Tesselaar Tulip Festival

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.

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.

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.