Plan your visit to Tulip Valley Farms during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

Tulip Festival Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs focus specifically on the April Tulip Festival experience, including bloom timing, walk-through access, U-Pick tulips, family-friendly features, and what makes Tulip Valley Farms different from other festival locations.

Rows of Tulips at Tulip Valley Farms

Tulip Valley Farms FAQ Quick Links

Top Tulip Festival Questions

Start here if you’re deciding when to visit or which tulip farm to choose.

These are the most common questions visitors ask when planning a Tulip Festival trip to Tulip Valley Farms.

When is the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?

Officially, the Tulip Festival is April 1-30 every year, but the timing of the bloom is completely up to Mother Nature. We do regular (if not daily) Bloom Reports from our field on our social media channels, so you can see what the bloom looks like in real time. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

When is peak tulip bloom?

Here’s the secret: there’s no such thing as peak bloom! Tulips are planted in early, mid, and late-blooming varieties, which means something is always blooming, but never all at once. No tulip farm or garden will have every variety in full bloom at the same time.

If Tulip Valley Farms is open, you can count on being surrounded by hundreds of thousands of blooming tulips. For visitors traveling from outside the region, mid-April is generally the safest window for seeing a wide range of color.

Can you walk through the tulip rows during the Tulip Festival?

Yes! Tulip Valley Farms is designed as a walk-through tulip experience, with wide, grass-rowed fields that allow visitors to safely walk through the rows and enjoy the blooms up close. Tulip Valley Farms is the only tulip farm in Skagit Valley that allows guests to walk through the rows during the Tulip Festival; other gardens are designed for viewing only.

Are the tulip farms good for kids?

Yes! Tulip Valley Farms is one of the most family friendly tulip farm in Skagit Valley. Kids can walk through the rows, enjoy hands-on activities like U-Pick tulips, and meet the Micro Mini Highland Cows. The layout is designed to feel open and approachable, making it easier for families to explore at their own pace.

Which tulip farms allow U-Pick?

Tulip Valley Farms is the only tulip farm in Skagit Valley that offers U-Pick tulips during the Tulip Festival. Guests can walk through the fields, choose their favorite blooms, and create their own bouquet directly from the rows, making it a hands-on way to enjoy the festival and take a piece of spring home.

How big is Tulip Valley Farms?

Tulip Valley Farms spans 15 acres of tulip fields, featuring 130 flower varieties, including more than 100 tulip varieties. The farm is intentionally designed with wide, walkable rows and open space, allowing guests to explore the fields comfortably and experience a diverse range of colors and blooms throughout the season.

 

Experiencing the Tulip Festival at Tulip Valley Farms

Every tulip farm offers a different experience. These FAQs explain what a visit to Tulip Valley Farms is like during the festival.

What makes Tulip Valley Farms different from other tulip farms?

Tulip Valley Farms is designed as a walk-through tulip experience. Unlike many traditional tulip farms that are intended for viewing only, guests are encouraged to walk through the rows, experience the flowers up close, and explore the fields at their own pace.

When is the best time to visit to avoid crowds?

Weekdays are typically quieter and offer a more relaxed experience. Weekends are busier, especially during peak bloom. That said, Tulip Valley Farms is intentionally designed with wide rows and open space, so the fields rarely feel crowded.

What should I pack or wear to visit during the festivals?

We recommend dressing in layers and keeping a waterproof jacket handy. Spring weather in the Pacific Northwest can change quickly, and the fields are often cooler and windier than nearby towns. Umbrellas are helpful on rainy days, though they may be best left in the car if it’s windy.

Where can I get Tulip Festival tickets?

There is no single ticket for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Each tulip farm and garden is independently owned and operated, so tickets must be purchased directly from the location you plan to visit.

Most farms do not offer refunds, so be sure you are purchasing tickets for the correct venue and date before completing your order. Tulip Valley Farms tickets can be purchased through our online ticketing platform.

Can I see multiple gardens/farms in one day?

Yes, and many visitors do. Each tulip farm and garden has its own personality and experience. On sunny weekends, traffic can limit how many stops you can comfortably make. On weekdays, it is often possible to visit three to four locations in one day without feeling rushed.

Are dogs allowed at Tulip Valley Farms?

Yes! Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome at Tulip Valley Farms. The farm is designed for families, with wide walking areas and open space to explore, making it easy for kids and dogs to enjoy the visit together. Learn more on our Kids & Dogs at the Tulip Festival page.

Is the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival family friendly?

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a wonderful way for families to get outside and enjoy spring in the valley. Some tulip farms are more kid-friendly than others. Tulip Valley Farms is intentionally designed with families in mind, offering grass rows that help reduce mud, U-Pick tulips, and the Micro Mini Highland Cows.

