The Flower Parade ends in Haarlem around 8-9:00pm, Saturday night. Any advice on where to best watch the parade? We are staying in Haarlem. Of course, an elevated location is probably best, if one exists. I'm assuming there will be a festival atmosphere in the evening. Also, should we get dinner/bar reservations now? We aren't big foodies, not picky, , I just can't get a pix of what the town will be like that evening. Would like not to be in the back of the viewing crowd.
Thanks to all, as I wouldn't know about the Flower Parade unless you all here had the info. I don't remember to whom to give credit.
I'll get up early the next morning to see the floats in the daylight when they are on display, before we leave.
Thanks again, you all have are making this a spectacular trip. Safe travels to all!
Posted by
California USA
4114 posts
We were staying for 3 weeks in Zandvoort in 2018 and went to Haarlem on the night the parade came into town and returned the next day to see the floats up close in daylight. These floats are much smaller than the Rose Bowl Parade floats if you’ve seen those. They have creative themes but the use of 100% vegetation isn’t a requirement so be prepared for that. When we went to watch the parade enter then town, the street that they close off for the stationary floats the following day was crowded with lots of excited people and families. We just kept walking toward the area we knew the parade would be coming from until the crowd thinned out and there were only a handful of people around us when the parade rolled in at about 9pm. We didn’t eat in Haarlem that evening but there were food vendors and plenty of places to eat the following day when many more people spent the day watching street performers, viewing the floats up close and eating at the vendors and restaurants. Enjoy both days and experiences!
Posted by
OP
San Diego, California
5647 posts
Mona, thanks so much!
Posted by
California USA
4114 posts
Here’s a description of the flower day parade and a map. I was stunned that a parade could last 12+ hours since there are walking people in the parade but I see that they take a couple of breaks along the 26(!) mile route. I noticed that for 2024 the arrival time in Haarlem is expected at 9:50 PM.
https://tulipfestivalamsterdam.com/flower-parade-route-and-directions/
Posted by
OP
San Diego, California
5647 posts
Mona, once again, thanks so much!