Celebrate 70 years of the Tesselaar Tulip Festival from Sept 13 to Oct 12, 2025. Discover tulip fields, themed weekends, family fun, tickets & tips.
Spring in Melbourne is always special, but this year it’s about to be extra colourful. The much-loved Tesselaar Tulip Festival is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025, marking seven decades of tulips, tradition, and joy in the Dandenong Ranges. Whether you’re a local Melburnian looking for a day out or a visitor planning your spring trip, this festival is one of the season’s must-see highlights.
Festival Overview – Tesselaar Tulip Festival
- Dates: 13 September – 12 October 2025
- Opening Hours: Daily, 10 am – 5 pm
- Location: Tesselaar Flower Farm, 357 Monbulk Road, Silvan VIC (around 40 km east of Melbourne CBD, in the stunning Dandenong Ranges).
Just over an hour’s drive from the city, the festival transforms 55 acres of farmland into a sea of tulips, with over one million blooms spread across the property.
A Bit of History and Heart – Tesselaar Tulip Festival
The festival began back in 1954, thanks to Dutch migrants Cees and Johanna Tesselaar, who wanted to share the flowers of their homeland with their new community. The very first event raised funds for the Australian Red Cross, and what started as a small gathering has since grown into one of Victoria’s biggest spring celebrations. Today, the festival showcases more than 120 tulip varieties and has become a proud part of Melbourne’s cultural calendar.
Over the last 70 years, the festival has blossomed into a colourful celebration that draws over 100,000 people every year, all captivated by fields full of radiant tulips and the welcoming Aussie spirit.
What’s On – Themed Weeks & Weekends
The Tesselaar Tulip Festival is more than just a walk among flowers – every week brings something different. Here’s what you can look forward to in 2025 – It’s the perfect spot to soak up some spring sunshine and get lost in fields painted with more than 120 tulip varieties, all blooming like a dream.
- Turkish Weekend (Sept 13–14): Celebrate tulips’ Ottoman heritage with Turkish music, food, and dance.
- Spring Fever Week 1 (Sept 15–19): Quieter weekdays and discounted entry.
- Dutch Weekend (Sept 20–21): Think cheese, clog dancing, and traditional Dutch treats.
- Kids Week 1 (Sept 22–25): The Octonauts in the Octopod, fairy gardens, and hands-on fun for little ones.
- All That Jazz Weekend (Sept 26–28): Live jazz, food stalls, and drinks among the blooms.
- Kids Week 2 (Sept 29–Oct 3): Meet PAW Patrol and enjoy kid-friendly entertainment.
- Rock the Fields Weekend (Oct 4–5): Rock ‘n’ roll vibes, vintage cars, food trucks, and dress-up fun.
- Spring Fever Week 2 (Oct 6–10): More quiet weekdays and cheaper tickets.
- Irish Weekend (Oct 11–12): A big finale with Irish music, dancing, and plenty of craic.
Visitor Information
Ticket Prices
- Adults: $36 (or $25 during Spring Fever Weeks).
- Concession: $32 (or $22.50 during Spring Fever Weeks).
- Children (3–16 years): Free with a paying adult.
- Kids under 3: Free, no ticket required.
Tickets are available online at tulipfestival.com.au.
Getting There
- By car: About an hour from Melbourne CBD. Parking is free on site.
- By public transport: Catch a train to Lilydale Station, then hop on the shuttle bus running directly to the festival on weekends.
Facilities
- On-site café, kiosk, and bars
- Picnic areas and food stalls
- Parents’ room and baby-friendly amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible pathways
- Dogs welcome (on lead)
What’s On and What to See – Highlights & Experiences
Prepare to be dazzled by over a million flowering bulbs — not just tulips, but daffodils, hyacinths, and more. The festival’s got themed weekends throughout September and October, making every visit a fresh experience:
- One million flowers: More than 120 varieties of tulips across 55 acres – the perfect backdrop for your spring photos.
- Floral displays: Instagram-worthy themed gardens and Australia’s largest clog for a fun photo op.
- Family-friendly fun: Tractor train rides, children’s shows, fairy gardens, and character appearances.
- Cultural food & drink: Dutch poffertjes, Turkish delights, local wine, craft beer, and more.
- Live entertainment: From jazz to rock and cultural dance performances, there’s always music in the air.
Nearby Gems to Extend Your Day Trip
While you’re out that way, why not explore a bit more of the gorgeous Dandenong Ranges? Drop by Ripe Cafe in Sassafras for a spot of lunch or pop into Seville Estate for a cheeky wine tasting. It’s the perfect complement to a day spent surrounded by flowers.
- Arrive early to beat the crowds and secure the best parking.
- Visit on weekdays during Spring Fever Weeks for cheaper tickets and fewer people.
- Dress comfortably – wear comfy shoes and bring a hat or jacket (Melbourne weather can be unpredictable).
- Bring your camera – the tulip fields are at their peak beauty for only a few weeks each year.
- Make it a day trip – explore nearby Sassafras and Olinda for tea rooms, boutique shops, and gardens, or pair the festival with a winery stop in the Yarra Valley.
For seven decades, the Tesselaar Tulip Festival has been bringing colour, culture, and community spirit to Melbourne’s spring. In 2025, the 70th anniversary promises to be the biggest celebration yet – whether you’re chasing that perfect tulip photo, introducing your kids to the magic of spring, or simply looking for a memorable day out.
It’s a great chance to get outside, snap some stunning photos, and soak up an event that’s truly part of Melbourne’s heart. Whether you’re bringing the family, heading out with your mates, or making a solo pilgrimage for some much-needed floral therapy, this festival packs a punch in pure joy.
So mark your calendar, grab your tickets, and get ready to walk through fields of flowers. This is Melbourne’s spring at its most spectacular.