Whether you’re an experienced gardener or someone who simply enjoys the beauty of flowers, attending a flower festival is a wonderful way to connect with nature. Even if you don’t grow your own plants, flower festivals offer a joyful escape filled with color, creativity, and inspiration. These events often focus on one type of bloom, such as tulips or lilacs, or showcase a wide variety of floral displays from around the globe.
More than just a walk through beautiful gardens, flower festivals ignite the senses and awaken the imagination. They allow visitors to learn about new plants, discover innovative garden designs, and gather ideas for their own green spaces. After a few years of scaled-back events, most festivals are returning bigger and better than ever.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best flower festivals happening this year:
Singapore Garden Festival
Dates: August 3–11
Location: Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre
The Singapore Garden Festival is quickly gaining international attention. Although it’s a relatively new event, now in its ninth year, it continues to impress. Visitors can expect a showcase of breathtaking landscape gardens and imaginative fantasy garden displays. Designers, hobbyists, and plant lovers from around the world take part, making this a must-see event. Be sure to also explore the nearby Singapore Botanic Gardens for even more floral beauty.
Bloemencorso Bollenstreek (Netherlands)
Dates: April 17–21
Route: From Noordwijk to Haarlem
This spectacular flower parade in the Netherlands features millions of fresh blooms and more than 1,500 volunteers. The parade travels 26 miles with floats, cars, and displays covered entirely in tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Along the route, visitors can enjoy local music, entertainment, and the stunning artistry of floral design.
Virginia’s Historic Garden Week
Dates: April 20–27
Location: Across Virginia, USA
This weeklong event opens the gates to some of Virginia’s most beautiful private gardens, historic homes, and public landscapes. From the mountains of the Shenandoah Valley to the coastlines of the Tidewater region, visitors will see a wide variety of gardens. Proceeds help restore historic public gardens through the Garden Club of Virginia’s programs.
EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival
Dates: February 28–May 27
Location: Walt Disney World, Florida, USA
This family-friendly festival blends Disney magic with nature. Guests can enjoy whimsical topiaries shaped like beloved characters and explore themed gardens like the butterfly house, tropical rainforest, kitchen garden, and more. There are also international gardens representing countries such as Japan, Italy, and Morocco, making it a global floral experience.
Flower Carpet of Brussels
Dates: August 15–18
Location: Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium
Held every two years since 1971, the Flower Carpet event transforms Brussels’ central square into a massive floral masterpiece. More than 750,000 begonias, dahlias, grass, and bark are used to create a giant carpet pattern. Volunteers complete the work in under eight hours. The Gothic Grand-Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides a stunning backdrop.
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Dates: April 1–30
Location: Skagit Valley, Washington, USA
Just 60 miles north of Seattle, this American Tulip Festival is a favorite spring event. Visitors can take scenic drives, go on bike rides, or visit art shows while exploring the blooming fields of tulips and daffodils. Founded in 1984, this month-long celebration brings the feel of a Dutch spring to the Pacific Northwest.
Biltmore Blooms
Dates: March 25–May 23
Location: Asheville, North Carolina, USA
At the historic Biltmore Estate, gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted come to life each spring. Over 100,000 flowers—including daffodils, tulips, azaleas, rhododendrons, and roses—bloom in a colorful sequence. The estate’s conservatory also features over 1,000 orchids. On Friday evenings in May through July, visitors can enjoy the gardens during extended hours with beautiful sunset views.
Infiorata di Noto
Date: May 18
Location: Noto, Sicily, Italy
During the third Sunday in May, the streets of Noto are covered in intricate floral art. About 400,000 flowers are used to create panels along a 700-square-meter stretch. This Italian tradition, which began decades ago, showcases breathtaking flower arrangements that turn the city into a living gallery. A similar version is held in Genzano, where the technique originated.
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival
Dates: June 7–16
Location: Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
Celebrate over 80 varieties of lilacs during this charming festival on Michigan’s famous car-free island. The 10-day event includes carriage tours, lilac lectures, walking tours, and shopping on quaint Main Street. Visitors will appreciate the relaxed atmosphere while surrounded by fragrant blooms.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Dates: May 21–25
Location: London, England
Organized by the Royal Horticultural Society, the Chelsea Flower Show is one of the most prestigious gardening events in the world. Held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea since 1913, the show features cutting-edge garden designs, educational exhibits, and sustainable practices. This year’s theme centers around eco-friendly gardening and design excellence.
Summary
Flower festivals offer more than just a chance to admire blooms—they bring people together, encourage creativity, and connect us with nature. Whether you’re traveling across the world or visiting a nearby city, these events are a feast for the senses and a true celebration of life through flowers. From tulip-lined streets to floating floral carpets, these festivals will leave you inspired and refreshed.
If you’re looking to brighten your year with beauty and inspiration, mark your calendar for one or several of these unforgettable flower festivals.
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