A Celebration Of Spring: Iconic Flower Festivals To See Around The World

Spring flower festivals are annual seasonal celebrations held around the world to welcome spring by showcasing blooming flowers such as tulips, cherry blossoms and roses. These events feature garden tours, parades, floral displays and a variety of activities that celebrate the beauty and renewal of the season.

Keukenhof Flower Garden (Netherlands)

Dates: March 19 – May 10, 2026

Keukenhof is one of the world’s most famous spring flower gardens, located in Lisse in the Netherlands. The site originally served as a 15th-century kitchen garden for Teylingen Castle, and its name literally means “kitchen garden”. It was officially established as a flower exhibition garden in 1949 by Dutch bulb growers and opened to the public in 1950. Today, it operates for only around eight weeks each spring (mid-March to mid-May), showcasing over seven million flowering bulbs across 80 acres.

What To See

• Keukenhof features over seven million flower bulbs with more than 800 varieties of tulips, along with hyacinths, daffodils and crocuses displayed in beautifully designed landscapes.

• Visitors can explore themed gardens such as the Japanese garden, English-style garden and annually changing inspiration gardens.

• The park includes indoor pavilions with flower shows and exhibitions that highlight different blooms throughout the season.

• A windmill, sculpture displays and canal areas offer scenic viewpoints, including optional whisper boat tours through surrounding fields.

• Family-friendly attractions such as a maze, playground and petting zoo make it enjoyable for all ages.

Tips For Travellers

• It is best to visit in mid-April when the tulips are usually at their peak bloom.

• Tickets should be booked online in advance with a timed entry slot as they often sell out quickly, especially at weekends.

• Plan around 3–5 hours for a standard visit, or a full day if you want a more relaxed experience.

• The park is easily accessible via the Keukenhof Express bus from Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport or Leiden.

• Visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers due to unpredictable spring weather.

• The park is cashless, so card payments are required for all purchases.

• Bike rentals are available just outside the park for those who wish to explore the surrounding tulip fields.

Cherry Blossom Festivals (Japan)

Dates: March to early May, depending on location

Japan’s cherry blossom season is one of the country’s most celebrated cultural events. It marks the arrival of spring. The season unfolds between March and May, moving gradually from the south of Japan to the north. The cherry blossom festivals are a centuries-old tradition. It celebrates spring with people gathering under blooming sakura (cherry trees) for picnics, parties, and, at night, yozakura (illuminated viewing). Check here for a guide to the 2026 season.

What To See

• Hanami (Flower Viewing) is when families and friends gather for picnics, parties, and sake under the trees.

• Yozakura (Night Viewing) sees many parks hang paper lanterns to illuminate the flowers for a magical evening experience.

• Indulge in Sakura Foods, special treats include sakura mochi (rice cake with cherry leaf) and pink-themed snacks.

• In Tokyo, popular spots are Shinjuku Gyoen, Ueno Park, and Chidorigafuchi.

• In Kyoto, Maruyama Park and the Philosopher's Path offer stunning scenery.

• In the Tohoku Region, Kitakami Tenshochi Park features over 10,000 trees.

• The Fuji Five Lakes area offers iconic views of snow-capped peaks with pink blossoms.

Tips For Travellers

• The season lasts from early February (Okinawa) to early May (Hokkaido), with main Honshu areas blooming late March to early April.

• Book early. Sakura season is the most competitive time for accommodation. Book free cancellation rooms if plans are flexible.

• Official "sakura forecasts" are closely watched, as weather influences blooming times. Use the official Japan Meteorological Corporation forecast to track "mankai" (peak bloom).

Infiorata Di Noto (Italy)

Dates: May 15 to 19, 2026

The Infiorata di Noto is a well-known annual flower petal festival held in the Baroque town of Noto in Sicily, Italy. It takes place along Via Corrado Nicolaci, which is transformed each year into a long outdoor display of floral artwork. Held on the third weekend of May, the festival began in the 1980s and was inspired by floral traditions from Genzano di Roma. Over time, it has grown into a major cultural event that celebrates spring through large-scale, temporary artworks made entirely from flower petals and natural materials.

What To See

• The main highlight is a series of 16–17 large floral mosaics created along Via Nicolaci, each designed around a different annual theme and crafted using thousands of flower petals and natural materials like herbs, coffee and bran.

• Visitors can admire the Baroque architecture of Noto as it forms a dramatic backdrop to the colourful floral artwork.

• A traditional Baroque parade with costumes, music and performances brings extra atmosphere to the festival weekend.

• Street food stalls and local vendors add to the lively celebratory feel throughout the town.

• The floral artworks are intentionally temporary and are often playfully dismantled by children on the final day, adding to the festival’s unique charm.

Tips For Travellers

• Visit during the main weekend, especially Sunday, when the mosaics are fully completed and the atmosphere is at its peak.

• Arrive early in the day to avoid crowds and to see the artworks in good lighting for photography.

• Wear comfortable footwear as you will be walking along stone streets for extended periods.

• Stay overnight in or near Noto if possible, as the town becomes busy during the festival period.

• Expect large crowds and plan ahead for accommodation, as it is one of Sicily’s most popular spring events.

