The annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival delivers 350 acres of multicolor tulips every spring!
This festival is a favorite spring activity for Seattleites, since the tulip fields are just 60 minutes from downtown Seattle. Officially inaugurated in 1984, the festival has grown to be one of the most popular events of the year. Each year it welcomes visitors from over 50 states and more than 85 foreign countries. Don’t miss it!
Read on for all the details you need to know to attend the 2024 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival!
To help prepare you for your visit to the festival, we put together answers to the most common questions below:
When do the tulips bloom?
It can be hard to predict when the tulips will bloom, since it is up to Mother Nature. The festival runs from April 1 to April 30, but sometimes the tulips start to bloom in the last week of March. Other times they won’t start blooming until mid-April.
To plan your optimal visit, you can check this live tulip field map; once the tulip icons are in color, the flowers are blooming. As of the last week of March, so far only the daffodils are in bloom.
You can also follow the festival’s Instagram page for updates.
When is the best time to see the tulips?
Once you’ve confirmed that the tulips are blooming via the festival’s Instagram page or the aforementioned map, you may want to plan your visit for a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds. Early mornings and late afternoons are also less crowded.
Do you have to buy a ticket to see the tulips?
Yes and no. It is free to simply drive by the farms at any time and view the tulips from your car (or even your bike!). Take care not to park on the shoulder, or else you may get a ticket.
If you want to view the tulips close-up and tour the fields, you must buy a ticket. There are four different tulip farms that are currently selling tickets as part of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival:
Admission prices for each farm vary but they’re generally around $15.
Can kids attend the festival for free? Is it kid-friendly?
The festival is very kid-friendly, with lots of events and activities planned for the little ones.
Kids’ ticket costs vary by farm: kids five and under are admitted for free at Tulip Town, Tulip Valley, and Garden Rosalyn while RoozenGaarde admits children ages two and under for free.
What are the festival’s hours?
Each tulip farm has its own hours for visiting their display gardens:
- RoozenGaarde is open from 9:00 to 6:00 daily.
- Tulip Town will announce their hours once they re-open for the season.
- Tulip Valley Farms is open 9:00 to 5:00 daily. Night Bloom is 5:00-7:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Garden Rosalyn is open from 7:00 to 8:00 Monday through Sunday.
Is there parking?
Yes, there is free parking included in the general admission price at each farm.
What is there to do at the tulip festival?
Although the tulips will bloom on their own time, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has events scheduled from April 1 to April 30. There will be art shows, yoga, painting classes, gift shops, evening light shows, and more. Get more details from the Skagit Valley Tulip festival website.
Of course, you can also simply tour the fields and take photos of the gorgeous tulips. Be careful to follow instructions and do not trample the flowers.
Can you purchase food and drinks at the festival?
Yes, although options vary depending on which tulip farm you visit:
- Garden Rosalyn – To be announced closer to time.
- Tulip Valley Farms – To be announced closer to time.
- RoozenGaarde – To be announced closer to time.
- Tulip Town – To be announced closer to time.
Can you purchase fresh-cut tulips at the festival?
Yes, of course! You’ll be able to leave the festival with some fresh, colorful tulips for your home.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are only allowed at Tulip Town and Garden Rosalyn. They must be leashed and well-behaved.
Are drones allowed?
No, drones are not allowed at any of the gardens or fields.
What should I wear?
Dress comfortably for the weather. Most importantly, wear boots since the fields can be wet and muddy in the spring.
For more information and tickets, visit the festival page on the Skagit Valley website!
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival 2024
When: April 1 to April 30, 2024
Where: 311 W Kincaid St., Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Cost: $12 and up (prices vary by farm)