Tulip Festival 2027: The Blooms Begin Now

Creating the Tulip Festival is no small task. Each fall, our Gardens team plants thousands of tulip bulbs throughout Ashton Gardens, carefully planning beds and displays that will come to life the following spring.

Our tulip bulbs are sourced directly from Holland, a region famous around the world for its incredible tulips. The bulbs are planted before winter arrives, giving them the cold period they need before warmer spring temperatures encourage them to grow and bloom.

Then, after months underground, Ashton Gardens begins to wake up. Tulips emerge across the property, filling the gardens with brilliant colors a

If you picked up tulip bulbs during the 2026 Tulip Festival—or you have been waiting for the right time to plant them—this is it!

Tulips are planted in the fall because they need an extended period of cold temperatures before they can bloom in the spring. Planting before the ground freezes gives the bulbs time to settle into the soil and prepare for winter.

Here are a few tips from our Gardens team to help get your tulips ready for spring:

1. Choose the Right Spot

Tulips do best in an area with plenty of sunlight and soil that drains well. Avoid locations where water tends to collect, since bulbs can rot if they stay too wet.

2. Dig Deep Enough

A good rule of thumb is to plant tulip bulbs approximately 6–8 inches deep, with the pointed end of the bulb facing upward.

While our tulips may be underground for the next several months, the countdown to spring has officially begun.

Our Gardens team will continue working behind the scenes to prepare Ashton Gardens for another incredible season of color. When spring arrives, thousands of tulips will take center stage during the 2027 Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival.

Follow Thanksgiving Point for behind-the-scenes looks at the planting process, updates as the first tulips begin to emerge, and all the details you will need to plan your visit to the 2027 Tulip Festival.

Until then, happy planting!

3. Give Them Some Space

Leave a few inches between each bulb. You can plant tulips individually or group several bulbs together to create a fuller, more dramatic burst of color in the spring.

4. Water After Planting

Give the area a good watering after planting to help settle the soil around the bulbs. After that, Mother Nature can usually handle much of the work throughout the cooler months.

5. Wait for the Magic

Once your bulbs are planted, the hardest part is waiting! They will remain underground throughout the winter before emerging once temperatures begin to warm.

Still need tulips for your garden?

There is still time to bring a little piece of the Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival home with you. Tulip bulbs are still available for purchase at Thanksgiving Point gift shops while supplies last.

Pick up your bulbs, get them planted this fall, and you could have your own colorful tulip display blooming alongside ours next spring.