Spring in our backyards is traditionally marked by the arrival of robins darting in trees, frogs croaking, and a gorgeous blaze of tulips. These spring-blooming bulb plants originated in Central Asia, but have spread across the globe, inspiring many tulip festival events and special dedicated mass displays.
In the Netherlands, tulips were valued so highly that they inspired tulip mania, with bulbs even used as currency. While that particular tulip frenzy may have died down, their bright, beautiful blooms still excite admiration and attention – and tulip festivals can still be enjoyed in countries around the world.
So if you love growing tulips, keep these key celebrations in mind. Hopefully they will inspire some bold shows of color in your own gardens – and don’t forget to boost your own bulb displays with well appointed companion planting florals like Snow Crystals sweet alyssum and Tiger Eyes marigolds, both available in the Gardening Know How Shop.
For a sea of color that can take over once your tulips fade, Park Seed zinnias are the perfect sowing option. Grab your seed at the Gardening Know How Shop.
Enjoy the Best Tulip Festivals Around the World
The phrase “East or west, home’s best” doesn’t apply to tulip festivals. Although you can find tulips aplenty in the United States, there are several incredible tulip festivals scattered around the globe. You may be looking for inspiration for your own multi-season bulb garden or just want to enjoy innovative bursts of color – but if you are trying to discover the very best tulip festival 2025, here’s our shortlist of the top tulip events to consider.
1. Canadian Tulip Festival, Ottawa, Canada
Ottawa – Canada’s capital city – became invested in tulips after World War II, since the Dutch queen escaped the Nazis by coming to the Canadian city. After the war, the queen offered Ottawa a huge gift of tulip bulbs – and even today, millions of bulbs are planted in 40 different gardens in the city. These are celebrated in the Canadian Tulip Festival, considered the world’s largest.
The 11-day festival covers all hues of blooms from unusual dark purples and pretty pastels to neon yellows and unexpected reds, and also offers food markets, outdoor concerts, movie showings, and fireworks. The event runs through May and is free of charge.
2. International Istanbul Tulip Festival, Istanbul, Turkey
Since tulips originated in Turkey during the Ottoman Empire, it makes sense that this bright bloomer is the country’s national flower. This festival turned the entire city of Istanbul into a botanical garden filled with millions of tulips, but Ermigan Park – one of the largest public parks in the city – is a main hub.
Since it overlooks Bosphorus Strait, the views are undeniably stunning. Expect pop-up musical performances amid a patchwork of over 120 different varieties of tulips. Open through April and free of charge.
3. The Keukenhof Gardens, Lisse, the Netherlands
The enormous Dutch garden Keukenhof offers a staggering display of tulip beds filled in spring with brilliant flowers. The seven million blooms of tulips featured are predominantly presented in dazzling unique hues of yellow, purple and pink.
They appear in beds that are so massive, you can see them as your plane is landing at the airport. Is this the best tulip festival in the world? Well, it’s certainly in the running. This event is open from March to May and is also free of charge.
4. Tesselaar Tulip Festival, Silvan, Australia
You think of tulips as spring flowers, but guess what? In the Southern hemisphere, spring comes in September. That makes Tesselaar a unique tulip festival. It features 40 nurseries and plant growers, offering a stunning blend of small and large flowers.
You’ll also find live music, a multicultural food exhibition and a sculpture display. There are bulbs available for purchase, so come the fall visitors can plant their favorite bulb species at home for tulip blooms next year. This event carries on from September to early October with paid entry.
5. Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan, USA
Not everyone has globe-trotting plans for 2025. If this is you, you may be more interested in “a tulip festival near me” than the best the world has to offer. So why not visit the best tulip festival in the USA, the Tulip Time Festival? It’s also the largest tulip festival in the country, with six million tulips planted around the city.
Dutch history (Dutch Calvinist separatists settled here in 1847) is at the heart of this fantastic festival that has been happening for almost a century. Over four million tulips bloom during spring, attracting almost a million visitors a year. Open through May with paid admission.
6. Pashley Manor Gardens in East Sussex, England
Fans of English country gardens will love the Pashley Manor Gardens, with its 11 acres of beds and vistas, located on the border of Sussex and Kent. The Manor is still privately owned and maintained, leading to impressive attention to detail. The graceful garden is famed for its fantastic displays of tulips at its annual festival.
The garden of this Tudor manor home dates back to the 16th century. The romantic landscapes are filled with arches cloaked in fast growing vines and innovative planting schemes, including more than 48,000 tulips of 105 varieties (all clearly labeled) planted in color-themed gardens. Visit in April and May with paid admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What states have a tulip festival?
Both Michigan and Washington have well-known tulip festivals. You can also see extensive tulip displays in California, Oregon and Texas. Most tulip festivals are held in March and April, but there are events taking place in May, depending on where you happen to be.
How long are the tulips in bloom in Holland, Michigan?
Tulips are gorgeous, early bloomers. But their blossoms don’t last very long. The average tulip blooms for a few weeks. However, gardeners can extend your tulip garden bloom by planting bulbs that flower during different periods, e.g. early, medium or late bloomers.
More Dazzling Floral Inspiration
- Inspired by these spring medleys and looking to get the jump on the summer bulb season? Make sure you plant some of these summer blooming bulbs to enrich your beds and borders with more color as the seasons change!
- If you’re keen to get the most dynamic displays with the least effort, make sure you choose some well placed annuals. These easy annual flowers that bloom all summer will bring carefree color to beds, borders, hanging baskets and containers.
- Make sure your future tulip displays are tip-top by avoiding the main pitfalls that growers encounter. We list the top planting mistakes that tulip experts cite as being the most frequent, so you can prevent calamity and guarantee magical medleys.
- Keep some space free for perennials to service your garden with razzle-dazzle from spring to fall. Grow some of the longest flowering perennials and you’ll keep the wow factor buzzing until first frost!
This article features products available from third party vendors on the Gardening Know How Shop. Keep in mind that our plant inventory is limited - so if you’re thinking of purchasing, don’t wait!
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