Spring festivals bloom around the world

Travel

Springtime festivals featuring native blooms can be enjoyed in picturesque locations throughout the world.

We have a world-famous festival right here in the state of Georgia. The International Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in Macon in late March. In addition to seeing 300,000 flowering Yoshino cherry trees, there's a parade, tour of homes and a fashion show, just to name a few of the entertainment offerings.

Cross the state line to enjoy the Biltmore's annual Festival of Flowers. The Asheville N.C. landmark and tourist attraction is ablaze with hundreds of colorful blooms, both inside the home and in the surrounding garden areas of the estate. The event runs from early April through mid-May.

When Disney World puts on a flower show, they do it big and bold. The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is a springtime event featuring millions of flowers on display, along with topiaries designed to resemble Disney characters. Enjoy live music with the Flower Power concert series.

South Carolina's Festival of Flowers is a longtime state tradition. Held in Greenwood in June, the Park Seed Company, known for their trial gardens will be open to the public. In addition to enjoying the flowers and gaining gardening knowledge, there is also live music, children's activities and sporting events.

Texas is known for its gorgeous fields of bluebonnets, which happens to be the official state flower. The flowers begin blooming in late March and many continue blooming throughout the summer. Many small Texas towns host festivals in honor of the blooms. On April 24, Texas celebrates State Wildflower Day. One of the best ways to enjoy the blooms is by following a bluebonnet trail, scenic driving routes that offer vistas of floral beauty.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Washington D.C. from late March through mid-April and features special events throughout the city. The festival also includes cultural performances, art exhibits, fireworks and other events celebrating springtime.

The Tulip Time Festival in Holland, MI is a popular annual event usually held the first week of May. In addition to the tulip tours via trolley, there's also a parade, concerts, carnival and art and craft fair.

Enjoy springtime festivities north of the border as well. The Butchart Gardens in British Columbia offer breathtaking blooms during the months of spring. In addition to all of the flowers and trees, the Rose Carousel will delight children. Pictured here is the sunken garden.

There are many cherry blossom festivals held throughout Japan, with most taking place between March and May. In addition to viewing the delicate blooming trees, one can enjoy cultural performances, tea ceremonies and a special treat at night, when the trees are illuminated.

Holland is of course known for tulips, but the annual Holland Flowers Festival celebrates all kinds of flowers. The event is held in late February near Amsterdam.

Want to enjoy springtime blossoms but can't afford to travel? That's okay, head down the road to the Annual Plant Fair and Sale at Callaway Gardens. The last weekend of March features the plant fair and sale. Come back in April for a celebration of azaleas.

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We have a world-famous festival right here in the state of Georgia. The International Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in Macon in late March. In addition to seeing 300,000 flowering Yoshino cherry trees, there's a parade, tour of homes and a fashion show, just to name a few of the entertainment offerings.

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People march in Bishop Park in Athens on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Protesters gathered in 10 different locations around Georgia’s Congressional District 10, leading up to a “Democracy Fair” at Bishop Park as part of a nationwide day of “No Kings” demonstrations. Organizers estimate that a few thousand people participated, many of them first-time protesters. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

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