The annual Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point officially kicked off this week, welcoming visitors to a colorful springtime spectacle filled with more flowers than ever before.
Held at Ashton Gardens, the festival runs through May 17 and showcases over 900,000 blooms, including iconic Dutch tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, poppies, and more. Organizers say this year’s event is their largest since Thanksgiving Point opened in 2004, with an additional 100,000 flowers added to the display.
Planning for the stunning show begins months in advance. More than 400,000 tulip bulbs were imported from Holland, and the redesign and planting process started as early as October. This year’s festival also includes seven massive topiary sculptures, shaped like butterflies, mushrooms, gnomes, and fairies—some reaching up to nine feet tall.
Local news outlet ABC4 caught up with visitors on opening day who were thrilled to see the gardens in full bloom.
“It is so nicely put together,” said Emily, a festival-goer. “The architecture of this place is just gorgeous. The color arrangements of the flowers are spot on. It’s really fun to walk around and maybe take pictures.”
Another attendee, Nancy, visited for the first time and was just as impressed. “I’ve never seen it before, and I love tulips. My kids have been here, and when they said, ‘Mom, come with us,’ I said, ‘Yes! I’ll be there,’” she shared.
The festival is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering guests the chance to stroll through the expansive gardens during the day or into the evening. Tickets can be purchased online, with weekday admission at $24 for adults and $19 for kids, and weekend tickets at $29 for adults and $24 for kids.
Beyond flower gazing, the event also features a variety of activities and extras:
- Yoga and art classes
- Floral design workshops
- Guided tours
- A 5K race on April 26
- A newly introduced buffet brunch
Whether you’re snapping photos, enjoying a peaceful walk, or attending one of the creative classes, the 2025 Tulip Festival promises an unforgettable spring experience.
With spring in full swing, Thanksgiving Point invites visitors to celebrate the season among a sea of blossoms, vivid colors, and enchanting garden art.
