Those looking to attend The Tesselaar Tulip Festival will be happy to know it is only one hour’s drive from the Melbourne CBD. This popular yearly event is renowned for its amazing display of tulip flowers and interactive exhibits.
You will come across a variety of tulip species from all over the world so come and explore over half a million tulips at the wonderful Tesselaar Tulip Festival.
Tesselaar Tulip Festival 2023 Dates Calendar, Times & Tickets, Silvan
Well over a million spring flowering bulbs are on show throughout the festival. We have live entertainment on stage every day for you to enjoy, including music and performances. You can wander around the gardens and indulge in traditional Dutch foods and other treats. There is more than a touch of Dutch; you could visit our Clog Shop and try some on, see the biggest clog in the world (and climb in for a photo). You can find treasures in the souvenir and market stalls. See beautiful garden displays, take a Tulip Tractor ride, see farm displays, visit our Fairy Garden, complete a treasure hunt, and so much more.
On Every Day
Every day (except Children’s Days), there is a Clog Dancing Workshop at 11:30 and 2pm, see how it is done and give it a whirl. Plus at 1pm the Historic Cheese Market performance is where you can see an amazing spectacle of how Dutch cheeses were bought and sold. Admire the replica Dutch Windmills positioned throughout the tulip fields and gardens; great for a photo or two! The best Dutch fare with traditional treats from Poffertjes to sausages and everything in between.
The tractor train departs from the Tulip Station regularly, taking in the gorgeous scenery as it tours the farm. Passengers will enjoy an audio full of information about how the farm began and how we grow and care for all the flowers. This is a wheelchair-friendly ride, and people with limited mobility and their carers ride free. Anyone over 4 is $5, and under 4 are free of charge. Groups of four are $15.
There is a huge range of food available every day. Including such Dutch treats as Poffertjes, Croquettes, Dutch Kibbeling (fish), Reifkoek (Dutch Potato Cakes), Frikandellen (Sausage dish), Gozleme, Baked Potatoes, Potato Twisters, Cakes, Calamari, Double Dutch Soft Serve, Belgian Fries to name a few. You are welcome to bring a picnic too. The food stall prices range from $3 to $23.
Market and food stalls are showing off their wares every day at the Tesselaar Tulip Festival. Choose from thousands of unique souvenirs, many imported directly from Holland, including wooden clogs and tulips.
Have a drink with friends and enjoy the variety of live musical entertainment every day. The fairy garden Fairy tells her magical tales.
Australia’s largest wooden clog is on display at the Tesselaar Tulip Festival. Visitors are welcome to jump in for a photo!
Turkish Weekend (September 16 – 17)
The tulip originated in Turkey, and they were host to the world’s first Tulip Festival more than 400 years ago. The love for the Tulip and the tradition is still strong today.
The Tesselaar Tulip Festival Turkish Weekend is a showcase of Turkish culture among the tulips. With more than 100 performers, it is a colourful and exciting weekend.
This year’s Festival will once again feature demonstrations of art, dance, music and gourmet food. Visitors will have the opportunity to celebrate, learn, and savour Turkish hospitality, culture, and heritage.
Children’s Weeks (September 18 – 21 & September 25 – 28)
There will be an awesome lineup of family fun, including Live Interactive Experiences with Bluey and Bingo during week one of the holidays. In week two, Peppa and George Pig come for their stage show.
There will be the Fairy with intriguing tales in the Fairy Hollow. You can touch and learn about Australian wildlife from Black Snake Productions. There are a variety of craft workshops on offer for a small fee. Children can test out their powers of observation on the Treasure Hunt, participate in some fun Dutch and garden games, ride on the Tulip Train, indulge in traditional Dutch foods and other treats, see market stalls, visit the clog shop, and, of course be amongst the sensational tulips.
Oh, don’t forget, there are plenty of photo opportunities!
Dutch Weekend (September 22 – 24)
Grab your clogs and head on to the Tesselaar Tulip Festival this weekend as it transforms into a mini-Holland!
The founders, Cees and Johanna Tesselaar, emigrated from The Netherlands on their wedding day, bringing tulip bulbs in their suitcase, and their passion for flowers lives on this weekend.
Food Wine & Jazz Weekend (September 29 – October 1)
Come along and tap your toes to the music while indulging in delicious Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges foods and beverages. Entry includes complimentary tastings from some amazing boutique wineries, distilleries and breweries.
Live Music with Dr Jazz and the Gangsters Palace, Apple Ida and Her Cider Press Band and The Daryl McKenzie Jazz Ensemble will entertain all weekend.
The Tulip Fairy will be telling tales in the fairy garden. There are some delicious market stalls and all the fun of the fair with the daily activities and features.
