Event: Netherlands - Aalsmeer

Aalsmeer Flower Parade

When:	6 Sep 2008 (annual)
Where:	Aalsmeer
Costs:	Free
Opening Hours:	8.30am

The Aalsmer Flower Parade is a sight not to be missed. Visit the town on the days beforehand to catch the preparations and see the floats in all their glory before they begin their journey to Amsterdam via Amstelveen.

The celebrations surrounding the Flower Parade always start on the Thursday evening with the Night of Aalsmeer. Scores of flower arrangers beaver away until midnight to change thousands of buckets brimming with flowers into spectacular carnival floats. All you have to do is wander around the town to enjoy the industry at work. You may well be asked to help though, so don't be too eager.

On the Friday the parade is led to the centre of Aalsmeer. As night falls, the floats are lit in preparation for the 5km parade to Amsterdam, which begins on Saturday morning at 8.30am.

After reaching Amstelveen, the parade continues down Amsterdamseweg and the Amstelveensweg towards the Olympic Stadium, where on Saturday afternoon there is a full programme of musical entertainment and parade of the carnival floats. On Saturday evening Parade Boulevard is the place to be for an illuminated boat show and a huge firework display.