Spring bursts onto the scene when thousands of bulbs bloom.
Celebrate the colorful tulips at farm festivals, Chicago-area conservatories, gardens and arboretums, city parks and more!
Here, tulip season happens when temperatures sit around 50 degrees, usually between mid-April and mid-May. You can expect two to three weeks of bloom time, or a little less if summer temperatures creep in early.
Tulip Festivals and Farms in Illinois
Two family farms anchor some of our most vibrant tulip displays—one nestled in the far north near the Wisconsin border, the other tucked along the southern edge by Indiana. When the fields burst into bloom, these farms celebrate with a festival-like atmosphere. For up-to-the-date information on the blooms, follow them on social media.
Richardson Tulip Festival, Spring Grove
What began in 2020 with 300,000 tulip bulbs has grown to more than 1 million blooms from 30 varieties at the five acre Richardson Family Farm. On admission you'll get your very own fresh tulip, the perfect companion as you wander the colorful walking trail, play lawn games with your family, tap your feet to live musicians, or sample delicious offerings from a lineup of food trucks. Nearby, the Adventure Farm and gift shop offers fresh doughnuts, warm kettle corn, and popcorn.
Midwest Tulip Fest, Maple Park
Experience and celebrate a little Dutch heritage at the Kuipers Family Farm, amid 8 acres of 650,000 blooming bulbs. Select your favorite blooms from the 30+ varieties and cut your own personal three, six, or nine flower bouquet for purchase. While exploring the colorful fields, enjoy the other FunFarm activities—bounce on the jumping pillow, speed down the treetop tube slide, and listen to live music filling the air on weekends.
Tulip Gardens Inside and Out
Tulip seekers can also find these cheerful perennials in other spots in or near Chicago. Step under a dome or go outside to see tulips in the Windy City and surrounding area.
Garfield Park Conservatory
Spring tulips burst into color at this historic West Side gem, with fresh blooms continuing in the Artist's Garden through fall. Reserve your spot to explore the stunning 1908 indoor and outdoor gardens—free for Chicago residents and kids under 7.
Garfield Park Conservatory Garfield Park Conservatory
Chicago Botanic Garden
Spring transforms Glencoe with 77,000 vibrant tulips. You'll find these colorful blooms dotting the Crescent Garden, Graham Bulb Garden, and Circle Garden. Plan your visit with parking and admission fees in mind if you're not a member.
Chicago Botanic Garden Chicago Botanic Garden
The Morton Arboretum
Brilliant tulips mingle with diverse spring bulbs, annuals, and woody plants in Lisle. The curated garden beds and containers near the visitors center showcase this seasonal display of color and texture—a perfect start to your arboretum adventure.
The Morton Arboretum The Morton Arboretum
Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show
Step into a wonderland of color at the Spring Flower Show, where tulips stand proud among countless vibrant blooms. This Chicago treasure is free, but popular, so you'll need to get a timed entry ticket.
Lincoln Park Conservatory Lincoln Park ConservatoryChicagoland Parks with Petals
These Chicagoland suburban parks boast a bevy of blooms.
Phillips Park Zoo, Aurora
Here in the Sunken Garden, more than 10,000 bulbs bloom into beautiful tulips each season. Even if you miss tulip time, there's always something colorful to see, with annuals coming in next. There's more nature to enjoy, too, as the zoo houses about 100 animals from 41 species. You'll find birds, reptiles, and even a lynx and Scottish Highland cow! Free admission, open every day of the week but Wednesday.
Cantingy
Tulip beds dot portions of Cantingy's sprawling 500 acres. These world-class gardens rank among the Midwest's largest display collections, featuring a rich mix of annuals, perennials, trees, and flowering shrubs. Pack a picnic to enjoy on the grounds, before exploring the 2.5-mile nature trail winding through the property. Admission is per vehicle, and prices vary by day.
Lilacia Park, Lombard
Though known mostly for its 700 fragrant lilac trees, this city park is no slouch when it comes to its tulip display, dazzling with 35,000 blooms each spring. Beyond the blooms, discover the delightful butterfly garden, tranquil pond, and scenic 0.6-mile walking trail. Its contribution to America's horticultural history earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Downtown Tulip Viewing
Chicago welcomes spring with more than 100,000 Dutch bulbs along the Magnificent Mile. They're not the only color you'll find on this stretch of Michigan Avenue. As the city's main retail shopping zone, there are sights (and bargains) galore, plus world-class restaurants and attractions. Venturing beyond Chicago, you can also enjoy 27,000 tulips lining Naperville's downtown area, and snag a floral selfie in front of Oakbrook Center's Tulip House in Oak Brook.