Experience the 2023 Albany Tulip Festival
Saturday, May 13 - Sunday, May 14
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 2023 Albany Tulip Festival will take place over Mother's Day weekend on May 13 - 14 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.
The 2023 Albany Tulip Festival will be held during the following dates and times:
- Saturday, May 13: 11am - 6pm
- Sunday, May 14: 11am - 6pm
In addition, here are some of the highlights of Tulip Festival:
- Over 100,000 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!
2023 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. Get details about the schedule below and plan ahead!
Tulip Week Events
- Tulip Tours - May 4 & 5 at 10:00am and 3:00pm; May 10 & 11 at 10:00am and 5:00pm; May 12 at 10:00am and 5:00pm
Washington Park, Albany, NY
Learn more about the vast variety of flowers planted for Tulip Fest with City Gardener Jena Commerford. Tours are free to attend. Spaces are limited and reservations are required; call 518-434-2032 to reserve your place (weather permitting).
Friday, May 12, 2023
- Carillon Concert - 11:30am - 12pm
Outside Albany City Hall, Albany, NY
Amy Heebner performs a special Tulip Festival musical program on Albany City Hall's historic 1927 carillon, a unique instrument consisting of 49 bells that range in size from 27 to 11,200 pounds. - Street Scrubbing - 12pm
State & Lodge Streets, Albany, NY
The traditional Dutch ceremony of scrubbing the streets clean before a big celebration has served as the official kickoff to Tulip Festival weekend for 75 years. 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 2023 Tulip Queen finalists. - Tulip Festival Luncheon - 12:30pm
The Kenmore, 76 N Pearl St, Albany, NY
Immediately following the street scrubbing, the Tulip Festival Luncheon is a farewell and thank you to 2022 Albany Tulip Queen Sam Mills and their Court. Proceeds from the Tulip Festival Luncheon will benefit the Tulip Court’s educational programs via the Capital City Fund, a component fund of United Way of the Greater Capital Region. Tickets are required; please email tulipluncheon@gmail.com to purchase. - Love Albany - Movies Under The Stars - 7:30pm
Washington Park, Albany, NY
Come to Washington Park on the night before Tulip Festival weekend for Love Albany's Movies Under The Stars, presented by Christ's Church Albany, The City of Albany Office of Special Events & Cultural Affairs, and other organizations. Admission is free, and the night's movie will be Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Family activities will start at 7:30pm, followed by the movie at 8:30pm. - See the full list of pre- and post-festival events »
Saturday, May 13, 2023
- The Mendelssohn Club - 11:30am
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 - 11:45am
Begins at formal Tulip Beds by Moses Statue in Washington Park
2022 Tulip Queen Sam Mills, Mayor Kathy Sheehan, and the Dutch Settlers Society lead the 2023 Tulip Queen finalists to the Lakehouse Stage. - Tulip Queen Coronation - 12pm
Washington Park Lakehouse Stage, Albany, NY
Mayor Sheehan and MC Chad O'Hara of B95.5 crown the 75th Albany Tulip Queen in this traditional highlight of Tulip Fest weekend. - Royal Tulip Ball - 6:30pm
NYS Museum, 222 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY
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, contact Sarah Kampf at 518.209.1000 or tulipball@albanyny.gov - Plus live music and entertainment »
Sunday, May 14, 2023
- Yoga Fest with The Hot Yoga Spot - 9am - 10am
Tulip Festival Main Stage, Albany, NY
The Hot Yoga Spot will host free outdoor yoga on the Main Stage on Sunday, May 14. Reserve your spot! - 24th Annual Capital Region Best Mom - 12pm
Washington Park Lakehouse Stage
B95.5's Joe Condon and local officials recognize the Capital Region's most outstanding moms. Presented by St. Peter's Health Partners, Times Union, and B95.5. Nominations open April 9 at www.timesunion.com/capitalregionbestmom - Plus live music and entertainment »
Find Even More Tulip Festival Fun For Kids
The Kidzone
Presented by Price Chopper & Market 32
- Enjoy pony rides, a rock climbing wall, face painting, music, games, and more fun for the family on Saturday and Sunday.
The Price Chopper Kidzone Stage will also feature continuous entertainment throughout the weekend!
