Your Mini Guide to Skagit Valley’s Tulip Explosion This April, AKA the Best Spring Fest in Washington

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Every April, Washington’s Skagit Valley transforms into a Dutch painter’s dream when millions of tulips bloom across family-owned farms.

The month-long festival lets you wander through rainbow-striped fields, grab photos without the overseas flight to Holland, and pick up fresh bulbs for your own garden. Here’s how to make the most of your time here.

Millions of Tulips Bloom Across Washington Farms

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival happens every April when tens of millions of tulips bloom across Washington State farms. It’s a massive event that draws 400,000 to 600,000 visitors each year wanting to see those colorful fields.

The festival is spread across 350 acres, through RoozenGaarde, Tulip Town, Garden Rosalyn, Tulip Valley Farms, and Skagit Acres, and you drive between them. Some gardens have walking paths through the fields while others focus more on artistic designs.

The flowers don’t all bloom at once either. Weather affects their bloom, so there’s always an element of surprise with plenty to do, including art shows, a tulip parade, a street fair, and a nighttime tulip experience called “Night Bloom” at Tulip Valley Farms.

Dutch Immigrants Started Growing Tulips Here in the 1900s

A Dutch immigrant (William Roozen) brought tulip farming to Skagit Valley in the early 1900s. The first tulip bulbs were planted by Mary Brown Stewart in 1906, post-World War II.

Skagit Valley was known for crops like oats and peas. Over time tulip farming became more profitable. The valley’s unique climate and soil conditions mirror those of the Netherlands, making it perfect for cultivation.

The actual festival didn’t start until 1984. This three-day event by the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce now keeps the area’s farming heritage alive while bringing in serious tourism dollars. Washington State University helped out by setting up a research station nearby that developed new varieties.

The Festival Runs All April Near Mount Vernon

The festival runs the entire month of April, with most tulips looking their best mid-month. The main fields are centered around the small towns of Mount Vernon and La Conner, approximately 60 miles north of Seattle and 70 miles south of Vancouver, BC.

There’s no main entrance and you’ll need to buy tickets at each garden (typically $12-20 for adults). Kids, seniors, and military people usually get discounts.

Weekends get super crowded, so go on weekdays if possible. Some gardens offer season passes for repeat visits.

Smart visitors plan which gardens they want to see before arriving and check the bloom map online to see what’s looking good. Some tours and photography sessions need reservations, especially during peak times.

Downtown Parade Shows Off Tulip-Covered Floats

The Tulip Festival Parade is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, at 2 PM in downtown La Conner. Local schools, businesses, and community groups go all out with tulip-decorated floats, marching bands, and dancers.

This year’s theme “Blooming Fantasies” means lots of whimsical, dream-inspired designs. Getting there early is a must if you want a decent spot. Locals stake out parade viewing spots with folding chairs hours beforehand.

Stick around downtown for the street fair activities. Kids especially love seeing the Tulip Royal Court where local high school students compete for scholarships and represent the festival at events.

Many floats toss flower seeds and small souvenirs to the crowd, so bring a bag for collecting goodies. They’re introducing a Daffodil Pet Parade this year, presented by La Conner Thrives Association, adding a new and delightful element to the festivities.

Street Fair Brings 150 Vendors to Mount Vernon

Downtown Mount Vernon transforms into a bustling marketplace April 18-20. This year, they’re expecting about 200 vendors.

Hours run 10 to 6 Friday and Saturday, and 10 to 5 Sunday. Local restaurants and food trucks serve up tons of options, and you’ll hear live music from two different stages throughout the day. Northwest musicians play everything from folk to jazz.

A dedicated children’s area keeps the little ones busy with face painting, crafts, and garden activities geared toward kids. The Street fair’s been happening for over 30 years now, making it almost as much a tradition as the tulips themselves.

Many artists create special tulip-themed items just for this weekend, so it’s a good place to find unique souvenirs.

More Awesome Things to Do During the Tulip Month

Plenty more happens during April beyond just flower gazing. The Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue will serve up amazing grilled wild salmon on weekends until April 28th at Hillcrest Park.

You can also join the Tulip Run on April 5, with both 5K and 10K routes through scenic farmland at The Local Shop in Sedro-Woolley. Wine enthusiasts can sample local wines at the Tulip Festival Wine Festival (April 12-13), where regional food pairings make it extra special.

