Experience the Albany Tulip Festival 2025

Tulip Festival Weekend: Saturday, May 10 - Sunday, May 11

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 Albany Tulip Festival 2025 will take place over Mother's Day weekend on May 10-11 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.

Here are some of the highlights of Albany 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!

📅 2025 Albany Tulip Festival 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.

Tulip Week Events

Tulip Tours at the Washington Park Tulip Beds

Join City Gardener Jena DiTonno for a guided tour of the beautiful tulip beds in Washington Park. Learn about the wide variety of flowers planted for Tulip Fest and get an insider’s look at this blooming tradition.

Tour Schedule (Weather Permitting):

• Wednesday, April 30: 10:00am / 1:00pm / 6:00pm
• Thursday, May 1: 1:00pm / 3:00pm / 6:00pm
• Friday, May 2: 10:00am / 1:00pm / 6:00pm
• Saturday, May 3: 5:00pm / 7:00pm
• Tuesday, May 6: 10:00am / 1:00pm / 3:00pm / 6:00pm
• Wednesday, May 7: 10:00am / 1:00pm / 3:00pm / 6:00pm

Free, but reservations are required. Call 518.434.2032 to reserve your spot. Space is limited.

Friday, May 9, 2025

Street Scrubbing

• When: 12:00pm
• Where: State & Lodge Streets, Albany, NY

The traditional Dutch custom of scrubbing the streets before a celebration has marked the official kickoff to Albany's Tulip Festival weekend for nearly 80 years. This beloved event features Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s Tulip Festival opening proclamation, followed by a festive procession from City Hall.

Participants include Albany High School students in Dutch costumes, members of the Dutch Settlers Society, City Hall staff children, bagpiper Brennan Cain of the Capital District Youth Pipe Band, the 2024 Tulip Queen and Court, and the 2025 Tulip Queen finalists.

Tulip Festival Luncheon

• When: 12:30pm
• Where: The Woman’s Club of Albany, 725 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12208

Immediately following the Street Scrubbing, the Tulip Festival Luncheon offers a heartfelt farewell and thank you to 2024 Albany Tulip Queen Naishaly Velez Galan and her Court. Proceeds from the event support the Tulip Court’s educational initiatives through the Capital City Fund, a component fund of United Way of the Greater Capital Region.

Tickets are required—email tulipluncheon@gmail.com to purchase.

Saturday, May 10, 2025

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

The 2024 Tulip Queen Naishaly Velez Galan, Mayor Kathy Sheehan and the Dutch Settlers Society lead the 2025 Tulip Queen finalists to the Lakehouse Stage.

Tulip Queen Coronation Ceremony

• When: 12:00pm
• Where: Washington Park Lakehouse Stage, Albany, NY

Mayor Sheehan and MC Chad O'Hara of B95.5 crown the 77th Albany Tulip Queen in this traditional highlight of Tulip Fest weekend.

Royal Tulip Ball

• When: 6:30pm
• Where: Duo at the Dunes, 257 Washington Ave Ext, Albany, NY 12205

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, visit http://tulipball25.cbo.io/ or email tulipball@albanyny.gov

Plus live music and entertainment »

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Yoga Fest with The Hot Yoga Spot

• When: 9:00am-1:00am
  
• Where: Washington Park Parade Grounds, Albany, NY

Wake up with some free yoga at the Washington Park Parade Grounds! Reservations: https://www.thehotyogaspot.com/blog/yoga-fest-2025

26th Annual Capital Region's Best Mom

• When: 11:00am-2:00pm
• 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. Nominations are open until April 4.

Plus live music and entertainment »

🎈 KidZone Presented by Price Chopper / Market 32

Saturday & Sunday Activities

Enjoy pony rides, a rock-climbing wall, bounce houses, live entertainment, games, and more family fun all weekend long!

Price Chopper / Market 32 KidZone Stage

There will be continuous free entertainment for all ages, both Saturday and Sunday.

• 1:00pm, 4:00pm – Andy “The Music Man”: A beloved children’s musician known for sing-alongs, dancing, play-acting, and storytelling that delights audiences of all ages.

• 2:00pm – Park Playhouse: Talented performers and students present songs from their upcoming summer shows (Oklahoma in Albany’s Washington Park, The Little Mermaid and Moana at Cohoes Music Hall), plus classic Broadway and Disney tunes.

• 2:45pm, 4:45pm – Melvin the Magnificent: A high-energy, interactive magic show by professional magician Joe Goode—sure to get big laughs from the whole crowd.

• 3:30pm, 5:30pm – Ruth Pelham: Capital Region musical icon Ruth Pelham of the Music Mobile shares original songs promoting peace, community, and joy for all ages.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Wellness Stage

Free wellness classes and workshops for all ages, all weekend long! Join in on yoga, dance, and fitness sessions designed to energize, inspire, and connect the community.

The daily schedule includes:

• 11:00am – The Hot Yoga Spot: Kid’s Yoga
• 12:00pm – Tsehaya & Co.: “A Community Dance Showcase”
• 1:00pm – Capital Sweat: Pilates
• 2:00pm – Simply Ballroom: Salsa (Saturday) / Bachata (Sunday)
• 3:00pm – YMCA: Kickboxing
• 4:00pm – YMCA: Zumba
• 5:00pm – YMCA: Zumba (Saturday)
• 5:00pm – Simply Ballroom: Latin Dance Party (Sunday)

👩‍🌾 Post-Tulip Festival Events

Tulip Bulb & Dig Sale

May 17 – Tulip Dig

Begins at 9:00am at the Moses Fountain Join the City of Albany for this hands-on community tradition. Tools will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring a garden fork (not a shovel) if possible.

Bulbs are $10 per bag of 30, while supplies last. The dig is limited to designated flower beds under the direction of park staff and volunteers. Event ends promptly at 12:00pm.

May 18 – Tulip Sale

Begins at 9:00am at the Lakehouse. Remaining tulip bulbs will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. Each bag of 30 bulbs is $10. The sale will remain open while supplies last.

🚗 Parking & Shuttle Info

A free CDTA shuttle runs continuously throughout the festival, providing easy transportation to and from Washington Park.

Pick-up locations include:

• Eagle Street Garage (Eagle Street & Madison Avenue)
• Elk Street Parking Lot (Elk Street & Hawk Street)

Designated handicap parking is available at the Albany Medical Center lot (Robin Street & Morris Street). A free, accessible CDTA shuttle will run between this lot and the Madison Avenue & New Scotland Avenue entrance to Washington Park.

For more parking options, visit ParkAlbany. For additional bus routes and schedules, check CDTA's website.

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 10 and Sunday, May 11.

See the Albany Mother's Day Guide for inspiration >>

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About the Author: Joe Legault Joe is a dedicated editor from Lake Luzerne, NY, with a passion for hiking the Adirondack high peaks, running half marathons and 5Ks, and visiting local craft breweries like Common Roots and Dancing Grain. He enjoys writing about the region's can't-miss attractions and activities.