in Lisse, Netherlands, is renowned as the “Garden of Europe,” showcasing the Netherlands’ world-famous floriculture, particularly its iconic tulips. The festival’s origins date back to the 15th century, when the area, called “Keukenduyn” (kitchen dunes), was used by Countess Jacqueline of Bavaria (1401–1436) for hunting and gathering herbs for Teylingen Castle’s kitchen. In 1641, Keukenhof Castle was built, and in 1857, landscape architects Jan David Zocher and Louis Paul Zocher, known for designing Amsterdam’s Vondelpark, reimagined the castle’s gardens in the English landscape style, forming the basis of today’s park.

In 1949, 20 prominent bulb growers and exporters launched Keukenhof as a spring bulb exhibition, opening to the public in 1950 with 236,000 visitors. Now attracting over 1.5 million visitors annually, the 32-hectare park plants over 7 million bulbs each year, including 800 tulip varieties, hyacinths, daffodils, and crocuses. The 2026 season, marking the 76th edition, highlights Dutch horticultural innovation, sustainable practices, and the cultural significance of tulips, which sparked the 17th-century tulip mania, a pivotal moment in Dutch economic history. Keukenhof also supports local bulb farmers and promotes biodiversity through eco-conscious gardening.

Event Highlights

• Main Activities or Performances: Visitors can explore 15 km of scenic paths winding through vibrant flower displays, attend daily flower shows in five pavilions (e.g., Juliana Pavilion’s Tulpomania exhibition on tulip history), and join guided bike or walking tours through the Bollenstreek’s bulb fields. The park offers hands-on workshops in flower arranging, bulb planting demonstrations, and family-friendly activities like treasure hunts, a maze, and a petting zoo.
• Special Traditions or Features: The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek (Flower Parade) on April 18, 2026, features dazzling floats covered in millions of flowers, crafted by local communities and accompanied by brass bands and performers in traditional Dutch attire. Keukenhof’s annual theme (TBD for 2026) shapes its garden designs, art installations, and exhibits, creating a fresh experience each year.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: The park hosts the Netherlands’ largest open-air sculpture garden, with art blending seamlessly into floral landscapes. Electric whisper boat tours glide through canals for close-up views of tulip fields, while a historic windmill offers panoramic photo opportunities. Keukenhof Castle, a 17th-century landmark, and inspirational gardens showcasing modern design trends add historical and creative depth.

Date & Duration

• Dates: March 19 – May 10, 2026
• Duration: 53 days (8 weeks)

Venue / Location

Keukenhof Gardens is located at Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse, Netherlands, in the heart of the Bollenstreek, roughly 40 km southwest of Amsterdam and 20 km from Leiden. The 32-hectare park features themed gardens (historical, Japanese, and contemporary), five indoor pavilions (Oranje Nassau, Wilhelmina, Juliana, Beatrix, and Willem-Alexander), tranquil ponds, and a central lake ideal for photography. A working windmill provides elevated views of the vibrant bulb fields surrounding the park, which stretch across the region and are best seen via bike or boat tours.

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold: Tickets are sold exclusively online through keukenhof.nl, Tiqets.com, GetYourGuide, or Tours & Tickets, starting in November 2025. Timed entry slots limit daily visitors to ~50,000, and no on-site ticket sales are available. Combo tickets (e.g., entrance + shuttle or canal cruise) are recommended for convenience.
• Pricing (in USD):
  • Adult (18+): $22.60 (€20.50) online; $27.60 (€25) at entrance (if available).
  • Children (4–17): $9.90 (€9).
  • Children (0–3): Free.
  • Parking: $9.90–$16.50 (€9–€15) per day, bookable online.
  • Keukenhof + Shuttle Bus (from Amsterdam, Leiden, or Schiphol): $38.50–$57.80 (€35–€52.50).
  • Tulip Festival Card (entrance, shuttle, canal cruise, digital guide): $63.80 (€58).
  • Keukenhof + Amsterdam Canal Cruise: $36.30 (€33).
  • Guided Bike Tour (2–3 hours): $54.50 (€49.50).
  • Whisper Boat Tour (45 minutes): $11 (€10).
• Special Seating or VIP Options: No dedicated VIP seating, but the Tulip Festival Card offers premium perks like priority shuttle access and discounts on regional attractions. Group rates for 20+ people or student groups are available; email info@keukenhof.nl. Private guided tours or exclusive evening access for small groups can be arranged for a premium.

