Tulip festival


Tulip festivals are held in several cities around the world, mostly in North America, usually in cities with a Dutch heritage such as Albany, New York; Ottawa, Ontario; Gatineau, Quebec; Montreal, Quebec; Holland, Michigan; Lehi, Utah; Orange City, Iowa; Pella, Iowa; Mount Vernon, Washington; and Woodburn, Oregon, and in other countries such as New Zealand, Australia, India, and England. The tulips are considered a welcome harbinger of spring, and a tulip festival permits residents to see them at their best advantage. The festivals are also popular tourist attractions. The tulips are displayed throughout the cities. In certain years the peak of tulips does not coincide with the actual festival due to climatic conditions.
The world's largest tulip festival is held in Ottawa, Canada, with tulips sent by the Netherlands to commemorate the special relationship resulting from Canadian actions during World War II when Canadian forces led the liberation of the Netherlands and hosted the Dutch royal family in exile.

Asia

  • Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, celebrates Tulip Festival in the month of April in the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, situated over an area of 30 ha on the banks of world famous Dal Lake, considered to be the largest Tulip garden in Asia.
  • Tonami, Toyama, Japan holds a tulip festival with over 2.5 million tulips in over 600 varieties. It takes place from late April to early May and is known as the "Tonami Tulip Fair" in Tonami Tulip Park.

Europe

  • Spalding, Lincolnshire, UK, had an annual Tulip Parade that took place on the first Saturday in May until 2013. In its heyday it was a major tourist attraction, comprising a procession of floats on various themes, each decorated with tulip petals, a by-product of the bulb industry. Tulips are no longer grown commercially in this part of Lincolnshire.
  • National Tulip Day, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Tulip festival in Amsterdam. Every year in January.
  • Istanbul Tulip Festival, Istanbul, Turkey. International tulip festival in Istanbul. Every year in April.

Americas

Canada

United States

The tulip-festivals are being held in honour of the Dutch-American immigrants who brought the tulips to the Americas.

Eastern US

  • U-Pick Tulips in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. The most tulips available to pick, anywhere in the world.
  • The [Tulip Festival (Albany, New York)|Tulip Festival of Albany, New York|Albany, New York] is set in Albany's historic Washington Park. Each year, this traditional Albany event greets spring with thousands of tulips blooming in a myriad of colors and varieties. Thousands from across the Capital District and beyond come to Tulip Fest each May to celebrate Albany's rich Dutch heritage.
  • The Festival of Spring at Burnside Farms in Nokesville, Virginia, includes over 200 types of tulips.

Central US

Western US

  • Lehi, Utah's Thanksgiving Point hosts a tulip festival during April and May. The three weekend festival includes daffodils and tulips, garden tours, performances, and activities. One Friday and Saturday weekend includes Dutch Days with Dutch music, dance, and food.
  • Lynden, Washington's Holland Days festival is held the first weekend of every traditional song and dance, and Dutch markets.
  • The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington has been held every April since 1984. Featuring dozens of tulip and daffodil fields as well as display gardens, gift shops, and tour activities, this festival attracts visitors of all ages.
  • Woodburn, Oregon has held the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival every year starting in March 1986.

Brazil

  • The city of Holambra, São Paulo, is the largest producer of flowers and ornamental plants in Latin America and host the largest spring event in the continent, the . The event starts late August and finishes on early September and it occurs every year since 1981. The event also have traditional Dutch music, dance and food.

Oceania

New Zealand

  • Wellington Tulip Sunday Festival, held each spring since 1944

Australia