Bloemencorso

Floats, cars and boats

At the heart of every bloemencorso is a procession of elaborate show floats, known locally as praalwagens. Builders cover these large timber and wire structures with dense arrangements of cut flowers. In addition to traditional wheeled floats, ordinary motor cars and even water vessels take part in certain localities. Some canal towns adapt the custom to waterways, creating floating floral displays that drift through town. The designs change from year to year because each host community selects an original concept or motif for its pageant. Spectators gather along streets and riverbanks to watch the sculptures pass.

Roots and recognition

The custom of parading with floral decorations dates back to the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, these pageants evolved from modest folk processions into large community projects. In December 2021, UNESCO officially recognised the flower and fruit parade culture of the Netherlands. The organisation inscribed the tradition on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition honours the social bonds and shared craftsmanship that sustain the parades across dozens of Dutch towns and villages.

Regional parade traditions

Many municipalities across the Low Countries stage their own distinctive parades. In the Netherlands, famous routes include the Bollenstreek parade running through Noordwijk, Lisse, and Haarlem, as well as the event in Zundert, which is the largest flower parade in the world. Parades also occur in places such as Valkenswaard, Lichtenvoorde, and Westland. In Belgium, towns including Blankenberge, Loenhout, Hergenrath, and Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde hold their own celebrated processions. Each locality maintains its own traditions, building methods, and volunteer network.

How Bloemencorso is kept

Towns and regional associations organise the parade once a year around a chosen theme. Participants construct massive floats, decorate cars, or arrange floral displays on boats using thousands of cut flowers. On the day of the event, the decorated praalwagens and vehicles proceed through public streets or along canals. Residents and visitors assemble along the parade route to view the moving floral artwork.

When and where

The parades take place once a year. Each host town or district establishes its own individual date on the annual calendar, with many communities continuing their traditional schedules season after season.

The tradition thrives throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. It is staged in many towns and regions, ranging from Zundert and the Bollenstreek bulb-growing area in the Netherlands to Belgian communities such as Blankenberge and Loenhout.

Questions people ask about Bloemencorso

See also

Mardi GrasA festive day of parades and rich foods marking the final celebration before the Christian fasting season of Lent beginsSt. Martin's DayA November feast of lantern walks, bonfires, roast goose and new wineKing's DayA Dutch national holiday celebrating the monarch's birthday with street markets and orange attire.Festivity of Saint BlaiseAn annual patron saint festival in Dubrovnik with processions, relics and doves

Good reading and sources

• Corso culture, flower and fruit parades in the NetherlandsUNESCO, Heritage listing
• Corso culture, flower and fruit parades in the NetherlandsUNESCO, Article

• Bloemencorso on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.