Contact Information

• Email: info@keukenhof.nl (general inquiries); pr@keukenhof.nl (press); volunteer inquiries via info@keukenhof.nl (TBD).
• Phone: +31 252 465 555 (visitor services, supports English, Dutch, German, French).
• Website: https://keukenhof.nl
• Social Media: @Keukenhof (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter/X) for bloom updates and theme announcements.
• Key Staff: Not publicly listed; contact via info@keukenhof.nl for event management.
• Press/Volunteers: Press accreditation via pr@keukenhof.nl; volunteer roles (e.g., guides, event staff) via info@keukenhof.nl.
• Lost and Found: Lost items are logged on iLost (via keukenhof.nl) within one week. Verify ownership online for pickup or delivery.
• Note: Response time is 24–48 hours. Multilingual support available.

Cultural Experience

Keukenhof is a vibrant celebration of Dutch heritage, centered on tulips, which have defined the Netherlands’ identity since the 17th-century tulip mania, when bulbs were traded like stocks. The festival features traditional Dutch elements, including wooden clogs as planters, a working windmill, and the Bloemencorso parade, where locals in historical costumes accompany flower-covered floats. The Tulpomania exhibition in the Juliana Pavilion explores the tulip’s cultural and economic legacy.

Visitors can enjoy live performances of Dutch folk music, classical concerts, and street theater, alongside workshops teaching traditional flower-arranging techniques. Sustainability is emphasized through exhibits on eco-friendly bulb cultivation, reflecting modern Dutch values of environmental stewardship. The park’s serene atmosphere, with blooming flowers and water features, embodies the Dutch appreciation for nature and precision.

Food & Drinks

• Must-Try Specialties: Indulge in Dutch favorites like stroopwafels (caramel-filled waffle cookies), poffertjes (mini pancakes with powdered sugar), raw herring with onions, and bitterballen (fried meatballs with mustard). Spring specialties include white asparagus with hollandaise sauce and vlaai (fruit-filled tart). Vegan options, like plant-based stroopwafels and salads, are available.
• Dining Options: Five dining areas, including the Wilhelmina Pavilion’s restaurant (Dutch and international cuisine) and open-air terraces with garden views, serve meals. Food stalls offer quick bites like friet (Dutch fries with mayonnaise). Picnics are allowed in designated areas (no outside alcohol). Nearby Lisse restaurants, such as De Oude Veiling or Den Ouden Heere, provide upscale Dutch dining.
• Beverages: Sip Dutch hot chocolate, local beers (Heineken, Amstel, or craft brews), or jenever (Dutch gin). Coffee, tea, and fresh fruit juices complement pastries like appeltaart (Dutch apple pie).

Getting There

• By Air: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), 30 km away (20–30 minutes by car/bus), is the primary gateway. Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM), 50 km away (45 minutes), is an alternative.
• By Public Transport: The Keukenhof Express (bus 858) runs from Schiphol to Keukenhof (30 minutes, $11–$16.50 round trip). From Amsterdam (RAI or Central Station), Leiden, Haarlem, or The Hague, use KeukenhofBuzz or regional buses (Arriva/Connexxion). Combo tickets (bus + entrance) streamline travel. Trains to Leiden or Haarlem connect to Keukenhof buses.
• By Car: Take the A4 (exit Nieuw-Vennep) or A44 (exit 3 Lisse) from Amsterdam (30–40 minutes). Parking costs $9.90–$16.50 (€9–€15) per day, reservable online. Electric vehicle charging is available.
• By Bike: Rent bikes at Keukenhof or Lisse ($11–$15/day) for scenic rides through bulb fields. Guided bike tours explore the Bollenstreek.
• Accessibility: Fully wheelchair-accessible with paved paths, accessible restrooms, and rentable wheelchairs/scooters ($5.50–$11/day).

Accommodation Options

• In Lisse, Hotel Restaurant de Engel ($80–$100/night) offers budget-friendly stays; Boutique Suites Lisse ($120–$150/night) provides modern comfort.
• In Amsterdam (40 km): NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace ($200–$300/night) or citizenM ($120–$180/night) cater to different budgets.
• In Leiden/Haarlem (20–25 km): Van der Valk Hotel Leiden ($130–$160/night) or Amrâth Grand Hotel Frans Hals ($110–$140/night) are convenient.
• Alternatives: Airbnb in Lisse, Leiden, or Haarlem ($70–$150/night) offers cozy options. Camping de Tulpenweide in the Bollenstreek provides tent/RV pitches ($20–$40/night).
• Tips: Book by October 2025, especially for the Flower Parade (April 18, 2026). Festival packages with tickets and shuttles are available through platforms like GetYourGuide.