Experience the 2024 Albany Tulip Festival
Saturday, May 11 - Sunday, May 12
Albany Tulip Festival is one of the most popular annual events in Albany, NY that typically draws tens of thousands of people to Washington Park each year. The 2024 Albany Tulip Festival will take place over Mother's Day weekend on May 11 & 12 and feature all your favorite traditions, events, and activities.
What to Expect at Albany Tulip Festival
This signature spring event is free to attend and a wonderful way to celebrate the City's rich Dutch heritage and the vibrant colors of the season.
The 2024 Albany Tulip Festival will be held during the following dates and times:
- Saturday, May 11: 11am - 6pm
- Sunday, May 12: 11am - 6pm
In addition, here are some of the highlights of Tulip Festival:
- Over 140,000 Tulips in Bloom
- Musical Performances
- Street Scrubbing on State Street
- Tulip Queen Coronation
- Vendors
- Children's Activities
- (After the Festival) Tulip Bulb & Dig Sale
- ...and more!
2024 Schedule of Events
Albany Tulip Festival will take place over Mother's Day weekend. Some special events will be held both before and after the fun-filled event. Get details about the schedule below and plan ahead!
Tulip Week Events
Tulip Tours
- When: May 1 at 10:00am and 5:00pm; May 2 at 11:00am and 5:00pm; May 3 at 1:00pm and 6:00pm; May 8 at 11:00am and 6:00pm, May 9 at 10:00am and 3:00pm
- Where: Washington Park Tulip Beds, Albany, NY
Learn more about the vast variety of flowers planted for Tulip Fest with City Gardener Jena DiTinno. Tours are free to attend. Spaces are limited and reservations are required; call 518-434-2032 to reserve your place (weather permitting).
Friday, May 10, 2024
Carillon Concert
- When: 11:30am - 12pm
- Where: Outside Albany City Hall, Albany, NY
Amy Heebner performs a special Tulip Festival musical program on Albany City Hall's historic 1927 carillon, a unique instrument consisting of 49 bells that range in size from 27 to 11,200 pounds.
Street Scrubbing
- When: 12pm
- Where: State & Lodge Streets, Albany, NY
The traditional Dutch ceremony of scrubbing the streets clean before a big celebration has served as the official kickoff to Tulip Festival weekend for 76 years. This unique Albany event will include Mayor Kathy Sheehan's Tulip Festival opening proclamation and a procession from City Hall.
- When: 12:30pm
- Where: The Blake Annex, 1 Steuben Street, Albany, NY
Immediately following the street scrubbing, the Tulip Festival Luncheon is a farewell and thank you to the 2023 Albany Tulip Queen and their Court. Proceeds from the Tulip Festival Luncheon will benefit the Tulip Court’s educational programs via the Capital City Fund, a component fund of United Way of the Greater Capital Region.
Tickets are required; please email tulipluncheon@gmail.com to purchase.
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Yoga Fest with The Hot Yoga Spot
- When: 9am - 10am
- Where: Washington Park Parade Grounds, Albany, NY
The Hot Yoga Spot will host free outdoor yoga on the Parade Grounds on May 11. Reserve your spot: https://www.thehotyogaspot.com/blog/yoga-fest-2024.
The Mendelssohn Club
- When: 11:30am
- Where: Washington Park Lakehouse Stage, Albany, NY
A local institution for over a century, this acclaimed male chorus is the longest continuously performing arts group in the Capital Region.
Tulip Queen Procession
- When: 11:45am
- Where: Begins at formal Tulip Beds by Moses Statue in Washington Park
2023 Tulip Queen Olivia Owens, Mayor Kathy Sheehan, and the Dutch Settlers Society lead the 2024 Tulip Queen finalists to the Lakehouse Stage.
Tulip Queen Coronation
- When: 12:00pm
- Where: Washington Park Lakehouse Stage, Albany, NY
Mayor Sheehan and MC Chad O'Hara of B95.5 crown the 76th Albany Tulip Queen in this traditional highlight of Tulip Fest weekend.
- When: 6:30pm
- Where: Albany Capital Center, 55 Eagle Street, Albany, NY
An elegant evening of dining and dancing to honor the new Tulip Queen & Court. Proceeds benefit the Capital City Fund. Tickets are required; to purchase, contact tulipball@albanyny.gov.
Plus live music and entertainment »
Sunday, May 12, 2024
25th Annual Capital Region Best Mom
- When: 11am-12pm
- Where: Washington Park Lakehouse Stage, Albany, NY
B95.5's Chad O'Hara and local officials recognize the Capital Region's most outstanding moms. Presented by St. Peter's Health Partners, Times Union, and B95.5.
Plus live music and entertainment »
Find Even More Tulip Festival Fun For Kids
The Kidzone
Presented by Price Chopper & Market 32
- Enjoy pony rides, a rock climbing wall, a bounce house, live music, games, and more fun for the family on Saturday and Sunday.
The Price Chopper Kidzone Stage will also feature continuous entertainment throughout the weekend!
KISS 102.3's Wellness Stage
Stop by the brand new Wellness Stage at Albany Tulip Festival on Saturday and Sunday. There will be (6) FREE classes each day. No registration needed.
- 12pm: Sisters of the Rising Moon - Belly Dancing Class
- 1:00pm: Hot Yoga Spot - Kid's Yoga Class
- 2:00pm: Simply Ballroom - Salsa and Bachata Dance Class
- 3:00pm: ArtPartners - Hip-Hop Dance Class
- 4:00pm: Marcus Rodgers Dance Company MRDC - Cardio Dance Class
- 5:00pm: Movefitnessbylenny - Zumba Dance Class
Post-Festival Events
On Saturday, May 18, the Tulip Dig will begin at 9:00am at the Moses Fountain. The dig is limited strictly to designated beds, under the direction of park staff and volunteers, and it will end at 12:00pm. The cost is $10 for a bag of 30 bulbs.
On Sunday, May 19, the Tulip Sale will begin at 9:00am at the Lakehouse. Bulbs will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis for $10 for a bag of 30. The sale is open while supplies last.
Parking & Shuttle Info
Free CDTA shuttles will take people to Washington Park from three designated locations:
- Elk Street Parking Lot: Located behind the State Education Building - the pick-up location will be Elk and Hawk at the stop sign.
- Eagle Street Parking Garage: Located at the corner of Eagle Street and Madison Avenue.
- Albany Medical Center Parking Lot (free handicap lot): Located off Robin Street, for customers needing extra assistance or in a wheelchair. This particular shuttle will drop passengers off at the Madison Avenue/New Scotland entrance to the park.
Shuttles will run every 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic. All parking lots are free to use the weekend of Tulip Festival.
See more parking options: https://www.parkalbany.com/
Ground Rules Are in Effect
- No alcohol outside of designated beer garden area
- No glass containers
- No animals or pets (excluding ADA-defined service animals)
- No recording of performances
- All City of Albany parks are now tobacco-free
Albany Tulip Festival is conveniently scheduled on Mother's Day weekend, so take Mom out to Washington Park in Albany for great music, vendors, tulips, and fun! The festival will run from 11am-6pm on both Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12.
Check out the latest Tulip Fest info from the City of Albany >>