Experience Albany in full bloom this Mother's Day weekend. Enjoy the beauty of Spring at Albany's signature celebration, the 76th Annual Albany Tulip Festival, on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12. Tulip Fest is the event of the season showcasing Albany's rich Dutch heritage and vibrant culture. Scroll on for upcoming special events and tours for the 76th Annual Albany Tulip Festival.
Bonus: Grab the commemorative Tulip Ball Cocktail on the menu at various Albany locations
Tulip Tours
Tip-toe through the tulips with Albany City Gardener Jena Commerford to learn about the vast varieties of blooms planted in Washington Park. Tulip Tours are offered during the fist two weeks of May leading up to Tulip Festival, so it's a great opportunity to explore the vivid tulip beds prior to the weekend crowds. The City of Albany Department of General Services plants more than 100,000 tulips in over 130 different varieties in Washington Park! The Tulip Tours are free, but spaces are limited so reserve your spot by calling 518-434-2032.
Dates & Times:
- Wednesday, May 1 at 10 AM & 5 PM
- Thursday, May 2 at 11 AM & 5 PM
- Friday, May 3 at 1 PM & 6 PM
- Wednesday, May 8 at 11 AM & 6 PM
- Thursday, May 9 at 10 AM & 3 PM
Location: Washington Park
Price: Free
Moveable Community Tulip Mural
Make your mark! In partnership with the Albany Barn, The Capital City Fund sponsored artist Christie Rose from Wild Rose Arts, to create a black-and-white moveable mural, celebrating this year’s Tulip Festival. Community members and visitors alike are invited to contribute and help add color, design, and flair to the mural. Discover Albany's Director of Community Engagement Maeve McEneny-Johnson will be bringing the mural and art supplies to events leading up to the festival. Our goal is for the community to complete the mural before Saturday’s festivities. Her first stop will be Historic Cherry Hill's History Fair on Sunday, May 5!
Follow along on our social media channels to find out where to find the mural and track its progress throughout the week!
The Capital City fund was created in 2014 by Mayor Kathy Sheehan as a way to help nonprofit organizations better serve the people of Albany with effective, innovative programs and services.
Champagne on the Park
Join the Lark Street Business Improvement District (BID) for their annual fundraiser, Champagne on the Park. Enjoy a lovely evening by the Washington Park Formal Tulip Beds to celebrate Lark Street and honor community leaders for their work and positive impact on the neighborhood and greater Capital Region. Guests will be treated to live music by Graham Tichy Band, dinner from Lark Street restaurants and champagne and wine from Capital Wine Albany.
Date: Thursday, May 9
Time: 6 PM to 9:30 PM
Location: Washington Park
Price: Varies
Street Scrubbing
Tulip Festival is rooted in Albany's Dutch heritage, so the weekend festivities are kicked off with a touch of tradition. The City of Albany recreates a traditional Dutch ceremony of scrubbing the streets (in preparation for a big event!) to officially launch Tulip Festival weekend. This unique Albany event will include Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s Tulip Festival opening proclamation and a procession with the Dutch Settlers Society (in full traditional Dutch dress), and the 2024 Tulip Queen finalists.
Date: Friday, May 10
Time: 12 PM
Location: State and Lodge Streets
Price: Free
76th Annual Albany Tulip Festival
Stop and smell the tulips during the main event, Tulip Festival, in Washington Park. The two-day festival features two stages of world-class live entertainment with headlining acts including The Front Bottoms, over one hundred artisans selling crafts, a fine arts show, the Price Chopper KidZone Stage, a Wellness Stage, and plenty of delicious food vendors. Plus, the vivid Washington Park tulip beds create the perfect backdrop for selfies and long-lasting memories with family and friends. Don't miss Park Playhouse's exciting sneak previews of their 2024 musical productions on Saturday at 2 PM on the Price Chopper KidZone Stage. For the full line up of Tulip Festival events on Saturday and Sunday, click here.
Dates: Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12
Time: 11 AM to 6 PM
Location: Washington Park
Price: Free
Tulip Queen Coronation Ceremony
Witness the crowning of the 2024 Albany Tulip Queen by Mayor Kathy Sheehan & B95.5's Chad O'Hara at the Tulip Queen Coronation Ceremony. The official Tulip Queen is crowned in this traditional highlight of Tulip Fest weekend. The Tulip Queen serves as Albany's Ambassador for one full year of reign. She works as a team with her four Court members on local literacy programs and community service projects in Albany. The crowning occurs at the 518 Stage and it is a great way to soak up the spirit of Albany.
Date: Saturday, May 11
Time: 12 PM (Procession starts at 11:30 AM)
Location: 518 Stage (Washington Park Lakehouse)
Price: Free
76th Annual Royal Tulip Ball
Attend an evening of dining and dancing to commemorate the newly crowned Tulip Queen and her court and celebrate the tradition of Tulip Fest weekend that has endured over the past 76 years. The Royal Tulip Ball is a longstanding tradition hosted by The City of Albany Office of Cultural Affairs. All proceeds benefit the Capital City Fund, an organization that provides funding for community activities performed by the Tulip Court each year. The Capital City Fund also provides care to our Veterans and their families, funds events throughout Albany and provides grants to Albany nonprofits.
Date: Saturday, May 11
Time: 6:30 PM to 9 PM
Location: Albany Capital Center
Price: Varies
Annual Capital Region Best Mom Award
Celebrate Mother's Day this year by joining B95.5's Joe Condon and local officials as they recognize some of the Capital Region's most magnificent moms. Capital Region mothers who have proven a commitment to their family and their community are nominated for the Annual Capital Region Best Mom Award by their friends and family. Five finalists are recognized at Tulip Festival, before one is crowned as the Capital Region Best Mom.
Date: Sunday, May 12
Time: 12 PM
Location: Washington Park Lakehouse
Price: Free
Tulip Dig
Have you ever wished you could plant the beautiful tulips from Washington Park in your own backyard? Participate in the Tulip Dig and your dreams will become reality! Volunteer to help the City of Albany Department of General Services dig up bulbs in designated beds. The City provides the tools, but volunteers are asked to bring a garden fork. After participating in the dig, volunteers can then purchase the bulbs and plant them in their own backyards!
Date: Saturday, May 18
Time: 9 AM to 12 PM
Location: Washington Park
Price: Bulbs are $10 for a bag of 30
Tulip Sale
If you are unable to participate in the Tulip Dig, there is still a chance to purchase some Washington Park tulip bulbs to bring home. The remaining tulip bulbs from the Tulip Dig, are sold the following day. Stop by the Washington Park Lakehouse to purchase tulip bulbs on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Tulip Sale is very popular, so it is recommend to arrive early!
Date: Sunday, May 19
Time: 9 AM to 12 PM
Location: Washington Park
Price: Bulbs are $10 for a bag of 30 (Limit of 2 bags per person)
Celebrate tulip season and the 2024 Albany Tulip Festival with The City of Albany's Office of Cultural Affairs, Discover Albany, Citizens and The City of Albany Department of General Services with #518TulipTracker. Follow along on social media and use the hashtag to join the conversation.