Families with kids might enjoy the “Tulips for Kids” workshops at the Children’s Museum (April 8, 15, and 22). There are also photography workshops scattered throughout the month where professionals help visitors capture those perfect tulip shots regardless of your camera skills.

Garden Rosalyn

Garden Rosalyn is the new kid on the block but a favorite. Sitting in the east, this smaller five-acre garden packs 150,000 tulips arranged in creative patterns.

Their 2025 theme “Blooming Fantasies” has tulips planted to resemble famous paintings. Tickets cost $16 to $17 for adults, $8 for kids.

Buy online to avoid lines at the entrance. Photographers get early morning “golden hours” on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a few more bucks.

Their café, Petal & Plate, serves decent locally-sourced food with covered seating overlooking the flowers. The whole garden has smooth paths that work fine for strollers and wheelchairs. Most people spend about 90 minutes here.

Skagit Acres

Skagit Acres grows over 250 tulip varieties across its 30+ acres on Peter Johnson Rd. Some are rare heritage varieties.

New for 2025 is their “Tulip Timeline” walkway showing how tulips evolved from wild species to today’s hybrids. Adult admission is $18 but includes a $5 voucher for their bulb shop or garden center.

Their marketplace sells everything from tulip bulbs to local honey, jams, and crafts. Hourly tractor tours (run from 10 to 4) explain commercial tulip farming. Kids dig the scavenger hunt and petting zoo with farm animals.

The farm’s “Bulbs & Blooms” marketplace offers not only tulip bulbs but also gardening supplies, locally-made crafts, and specialty food products like tulip-infused honey and jam.

Tulip Valley Farms

Tulip Valley Farms has the best backdrop: five fields of tulips with snow-capped Mount Baker behind them. Located on Bradshaw Road, this working farm dedicates 35 of its 140 acres to festival tulips arranged in bold color blocks.

Their 2025 special feature, “World of Tulips,” showcases varieties from different countries with cool facts about global tulip growing. Getting in costs $16 (kids under 5 free), and some of each ticket supports local agri-education.

This is the only garden open into the evening till sunset on Fridays and Saturdays. Their wine garden pours glasses from local Skagit wineries that taste even better. Stop by the “Bulb Experience Center” to learn about the year-round work.

RoozenGaarde

RoozenGaarde is the biggest name in the festival. Run by Washington Bulb Company (America’s largest tulip grower with over 1 million spring-flowering bulbs).

The display garden spans approximately 3.5 acres, and the surrounding fields cover about 50 acres, showcasing over 200 tulip and daffodil varieties. For 2025, they’ve redone their windmill garden with seven color-themed sections on Dutch culture.

Adults pay $12-$16 to get in (depending on the day), which covers both the formal display garden and field access. Hungry? Try authentic Dutch treats like stroopwafels and poffertjes (tiny pancakes) at their café.

Join one of the “Farmer’s Tours” offered three times daily to meet actual bulb growers and get the inside scoop on large-scale tulip farming.

Tulip Town

Running Monday to Thursday from 10 to 6, Tulip Town combines traditional field viewing with extra experiences on Bradshaw Road. For 2025, they’ve expanded their indoor flower show with elaborate designs and florist demonstrations every weekend.

Outside, walk the fields or take the “Tulip Trolley” tour around the farm. Admission runs between $15 and $18 for adults. A “Double Bloom” ticket gives you access to both Tulip Town and Skagit Acres for $30.

Photographers love the flower-filled boat and the rainbow “Tulip Trail” with seven color sections. If it rains, head to their covered picnic area where food vendors serve hot meals and snacks. Kids can burn energy in the “Little Sprouts” area with tulip-themed playground equipment.

Nearby La Conner Offers Shopping and Waterfront Dining

The historic waterfront town of La Conner features charming boutiques, art galleries, and waterfront dining along the Swinomish Channel. Nature fans should walk the boardwalk at Padilla Bay Reserve to spot wildlife. The craft beer scene is legit – Skagit Valley Brewing and Farmstrong Brewing Co. use local barley in their beers.

History buffs can visit the Skagit County Historical Museum which runs special exhibits about local farming heritage during tulip season. About 15 miles northwest, you can hike at nearby Deception Pass State Park or bike the flat roads connecting valley towns.