If you were in Amsterdam on the third Saturday in January this year, i.e. the 18th, then you were very lucky indeed as this was National Tulip Day!
With this unique event, now in its 13th year, the Dutch celebrate the start of the tulip season and from that day on, the nation’s favourite flower is promoted in flower shops everywhere.

At Museumplein in the heart of Amsterdam, they had created a tulip-picking garden with up to 200,000 tulips and at 1.00pm, the garden was opened, and everyone was welcome to pick a free bunch of tulips (maximum 10 stems). They were even given a biodegradable tulip bag to put them in! And albeit that the weather was wet and soggy this year, it did not put a damper on things. People turned out in their hundreds nonetheless.

This year’s National Tulip Day was dedicated to celebrating Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary and the entire tulip season carries the slogan: ‘Celebrate your Date!‘ They simply ask: “Do you have something to celebrate? Then give a beautiful bouquet of tulips as a gift.” We are sure many will heed their advice.
And if you missed this year’s event, then fear not as the date has already been set for next year; Saturday 17 January 2026!