7 flower festivals around the globe to add to your bucket list

Bloemencorso, which literally translates to "flower parade," in Bollenstreek is one of the largest spring festivals in the Netherlands.

The flower festival started after the second world war, binding the Dutch people with the beauty of spring flowers. Every year, different towns in the Netherlands come up with unique themes showcasing the beauty of flowers in different forms of artwork.

This year’s flower festival will be held starting April 19 and will last for almost a week, showcasing the beauty of bulb flowers such as hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips.  

Infiorata Flower Festival 

The Infiorata Flower Festival in Italy celebrates the beauty of art through flowers. Throughout May and June, the streets of Italy are covered with flower carpets with designs from famous paintings, religious arts, and fun shapes in accordance with its theme every year. Usually, the flower artwork can be enjoyed by visitors for two full days, after which it is enjoyed by children to play around before the cleanup. 

Some of the famous Infiorata celebrations include Infioriata di Genzano, which is held in Rome around June, and the Infiorata di Noto, held in mid-May.  

Feria de las Flores  

Columbia is the second largest flower exporter in the world, so it's no surprise that they have their own flower festival called Feria de las Flores.

This vibrant flower festival started in May 1957 in Medellin, Colombia to commemorate the end of slavery. Back then, slaves used to carry wealthy people on their backs when going to the mountains using their silletas.

This week-long event held every August features activities to amuse visitors with fireworks displays, horseback riding, and concerts. The main highlight, however, is the Desfile de Silleteros parade.

Instead of humans, silleteros or flower vendors, carry their flower-decorated arrangements on their backs.

Mackinac Lilac Festival  

Want to experience a flower festival straight out of a fairytale? Visit Lilac Festival in Mackinac Island, Michigan. 

Now on its 75th year, this year’s lilac festival will be having a theme "Mackinac in Bloom." It will be held in June 9 to 18 featuring funfilled activities such as poster making contest, 10K Walk/Run, lilac tours, and planting seminars, among others. 

 

Floriade 

Floriade is a month-long flower festival in Canberra, Australia. The festival, which happens every mid-September to mid-October to celebrate spring, allows visitors to enjoy vibrant spectacles of firework displays, concerts, and floral structures.

Flower Carpet 

Every two years, the Unesco heritage site Grand-Place in Brussels, Belgium lays a larger-than-life flower carpet curated by professionals and volunteer gardeners, showcasing a work of art using over 500,000 flowers.

The first flower carpet was created in 1971 and has been enjoyed by locals and tourists since 1986. 

Professionals plan out a theme to commemorate a certain event, place, or person, then create a work of art that visitors can enjoy for four days.

The last flower carpet even was held in August 12-15, 2022.

7Shibazakura Festival 

Feed your love for pink (and flowers) at the Fuji Shibazakura Festival near Lake Motosuko in Japan. 

This festival takes place every April to mid-June when large fields of Motosuko blooms. It grows at the foot of Mount Fuji, which, when adorned with the vibrant pinks, becomes a sight to behold.