Spring Fever Weeks (October 2 – 5 & October 9 – 12)
This is a great time to enjoy a day out in the tulips without the rush of school holidays. Need another reason? The tickets are specially discounted for these weeks only!
Rock the Fields Weekend (October 6 – 8)
Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy some rocking tunes in the blooms this weekend.
THere will be live music from the 50’s and 60’s to cut a rug to, funky food trucks and fashion fun – spot prizes given to the best-dressed beauties and beaus.
Irish Weekend (October 13 – 15)
Why not rejoice in the Tulips this weekend with fun, music, dancing and Leprechauns! It is time to get out and enjoy spring while the tulips continue to bloom!
As you sit back and enjoy a Guinness or Kilkenny, there will be top musical entertainment on two different stages from The Kerrys and The Tipplers. There will be Irish Pipers roving the fields all three days, and enjoy Irish dancing performances from The Victorian Irish Dancing Academy at 11am, 1:30pm & 3:00pm on Saturday & Sunday.
The delightful Dandenong Ranges Yarra Valley region provides a stunning backdrop for this unmissable event. This area is home to many magnificent gardens to visit over the weekend.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. If you purchase your tickets online, you must print them; they can be used for one admission on any day. Tickets on mobile phones will not be accepted.
You can drive to the festival which is around 60kms from Melbourne. Alternatively, get on a Lilydale-bound train from Melbourne CBD and alight at Lilydale Station.
There will be a bus charter on the weekends and Public Holidays to make things easy for you. Buses depart Lilydale Station (to meet the train) and deliver you to our door. The cost is just $5pp, and children 16 and under (when accompanied by an adult) ride free.
I am planning to visit Melbourne in early September, 10 September.
Can we visit the farm? is there any tulips to see?
Hi Sen,
Yes, you can visit the farm on 10 September 2018, however if you are around on 15 September 2018 you will be able to enjoy the first day of the Tesselaar Tulip Festival!
Have a wonderful time!
Best regards,
Jess
hello,
Do the tulips still bloom in or around mid-December? Is it possible to come by for some wedding photos if the flowers are still in bloom?
Hi Naomi,
Unfortunately, the tulips are harvested at the end of the festival, so there wont be any on display in December.
Best regards,
Jess
Hi there,
How often do we have the Tulip Tractor Ride during the day. I have 3 kinds. So I have to come prepared. On average how long do kids enjoy staying there?
Thanks
Hi Darin,
The tractor rides run regularly throughout the day as demand requires. You don’t mention your children’s ages, however I would think that 2 hours could be filled quite well with all the attractions.
Have a great day at the Tesselaar Tulip Festival.
Jess
Thank you Jess. Kids ar 5, 2 and 1 yr old. I’ll go today.
Cheers
Hello,
What is the program of events for Tuesday 10th October please?
Anything for children or is that only during the school holidays?
Thanks
Denise
Hi Denise,
The Tesselaar Tulip Festival hosts market stalls, musical entertainment and exhibitions every day, there is also a Tulip Tractor Ride (for a small fee) which kids will enjoy.
Have a great time at the festival!
Jess
Hi
I was wondering do we can to bring chair and some staff for sit and get rest??
Hi there,
Yes, there are a number of tables and chairs available for you to use at the festival, and you are welcome to bring bring your own picnic rug or picnic for that matter and relax for the day.
Kind regards,
Jess
Hello I’m planning on coming Saturday Oct 7 th around lunchtime, is there much parking?
Hi Carolyn,
There is plenty of off-street parking on site. I don’t think you will have an issue.
Kind regards,
Jess
Hello, what does the Tulipmania theme include?
Hi Max,
Tulipmania was created as an extension to the festival, as the tulips flowered one week later this year. The schedule is yet to be confirmed, but there will be daily live entertainment and other (yet unspecified) activities.
Head on over for the last week of the Tesselaar Tulip Festival!
Jess
Hi. I will be arriving Melbourne on 18th October 2017. Is there any chance for me to visit the tulips? Maybe at other places or park.
Hi Aribah,
Unfortunately, the Tesselaar Tulip Festival only runs until 15 October and they tulips will be harvested immediately thereafter. You can still however head over to the Tesselaar Tulip Nursery (same location) to see what they have on offer. I am not aware of any other tulip farms in Victoria, however I would highly recommend a visit to the National Rhododendron Gardens which are magnificent in Spring.
Have a great time!
Jess
Hi there,
Can I bring my dog inside tulip festival?
Thank you.
Hi Cecelia,
Dogs on lead welcome, please remember to bring a bag.
