Albany Tulip Festival
The Albany Tulip Festival is a beautiful annual event in Albany New York every spring!
What is the Albany Tulip Festival?
This is the 78th annual event–a celebration of Albany’s rich Dutch heritage with a collection of over 140,000 tulips in bloom throughout Washington Park.
What to expect at the Albany Tulip Festival
The Albany Tulip Festival is celebrated over Mother’s Day Weekend with a variety of events during the week leading up to it for Tulip Week.
Tens of thousands of eager visitors head to the capital city to take in the colorful blooms. During the actual festival, enjoy a traditional Street Scrubbing ceremony–a traditional Dutch custom to mark the beginning of a celebration–as well a Tulip Queen Coronation Ceremony.
Events at the Albany Tulip Festival
From Wednesday, April 30 – Wednesday May 7, you can enjoy tours led by City Gardener Jena DiTonno to learn about the wide variety of tulips. Tours are offered April 30, May 1, May 2, May 3, May 6 and May 7.
Then on Saturday, May 9 at noon, the festival kicks off with the ceremonial Street Scrubbing ceremony. Immediately following, enjoy the Tulip Festival Luncheon.
On Saturday, May 10, enjoy a special performance by the Mendelssohn Club–the Capital Region’s longest continuously performing arts group–and then the yearly Tulip Queen Procession followed by the coronation of the 2025 Tulip Queen.
At 6:30 that night, attend the Royal Tulip Ball to dine and dance the night away to honor the new Tulip Queen and her Court.
Sunday brings with it a whole host of events including yoga, kid-friendly activities, pilates, Zumba and more!
Tulip Bulb and Dig
After the festival, take a piece of it home with you via the Tulip Bulb & Dig Sale.
Beginning at 9:00 am on May 16, this community-tradition brings everyone together to dig up bulbs to bring them home. Then on May 17, all remaining tulip bulbs will be available for purchase until supplies last.
When is The Albany Tulip Festival?
The Albany Tulip Festival will take place from Saturday, May 9 – Sunday, May 10, 2026. Hours vary depending on the day.
Saturday, May 9: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday, May 10: 10 am – 5 pm
Tickets for the Albany Tulip Festival
Many parts of the festival are free to attend. Advance tickets are required for the Tulip Luncheon and the Tulip Ball.
For tickets for the luncheon, email tulipluncheon@gmail.com.
Purchase tickets for the Royal Tulip Ball here.
Take Amtrak to the Albany Tulip Festival
For Directions to Albany Station, click below.
Experience the festival via Amtrak to Albany-Rensselaer Station in the Capital-Saratoga region. Don’t forget to use the Amtrak See New York and Save 15% discount!
Rent a car from Enterprise at Albany-Rensselaer Station. Click here to reserve your car or call the Albany-Rensselaer office today at: 518-427-3893.
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