Chelsea Flower Show (London, UK)

Dates: May 19 to 23, 2026

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the world’s most prestigious horticultural event, held every May at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society since 1913, it is a showcase of world-leading garden design, innovative planting and cutting-edge horticultural trends. Designers, nurseries and floral experts from across the globe come together to present carefully curated displays that set the standard for modern gardening. With its long history and global reputation, the show is widely regarded as the pinnacle of floral and landscape creativity.

What To See

• The show gardens feature large, high-budget designs that showcase innovative themes, materials and sustainable gardening ideas.

• The Great Pavilion is the heart of the show, where leading nurseries from around the world present rare plants, new varieties and floral displays.

• Balcony and container gardens offer smaller-scale inspiration for urban and home gardening.

• Special features like Houseplant Studios highlight modern indoor gardening trends and creative plant styling.

Tips For Travellers

• Book tickets well in advance, as entry is strictly limited and sells out quickly each year.

• Visit earlier in the week for fresher displays and a slightly less crowded experience.

• Plan your route in advance as the grounds are large and packed with exhibits.

• Wear comfortable shoes and smart-casual clothing, as there is no formal dress code but plenty of walking involved.

• Don’t miss the final-day plant “sell-off” on Saturday, when exhibitors sell their remaining plants at around 4 pm.

Canadian Tulip Festival (Ottawa)

Dates: May 8 to 18, 2026

The Canadian Tulip Festival is a major spring event held each May in Ottawa, Canada, with its main displays at Commissioners Park beside Dow’s Lake. It began after World War II, when the Dutch royal family gifted 100,000 tulip bulbs to Canada as a thank-you for sheltering Princess Juliana and for Canada’s role in liberating the Netherlands. What started as a gesture of gratitude has grown into one of the world’s biggest tulip festivals, with over a million blooms planted across the city each spring, combining colourful displays with history, culture and community events.

What To See

• Commissioners Park is the main highlight, showcasing over a million tulips and more than 100 varieties, including the historic Queen Juliana Gift Bed.

• Across Ottawa, tulip displays can also be found at sites such as Parliament Hill, Major’s Hill Park, Rideau Falls Park and the ByWard Market.

• Evening programming includes light shows, outdoor movies and black-light garden tours that create a unique nighttime experience.

• Special exhibitions and events highlight wartime history, cultural exchange and Canada’s role in WWII.

• Fireworks and themed celebrations, including the Vintage Victory Party, add to the festival atmosphere.

Tips For Travellers

• Visit on weekdays if possible, as weekends tend to be very crowded at Commissioners Park.

• Admission to the main festival grounds is free, though some special events may require tickets or have additional costs.

• Use public transport or walk where possible, as parking is limited during the festival period.

• Plan your visit for mid-May when the tulips are usually at their peak bloom.

• Explore multiple sites across the city rather than focusing only on Commissioners Park for a fuller experience.

Srinagar Tulip Festival (India)

Dates: Mid-March to late April

The Srinagar Tulip Festival is a spectacular spring celebration held at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar, Kashmir. Set on the foothills of the Zabarwan Range with sweeping views of Dal Lake, it is regarded as Asia’s largest tulip garden. The festival usually begins in late March and lasts around two to three weeks, during which the garden bursts into colour with over 1.8 million tulips and dozens of other spring flowers. Alongside the blooms, the event also showcases Kashmiri culture through music, food and handicrafts, making it both a floral and cultural experience.

What To See

• The main attraction is the vast tulip garden spread across terraced slopes, featuring over 1.8 million tulips and 70+ varieties alongside hyacinths, daffodils and ranunculus.

• Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Dal Lake and the surrounding snow-capped mountains, which create a striking contrast with the colourful flower beds.

• Cultural programmes, live music performances and evening events add a local cultural touch to the festival atmosphere.

Tips For Travellers

• Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewer crowds.

• Plan your trip between late March and mid-April, when the blooms are usually at their peak.

• Entry tickets are available online through official Jammu & Kashmir tourism channels and may sell out during peak days.

• Follow garden rules carefully and avoid stepping into flower beds or picking flowers.

• Wear comfortable footwear, as the garden is spread across terraced slopes.

• The garden is easily accessible by road from central Srinagar, making it a convenient day visit.

FAQs

What are spring flower festivals?
Spring flower festivals are seasonal events held around the world to celebrate the arrival of spring, usually showcasing blooms like tulips, cherry blossoms, roses and other seasonal flowers through gardens, displays and cultural activities.

When is the best time to visit flower festivals?
Most spring flower festivals take place between March and May, with peak bloom periods varying by location. Mid to late April is often ideal for many tulip-based festivals.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Yes, for major festivals such as Keukenhof and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, advance booking is usually required and tickets often sell out early, especially for weekends and peak dates.

Are flower festivals only about flowers?
No, many festivals also include cultural performances, food stalls, art installations, music events and historical exhibitions, making them broader cultural experiences.

Can I take photographs at flower festivals?
Yes, photography is generally allowed and encouraged, but visitors are usually asked to stay on paths and avoid damaging flower beds.