Westland's Varend Corso boat parade launches with crowds and new partners

The annual Varend Corso Westland opened on 19 June 2026, showcasing 41 elaborately decorated boats that drifted past South Holland’s canals. The theme, “One Great Adventure”, featured tropical islands, mermaids, Chinese dragons and other fantastical displays. Mayor Bouke Arends praised the event as a showcase of the region’s horticulture and a source of pride for residents, while the province of South Holland and Rabobank signed on as new partners.

Live‑blog updates reported tens of thousands of spectators along the route, with visitors singing, buying ice cream from a floating vendor and donating to support the parade. The boats passed landmarks in ‘s‑Gravenzande, Poeldijk, The Hague and other Westland towns, and commentators highlighted the variety of flowers, vegetables and fruit displayed on board. The event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors over its three‑day run.

Organisers stress that the Corso promotes social cohesion and draws attention to the Dutch horticulture sector, with proceeds helping to fund future editions of the parade.