Albany Tulip Festival

78th Tulip Festival

May 9 & May 10, 2026 — Washington Park

VENDORS I YOGAFEST I VOLUNTEERS I PARKING

The 78th annual Albany Tulip Festival will be held in historic Washington Park, the 81-acre "crown jewel" of the City. The festival features annual traditions rooted in the city’s Dutch heritage, nearly one hundred artisans selling handmade crafts, a fine arts show, food, the KidZone family fun area, two stages of live entertainment, and more than 140,000 tulips in 150 different varieties.

For GPS directions to the main park entrance, use: 1 New Scotland Ave, Albany NY 12208

Parking

Free Tulip Festival Parking Locations:
- Elk Street parking lot (behind the State Education Building). Pick-up location: Elk and Hawk at the stop sign.
- Eagle Street parking lot (corner of Eagle Street and Madison Avenue)

Paid Tulip Festival Parking (ParkAlbany lots):
- Parking Lot 2: 72 Central Ave. (between Central Ave. & Western Ave.)
- Parking Lot 3: 327 Washington Avenue (at Washington and Lexington Ave.)
- Parking Lot 4: 124 Central Ave. (between Central Ave. & Bradford St.)

Parking at these locations is subject to fees. For more information: www.parkalbany.com/find-parking

Public transportation

CDTA will provide complimentary shuttle service to Washington Park on both Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the designated free parking locations:
- Elk Street parking lot
- Eagle Street parking lot

Handicap parking: Albany Medical Center parking lot (628 Madison, enter via Robin Street).

Shuttles will run every 20–25 minutes depending on traffic. For transit information: www.cdta.org

Volunteers

This event is produced with the help of community volunteers and non-profits. Volunteers are still needed. Please call (518) 434-2032 or submit an application to participate.

Special ground rules

• No alcohol outside of the designated beer garden area.
• No glass containers of any kind.
• No animals or pets (excluding ADA-defined service animals).
• All City of Albany parks are tobacco-free and marijuana-free.
• Security personnel reserve the right to inspect any bag, container, or package and confiscate prohibited or illegal items.
• Recording of performances or presentations is prohibited without prior written consent.
• Attendees should be prepared to present age identification if they intend to consume alcohol.
• Ground rules are subject to change; exceptions for medical or childcare reasons may be addressed individually.

Tulip bulb and dig sale

• May 16 — Tulip Dig, begins 9:00 a.m. at the Moses Fountain. The City will provide tools; please bring a garden fork (NOT a shovel) if you have one. Bulbs are $10 for a bag of 30 while supplies last. The dig is limited to designated beds, under the direction of park staff and volunteers, and ends promptly at 12:00 p.m.

• May 17 — Tulip Sale, begins 9:00 a.m. at the Lakehouse. Remaining bulbs are first come, first serve and are $10 for a bag of 30 while supplies last.

Tulip tours

Free tulip tours are led by City Gardener Jena Commerford. Tours are limited and reservations are required. Call 518.434.2032 to reserve a place. All tours are weather permitting.

Street scrubbing (festival kickoff)

May 9, 12:00 p.m. — The traditional Dutch ceremony of scrubbing the streets clean kicks off Tulip Festival weekend. The event includes Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s Tulip Festival opening proclamation and a procession from City Hall. Location: State and Lodge Streets.