De Parade: a traveling theater festival for the whole family
One of our absolute favorite festivals? That's spot on The Parade. Do we need to explain that? Onwards then: from Eindhoven via Rotterdam and The Hague to Utrecht and finally in Amsterdam, the Parade theater festival is one big party. Making memories it is! Even if you have less into theater: for the better snacks and drinks (and the associated fun), De Parade has always been the festival to go to.
Every day the Parade starts with the Children's Parade. That is from 14:00 PM. Around 17 p.m. the kids go home (usually then, but late stayers are still welcome) and the grounds fill up again. Float in the swing, swing at the dance and music shows, cry with laughter at the cabaret and without a doubt end up at the bar or with a snack at HotMamaHot. The atmosphere is young and old together, good times only is the message. For the real Parade fans among us: buy a Parade Pass. This gives you unlimited access to all four (Eindhoven and Rotterdam have already been) festival grounds. So please enjoy the tour! Also good to know - you can pay everywhere with PIN here.
Theater festival De Parade from July 5 to July 21 in The Hague, July 26 to August 11 in Utrecht and August 16 to September 1 in Amsterdam.
If you arrive on time, you will end up in a children's paradise De Children's Parade. There is plenty to do here for you and yours kids. Bake poffertjes at Au Gwen Marie or make your own candy lollipop at the Candy Girls. In addition to all the sweets, there is an extensive program for children of all ages. For example, you make crafts at Boks-je-Kunst, which uses everyday waste; you immediately contribute to a better world. There are also all kinds of funny, but also educational, theater performances. Shows for young and old! During the Children's Parade, all bars and catering establishments are also open, so order a jug of sangria while you look at the floating kids you can just look. Around 17 p.m. it fills up with 'adults'.
Perhaps everyone's favorite of the Parade: floating in the whirligig. Every year this is in the middle of the terrain (and is therefore the radiant center). In the evening, when it starts to get dark, this is really a beautiful sight. Then let yourself be shaken in all directions by the man who stands in the middle and occasionally gives your seat a jerk. Tip: buy a polaroid photo in advance that will be taken during your ride. Tip 2: do not put your hands too high in the air - this could cover the face of your glider companion. That would be a shame. Or just a reason to go in again.
Fun fact: the Parade is the only traveling theater festival in the world. All kinds of beautiful, moving and funny plays throughout the day theatrical performances. Dance, music, cabaret and poetry. The shows are spread across the site. Read in advance or view the program in the booklet you receive at the entrance.
Your taste buds will go on a world trip at the Parade, because every... restaurant represents his own cuisine. An Asian snackbox (think spring rolls, dumplings, sticky wings and bao buns) at HotMamaHot, a spicy Indian curry at Tante Naan and to top it all off, an Italian wood-oven baked flatbread at Casa Nova. Tour around the world complete. Make your own shared dining table, because you can sit anywhere with any dish. Or start early and alternate the shows with a snack from a different truck each time. Of course, nothing beats eating all day long.
This is also well arranged. There are several bars around the site hydrate, each with its own specialty. The Juicys, the Candy Girls, the Wine Bar and Biercafé Katrina, for example, to name just a few. So from smoothies to G&Ts to limo to beer: you will find plenty!
Be sure to drop by as well Hendrick's Curious Cucumber Cabaret. That's the same unusual as it sounds. When you find the right route, you'll discover the star of the show: Hendrick's limited edition gin Grand Cabaret. This exclusive edition of the world's most idiosyncratic gin is based on a historic spirit that was bon ton in early 20th century Paris. Grand Cabaret can be tasted for the first time at the Parade.
Would you rather stay true to the classic gin & tonic? At the Parade, the classic Hendrick's Gin with infusions of rose and cucumber and the fruity fook can be ordered at various bars at the festival.
Hendrick's Curieuze Komkommer Cabaret can be seen in The Hague (5 – 21 July), Utrecht (26 July – 11 August) and Amsterdam (16 August – 1 September). Separate reservations for the cucumber cabaret are not necessary.
