Full Bloom Ahead: Tulip Festivals in British Columbia and Washington
There's nothing quite like brightly-coloured flowers blooming in the springtime. More specifically, brightly-coloured tulips that line endless fields within your eyesight… It's a sure sign that the longer, warmer days of summer are just around the corner, particularly in British Columbia and Washington.
This region is renowned for a lot of "things," including expansive mountain ranges, dramatic coastal scenery, winter sports, fresh seafood, scenic drives, and yes, even notoriously “moody” weather. However, one of the slightly lesser-known things about Washington State and Western Canada — at least to non-locals — is that tulips thrive here. Not only that, but this area is famous for its annual spring tulip festivals.
If a visit to this corner of the world is on your bucket list, why not plan a spring trip and experience the spectacular blooms in person? Here are the top three tulip festivals in Washington and British Columbia we're most looking forward to this year!
Quick note: Tulip season in Washington and British Columbia is rather short and it's dictated entirely by Mother Nature. Approximate festival dates are given, but may change slightly as the season approaches.
Tulips of the Valley Festival in British Columbia
41310 Yale Road, Chilliwack, BC V2R 4J1, along Highway 1
British Columbia's largest flower festival, Tulips of the Valley, is held every spring in Chilliwack. Also commonly referred to as the Chilliwack Tulip Festival, this long-running event features more than 6.5 million tulip blooms (over 30 varieties!), as well as several varieties of other showy blooms including double daffodils and hyacinths. The festival is spread out across over 20 acres of flower fields.
In addition to viewing the colourful tulip blooms, visitors to the Chilliwack Tulip Festival (and their pups — the festival is dog-friendly!) can also enjoy local food trucks or browse The Farm Shop. The shop sells traditional Dutch goodies such as Dutch stroopwafels, as well as fresh tulip bunches and tulip bulbs you can plant at home.
The Chilliwack Tulip Festival in British Columbia runs an annual photo contest with numerous categories, with this year's prizes valued at $2,700. Anyone can enter by using the hashtag #ChilliwackTulipFest on social media. Hint: the best time for photos is typically "golden hour," the hour immediately following sunrise and preceding sunset.
Details including participating food trucks, field trip information, and ticket prices will be released soon. In 2021, for your reference, the Chilliwack Tulip Festival ran from April 11 through May 2.
Where to Stay in Chilliwack, British Columbia
To make the most of your experience at the Chilliwack Tulip Festival in British Columbia, why not spend the night nearby? The newly-renovated Coast Chilliwack Hotel by APA is an excellent choice, with a convenient central location and beautiful views of Fraser Valley. While you're here, take advantage of the indoor pool and hot tub, fitness centre, and onsite restaurant with an outdoor pondside patio, Prestons Restaurant + Lounge. The Coast Chilliwack Hotel is also pet-friendly with electric car charging stations.
People traveling to the festival can take advantage of a residents' rate typically reserved for those who live in BC and Washington, so be sure to ask about that!
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington
Affectionately known as the "Magic Skagit" Valley, this region in northwestern Washington state is defined by sweeping mountains, countless bays and inlets, small picturesque islands, rugged coastline, and the namesake Skagit River. One thing that makes the Magic Skagit even more magical? The annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, held every April.
Unique to this Washington tulip festival, it's designed to be a scenic driving tour and there is no one specific site where events are held. Instead, festival visitors are treated to field upon field of colourful tulip blooms and events scattered throughout Skagit Valley. The tulip festival's official events calendar gives day-to-day information on specific events such as farmers' markets, BBQs, and more.
In addition to specific festival events, there are three unique "show gardens," each with its own offerings: Tulip Town, Garden Rosalyn, and RoozenGaarde. Each of them requires separate ticket purchases and has its own operating hours, so be sure to check individual websites for specific information. Regardless of which you visit, you'll find spectacular photo ops, local food and beverage offerings, and shopping opportunities in onsite gift shops.
Speaking of photo ops, don't miss the annual photo contest. All details and weekly finalists are announced on the festival's official Facebook page.
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival runs from April 1-30, 2022. This interactive map is a wonderful tool for planning your visit.
Where to Stay in Skagit Valley, Washington State
Located just over an hour from the Skagit Valley in Bellevue, Hotel 116 is an ideal choice for visiting the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The pet-friendly hotel is located in the heart of Bellevue with convenient access to everything Seattle and western Washington have to offer, and many rooms have sweeping skyline views. Enjoy free parking, a seasonal outdoor pool, fitness center, and a gated doggy park, plus two onsite dining options, Woods Cafe and DwnUndr Neighborhood Kitchen + Bar.
Bloom's Tulip Festival in British Columbia
5050 Knob Hill Road, Armstrong, BC V0E 1B4
Formerly known as the Abbotsford Tulip Festival, "Bloom" moved out of the Fraser Valley and into Armstrong, in the North Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, in 2021. Armstrong is a tight-knit agricultural community and the festival's move is a great fit all around.
Bloom's Tulip Festival, hosted by a third-generation flower-growing family, features over 20 varieties of tulips including several bi-colour varietals. Visitors can walk directly in the fields, including areas designated as u-pick, where they can create custom bunches and bouquets. There will also be pre-cut bunches of tulips available for purchase, and local food trucks and special photo ops will be available.
The festival organizers expect 2022's event to run for a couple of weeks from the end of April to the beginning of May. Festival admission rates and hours can be found here.
Where to Stay Near Armstrong, British Columbia
While Bloom's Tulip Festival is technically in Armstrong, staying in nearby Kelowna is an excellent choice. Kelowna is not only the largest city in the Okanagan Valley, but it's also a celebrated wine region itself. In fact, Kelowna is widely considered the "birthplace of winemaking in BC!"
Staying at Kelowna's Coast Capri Hotel puts you within easy access of all that Wine Country has to offer, plus it's just an hour from Bloom's Tulip Festival in Armstrong. The pet-friendly hotel offers a number of onsite amenities, including a heated outdoor pool, Beyond Wrapture day spa, Coffeecopia gourmet coffee bar in the lobby, and Vintner's Grill, with a patio and open-air courtyard.