Wellness Stage
Stop by the brand new Wellness Stage at Albany Tulip Festival on Saturday and Sunday in the Kid Zone. There will be (6) FREE classes each day for all ages to attend! No registration needed.
Saturday, May 13, 2023
- 12pm - 1pm: Cha Cha Dance Class (and a Social Dance Party) by Simply Ballroom Albany
- 1pm - 2pm: Celebrating 50 years of Hip-Hop: A State of Mind & Body by Artpartners-Tsehaya & Co Inc.
- 2pm - 3pm: Salsa Dance Class by Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Albany
- 3pm - 4pm: Kids Yoga by The Hot Yoga Spot
- 4pm - 5pm: Zumba Class by Best Fitness
- 5pm - 6pm: Belly Dancing by Sisters of the Rising Moon
Sunday, May 14, 2023
- 12pm - 1pm: Bachata Dance Classes (and a Social Dance Party) by Simply Ballroom
- 1pm - 2pm: Celebrating 50 years of Hip-Hop: A State of Mind & Body by ArtPartners / Tsehaya & Company, Inc.
- 2pm - 3pm: Rumba Dance Class by Fred Astaire Dance Studios
- 3pm - 4pm: Kids Yoga by Hot Yoga Spot
- 4pm - 5pm: Zumba Classes by Best Fitness
- 5pm - 6pm: Belly Dancing by Sisters of the Rising Moon
Parking & Shuttle Info
Free CDTA shuttles will take people to Washington Park from three designated locations:
- Elk Street Parking Lot: Located behind the State Education Building - the pick-up location will be Elk and Hawk at the stop sign.
- Eagle Street Garage: Located at the corner of Eagle Street and Madison Avenue.
- Albany Medical Center Parking Lot (free handicap lot): Located off Robin Street, for customers needing extra assistance or in a wheelchair. This particular shuttle will drop passengers off at the Madison Avenue/New Scotland entrance to the park.
Shuttles will run every 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic. All parking lots are free to use the weekend of Tulip Festival.
See more parking options: https://www.parkalbany.com/
Road Closures and Parking Restrictions
The Albany Police Department has announced road closures and parking restrictions for the annual Tulip Festival too.
Friday, May 12
The following are in effect from 9:30am to 12:30pm:
Road Closures
- State Street between Eagle Street and Lodge Street will be closed to all traffic for the Tulip Festival Street Scrubbing event. Motor traffic will be diverted.
Parking Restrictions
- All parking will be prohibited on this section of State Street during these hours.
Friday, May 12 through Sunday, May 14
The following are in effect from Friday at 6am through Sunday:
Parking Restrictions
- Washington Park Road, east side from Hudson Avenue north 6 spaces
- Washington Park Road, both sides from New Scotland Avenue to Lake Avenue
Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14
Road Closures
From May 13 at 12:01am to May 14 at 8pm: All Washington Park roads will be closed to all traffic.
The following roadways will be closed to all but local (resident and emergency vehicles) traffic from 9am to 6pm each day:
- Lancaster Street between Lark Street and Willett Street
- Hudson Avenue between Lark Street and Willett Street
- Willett Street between Madison Avenue and State Street
- Henry Johnson between Western and State Street
- State Street between Robin and Lark Street
The following roadway will be closed to all traffic from 6am to 9pm each day: Englewood Place between Western Avenue and the south dead end.
Parking Restrictions
In Washington Park from May 13 at 12:01am to May 14 at 8pm: All roadways including Henry Johnson Boulevard will have parking restrictions.
The following are closed to parking from 6am to 6pm on both days: Englewood Place, both sides from Western Avenue to the south dead end. Thurlow Terrace, both sides from Western Avenue to the south dead end.
The following are closed from May 13 at 6am to May 14 at 8pm:
- Madison Avenue, north side from the bus stop east of New Scotland Avenue east 12 spaces
- State Street, south side 4 spaces west of Henry Johnson Boulevard
- S. Pearl Street, west side 2 spaces south of State Street
- Madison Avenue, north side 2 spaces west of Grand Street
- Elk Street, both sides 3 spaces west of Eagle Street
- Elk Street, north side 3 spaces west of Hawk Street
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 13 and Sunday, May 14.
Check out the latest Tulip Fest info from the City of Albany >>