While you may not see uninterrupted carpets of color like at some locations, families often find the experience at Tulip Valley Farms more immersive, relaxed, and enjoyable for kids of all ages.

Are tulips available for picking every day?

U-Pick tulips are available daily while the fields are open. Which varieties are in full bloom can vary depending on weather and bloom timing. You can visit us on Instagram or Facebook for the daily bloom update to see what varieties are at their best during your visit window.

How many flowers are in a u-pick bouquet?

U-Pick and pre-picked bouquets include 10 stems. We provide a bucket to carry your flowers, but bouquets are limited to 10 stems rather than filling the bucket.

When is the best time to visit during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?

The best time to visit depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Weekdays are typically quieter and offer a more relaxed pace. Weekends bring a lively festival atmosphere but also more traffic. For visitors traveling from outside the area, mid-April usually offers the widest variety of blooms across the region.

Is there free parking at Tulip Valley Farms?

Yes. Tulip Valley Farms offers five acres of free on-site parking for visitors, making it easy to arrive, park safely, and enjoy time in the fields without worrying about parking logistics.

 

Tickets, Parking, and Getting Here

These FAQs cover the practical details that help your Tulip Festival visit go smoothly.

Where can I get Tulip Festival tickets? 

There is no single ticket for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Each tulip farm and garden is independently owned and operated, so tickets must be purchased directly from the location you plan to visit.

Most farms do not offer refunds, so be sure you are purchasing tickets for the correct venue and date before completing your order. Tulip Valley Farms tickets can be purchased through our online ticketing platform.

Can I see multiple gardens/farms in one day?

Yes, and many visitors do. Each tulip farm and garden has its own personality and experience. On sunny weekends, traffic can limit how many stops you can comfortably make. On weekdays, it is often possible to visit three to four locations in one day without feeling rushed.

Can I change the date of my Tulip Valley Farms visit? 

Yes, guests can adjust the date of their visit by logging into the ticketing platform. Instructions and additional information about adjusting your visit to Tulip Valley Farms is shown on your ticket. You can also email us at Tickets@tulipvalley.com.

Can I get a refund on my ticket?

Generally speaking, tickets are non-refundable. However, you can adjust the date of your visit by logging into the ticketing platform at least 24 hours in advance. We also recommend adding Purchase Protection at checkout, which allows for refunds in the case of qualifying unforeseen circumstances.

Is there free parking at Tulip Valley Farms?

Yes. Tulip Valley Farms offers five acres of free on-site parking for visitors, making it easy to arrive, park safely, and enjoy time in the fields without worrying about parking logistics.

Where can I stay near the Daffodil Festival and/or Tulip Festival? 

The town of La Conner offers charming, locally owned lodging and is the closest town to most festival fields. Burlington, Anacortes, and Mount Vernon also offer a variety of hotels, restaurants, and shopping options, all within a short drive of Tulip Valley Farms.

 

Families, Kids, and Pets

Tulip Valley Farms is designed to be welcoming for families, including kids and dogs.

Is the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival family friendly?

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a wonderful way for families to get outside and enjoy spring in the valley. Some tulip farms are more kid-friendly than others. Tulip Valley Farms is intentionally designed with families in mind, offering grass rows that help reduce mud, U-Pick tulips, and the Micro Mini Highland Cows.

While you may not see uninterrupted carpets of color like at some locations, families often find the experience at Tulip Valley Farms more immersive, relaxed, and enjoyable for kids of all ages.

Are dogs allowed at Tulip Valley Farms? 

Yes! Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome at Tulip Valley Farms. The farm is designed for families, with wide walking areas and open space to explore, making it easy for kids and dogs to enjoy the visit together. Learn more on our Kids & Dogs at the Tulip Festival page. 

 

Photography and Special Experiences

Tulip Valley Farms welcomes photographers and special moments, with a few guidelines in place.

Do you allow photographers? 

Yes. Photographers are welcome at Tulip Valley Farms. We love seeing the fields through your lens and appreciate photo tags or shared images when permission is given. Please review our Photographers Toolkit for guidelines, policies, and special access information.

Can I do a photoshoot of my car/horse in the tulip fields?

Yes. Vehicle and animal photo sessions may be allowed under specific guidelines. Please review our Photographers Toolkit for details, requirements, and advance approval information.

Does Tulip Valley Farms allow drones?

Drone use may be permitted under limited circumstances. Requests must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance by emailing Communications@TulipValley.com. Approval is required before any drone flight on the property.

Still Have Questions?

We’re happy to help! If you don’t see your question here, you can find additional answers on our main FAQ page or contact us for assistance.