Hundreds of sirens on police cars, fire engines and ambulances will sound across Amsterdam on Friday afternoon as the annual Kinderbeestfeest charity event takes place.

In total, 350 vehicles will wind their way through the city in convoy, sirens blazing, as they take 1,250 children with disabilities or chronic health problems to a party at the city’s zoo.

This is the 19th year that the event – the children’s beast feast – takes place. In total, 5,000 children, family members and carers are expected to attend the event, which starts in the late afternoon.

Several roads around the zoo will be closed while the event takes place and trams 9 and 14 will be re-routed.