Kind regards,
Jess
Hi, is the tulip still flowering on 12 October as I plan to visit Melbourne on 12 October and scared not many tulip are flowering when i visit there.
Hi Phonet,
Yes, there will still be tulips flowering. The Tesselaar Tulip Festival will run until 15 October. Have a great time!
Jess
Hi there,
Im planning to visit the farm on this friday. Will the tulips be flowering??
Whats the entry free?
Thanks
Hi Shazz,
Tulips are flowering at the moment, so this weekend is a great time to make the trip to the Tesselaar Tulip Festival! Ticket prices are listed on our page:
Adults: $28
Concession: $24
Child (under 16): Free
Regards,
Jess
Hi there
Thanks for your response. Do you have aby idea that how long it took to get there from the Airport?
Thanks
Hi Devinda,
It will take around 30 minutes from the Airport to Melbourne CBD and another hour from the CBD to the Dandenong Ranges. All up, I would allow for 2 hours of travel/transit time.
Regards,
Jess
Hi there,
we are hoping to visit the Tulip festival on 4th October, and how we get there from the Tullamarine Airport?
thanks
Dev
Hi Devinda,
Make your way into the Melbourne CBD by taking either the Airport Bus (Skybus) or a taxi to Southern Cross Station.
Board a Train to Lilydale Station. From Lilydale station, board the Route 663 Bus which will take you to the Tesselaar Tulip Festival.
Best regards,
Jess
Hi, we are 3 senior ladies who are hoping to see the tulips in full bloom and were intending to come this Friday 22nd but are unsure if there will be a good showing yet due to the late flowering. Any advice ?
Hi Moreen,
I would wait an extra week if you can. The tulips are starting to flower, but not as fully as you might like to see.
Best regards,
Jess
Hi I’m just wondering what’s the best time and dare to visit this festival. I wanna see tulip flowers.
Thanks
Regards,
Zeeshan
Hi Zeeshan,
I would give it another 2 weeks (early October) for the tulips to be in full bloom.
Have a great time at the Tesselaar Tulip Festival!
Kind regards,
Jess
Hello, i saw on official website that the tulips is blooming late this year. will it be available beyond 10th October?
Hi John,
Yes, the Tesselaar Tulip Festival has been extended due to the late blooming of the tulips. They will remain open until the 15th of October, so get on down there to enjoy them whilst they are in full bloom!
Kind regards,
Jess
I am visiting Melbourne on 12th Sept 2017, whether the tulips flowers are available to see.please guide me.
Hi there,
Yes, some of the tulips will have begun to flower. Have a great time at the Tulip Festival!
Regards,
Jess
I am plan to visiting Melbourne on oktober 2018, whether the tulips flowers are available to see.please guide me.
Hi Nani,
Hi there,
Yes, some of the tulips will have begun to flower. Have a great time at the Tulip Festival which is running now!
Regards,
Jess
can i know the exact date fot tulips festival?
im planning to visit Melbourne on 16th OCT. Is there any chance for me to see tulips?
Hi Nani,
The dates for the Tesselaar Tulip Festival are included on our page: 14 September 2017 to 10 October 2017
Turkish Weekend: 15-17 September 2017
Yarra Ranges Week: 18-21 September 2017
Dutch Weekend: 22-24 September 2017
Children’s Week: 25-28 September & 2-5 October 2017
Food, Wine & Jazz Weekend: 29 September – 1 October 2017
Irish Weekend: 6-8 October 2017
Have a great time!
Jess
Hi there,
Will I be able to see any tulips, say mid Oct, 15th?
Hi Yani,
The Tessealaar Tulip Festival runs between 14 September and 10 October 2017. For the rest of the year the Tesselaar Tulip Farm operates as a nursery and mail order plant business. Sadly the tulips are not on display at any other time. So you will need to try and get there on or before the 10th of October.
Kind regards,
Jess
Hi, is there any tour program to get to Tesselaar Tulip Festival??
i will be at Melbourne at 21 September 2017….and i would like to go to Tesselaar Tulip is its possible…
or any advice how to get there which is suitable for child and elder….
looking forward for your answer…
thanks before
Hi Yessy,
If you don’t have your own transport, the best way to get there is via train from the Melbourne CBD.
Board a Train from Flinders Street Station to Lilydale Station. There will be a shuttle bus from Lilydale Train Station that will go to the Tesselaar Tulip Festival 5 minutes after the train arrives. The prices is $3 for a return ticket.
Kind regards,
Jess
Hi.
I am planning to visit on 14 September 2017. Will I be able to see any tulips?
Thank you,
Diana
Hi Diana,
Yes, all going to plan weather-wise, the tulips will be in bloom.
Kind regards,
Jess