Ways the Albany Tulip Festival Celebrates Community Spirit

Tulip Festival's history can be traced back to Albany's distinctly Dutch roots and relationship with Nijmegen, Albany's Dutch Sister-City! In 1947, Albany residents sent food, clothing, medical supplies and more to help rebuild Nijmegen following World War II. In gratitude, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands sent a shipment of tulips to Albany that were planted in Washington Park. This gift led to the first-ever Tulip Festival, held in May 1948, to celebrate the new Sister-City relationship.

Every year, Tulip Festival is officially kicked off with a touch of tradition honoring the city's Dutch roots. The City of Albany recreates a traditional Dutch ceremony of scrubbing the streets before a big celebration! This unique event features Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs' Tulip Festival opening proclamation along with a procession with the Dutch Settlers Society (in full traditional Dutch dress) and the 2026 Tulip Queen finalists.

Learn more with this Q&A: Discover Tulip Festival's Fascinating History & Dutch Roots with Anja Adriaans, FAN Friendship Albany NY-Nijmegen Founder & Executive Director, and Maeve McEneny-Johnson, Discover Albany's Director of Community Engagement.

The crowning of the Tulip Queen is an Albany tradition that dates back to the 1949 Tulip Festival. Each year, an Albany County resident between the ages of 18 to 24 who demonstrates leadership skills and community outreach goals is crowned the Albany Tulip Queen. The Tulip Queen serves as Albany's Ambassador for one full year of reign. She works as a team with her Court members on local literacy programs and community service projects throughout the City of Albany.

Check out Explore 1950s Tulip Queen Fashion with the Albany Institute of History & Art blog post to learn more about the history of the Albany Tulip Queen.

Not only does Tulip Festival showcase the city's treasured tulips, but it also shines a spotlight on the region's talented artisans and musicians. Throughout the two-day festival, there are nearly one hundred artisans selling their handmade crafts to festival attendees. Booths are set up featuring area vendors, businesses and community organizations as well as a fine arts show. Tulip Festival boasts two stages of live entertainment with one stage dedicated to showcasing musicians from Upstate New York.

Saturday's mainstage is headlined by indie rockers Joywave, with Grace Bowers and E-Block also on the bill. The 518 Stage features four local acts: Keegan James, The Sugar Hold, The Belle Curves with Delaney Hafener, and 97otis.

Sunday's mainstage brings the Alex Torres Group, The Ill Funk Ensemble, MJ the Illusion, while the 518 Stage hosts Paintbrush Charlie, Maggie Doherty, Tops of Trees, and the Ky McClinton Band.

The KidZone stage features Andy “The Music Man," Park Playhouse performers with songs from Footloose and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, magician Melvin the Magnificent, and Ruth Pelham of the Music Mobile.

The wellness stage includes Hettie Barnhill Presents: Rhythm, Stretch & Vibes, Tsehya & Co. Presents: “Our Paths: In the Beginning,” YMCA-led Zumba, Afrobeats, yoga from the Jai Yoga School, and bellydancing from the Sisters of the Rising Moon. YogaFest also returns to Washington Park on Sunday with free registration available at thehotyogaspot.com.

Tulip Festival is held over Mother's Day weekend and recognizes some of the Capital Region's most magnificent moms with the Annual Capital Region Best Mom Award. Capital Region mothers who have proven a commitment to their family and their community are nominated for the annual award by their friends and family. Five finalists are recognized at Tulip Festival, before one is crowned as the Capital Region Best Mom. The 27th Annual Capital Region Best Mom celebration takes place Sunday, May 10. This award is a wonderful way to celebrate the community's wonderful moms!

After Tulip Festival is over, locals can volunteer to help the City of Albany Department of General Services prepare the park's garden beds for the summer season with the Tulip Dig. The City of Albany Department of General Services provides tools and volunteers dig up bulbs in designated beds. Volunteers can then purchase the bulbs and plant them in their own backyards! The remaining tulip bulbs are sold the following day at the Washington Park Lakehouse on a first-come, first-serve basis. Everyone is invited to participate!

Celebrate tulip season and the 2026 Albany Tulip Festival with The City of Albany's Office of Cultural Affairs, Discover Albany, Keybank and The City of Albany Department of General Services with #518TulipTracker. Follow along on social media and use the hashtag to join the conversation.