Tesselaar Tulip Festival 2026: Family Guide, Dates & Kids’ Activities

The Tesselaar Tulip Festival returns to Silvan in Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges from Saturday 12 September to Sunday 11 October 2026. The popular spring festival is a favourite destination for families looking for things to do in Melbourne during spring and the September school holidays, with tulips, gardens, live entertainment, Dutch food, tractor rides, family activities and plenty of photo opportunities.

The Tesselaar Tulip Festival 2026 will look a little different this year. The festival has announced that unusually warm and wet weather has affected the tulip crop, meaning there will be fewer flowers across the fields, with blooms expected to be smaller, later and shorter than usual.

The festival is still going ahead, with the gardens, spring flowers, entertainment, food and family activities continuing throughout the festival. To reflect the reduced tulip display, all admission tickets have been reduced by 30%.

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What to Expect at the Tesselaar Tulip Festival in 2026

While the tulip display will be smaller than usual this year, there is still plenty to see and do around the farm.

Visitors can explore the gardens, enjoy live entertainment, sample traditional Dutch food, visit the market and souvenir stalls and take plenty of photos around the festival grounds.

Some of the highlights include tulip and spring flower displays, live entertainment every day, traditional Dutch food and treats, and clog dancing workshops. Visitors can also watch the Historic Cheese Market performances, explore the Dutch windmills and themed photo opportunities, and see the world’s biggest clog.

Families can take a Tulip Tractor ride (extra cost), explore the Fairy Garden, complete a Treasure Hunt, and try traditional Dutch games and garden games. There is also an obstacle course for kids to enjoy, along with craft activities and face painting (extra cost).

You can also explore the farm displays, browse the market and souvenir stalls, and enjoy the many gardens and spring displays throughout the festival grounds.

Tesselaar Tulip Festival 2026 for Kids

Looking for things to do with kids in Melbourne during the September school holidays? The Tesselaar Tulip Festival has two dedicated Children’s Weeks in 2026, with live shows, wildlife encounters, workshops and plenty of activities for families to enjoy.

2026 Children’s Week Program

The daily program includes a mix of free entertainment and activities, with performance times varying between the two weeks.

Week One – 21 to 24 September 2026

10:30 am – Drumming Workshop
10:30 am – Black Snake Productions Wildlife Talk
11 am – Fairy Storytelling
11 am – The Octonauts Present: Captain Barnacles and the Octopod Rescue
11:30 am – Clog Dancing
12 pm – The Octonauts Present: Captain Barnacles and the Octopod Rescue
12:15 pm – Fairy Storytelling
12:30 pm – Black Snake Productions Wildlife Talk
1 pm – Drumming Workshop
1 pm – Historic Cheese Market
1:30 pm – Fairy Storytelling
1:30 pm – The Octonauts Present: Captain Barnacles and the Octopod Rescue
2 pm – Clog Dancing
2:30 pm – Fairy Storytelling

Week Two – 28 September to 2 October 2026

10:30 am – Drumming Workshop
10:30 am – Black Snake Productions Wildlife Talk
11 am – Fairy Storytelling
11 am – Peppa Pig
11:30 am – Clog Dancing
12 pm – Peppa Pig
12:15 pm – Fairy Storytelling
12:30 pm – Black Snake Productions Wildlife Talk
1 pm – Drumming Workshop
1 pm – Historic Cheese Market
1:30 pm – Fairy Storytelling
1:30 pm – Peppa Pig
2 pm – Clog Dancing
2:30 pm – Fairy Storytelling

Program times and activities may change, so check the official Tesselaar Tulip Festival calendar before visiting for the latest information.

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Tesselaar Tulip Festival 2026 Festival Calendar

There are themed weekends and special programs throughout the festival.

12 – 13 September 2026: Turkish Weekend
14 – 18 September 2026: Spring Fever Week 1
19 – 20 September 2026: Dutch Weekend
21 – 24 September 2026: Children’s Week 1
25 – 27 September 2026: All That Jazz Weekend
28 September – 2 October 2026: Children’s Week 2
3 – 4 October 2026: Rock the Fields Weekend
5 – 9 October 2026: Spring Fever Week 2
10 – 11 October 2026: Irish Weekend

The festival is open from 10am to 5pm daily.

Tesselaar Tulip Festival Tickets 2026

Due to the reduced tulip display this season, Tesselaar has reduced all admission prices by 30%.

General Admission Tickets

Valid for one entry on any day of the festival

Adult – $27.50 – Valid for single entry. Children aged 3 – 16 are FREE but require a separate Child ticket.

Concession – $24.50 – Includes Students, Pensioners, WeCare, Veterans, Seniors and Health Care Card holders. Please present your Concession card at entry.

Spring Fever Tickets

Restricted entry dates: 14 – 18 September and 5 – 9 October 2026.
Valid for one entry on a Spring Fever date

Adult – $19 – Valid only from 14 – 18 September and 5 – 9 October 2026. Children aged 3 – 16 are FREE but require a separate Child ticket.

Concession – $17 – Valid only from 14 – 18 September and 5 – 9 October 2026. Includes Students, Pensioners, Seniors, WeCare, Veterans and Health Care Card holders. Please present your Concession card at entry.

BOOK TICKETS

Yarra Valley Floral Day Pass

If you are planning a full day out in the Yarra Valley, there is also a Yarra Valley Floral Day Pass available from 18 September to 2 October 2026.

The pass combines entry to the Tesselaar Tulip Festival and CherryHill Orchards Blossom Festival, which are located around 10 minutes apart. It includes entry to both festivals, a complimentary tractor ride at Tesselaar and a cherry spritzer at CherryHill Orchards. The Yarra Valley Floral Day Pass is available on weekdays only and is not valid on weekends or public holidays.

Price: $40pp, children U17 are free and do not require a ticket.

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Tesselaar Tulip Festival FAQs 2026

Is Tesselaar Tulip Festival suitable for families?

Yes, Tesselaar Tulip Festival is a great family day out from Melbourne, particularly during the September school holidays. There are plenty of activities for children, including live shows, Australian wildlife displays, fairy storytelling, clog dancing, treasure hunts, craft activities and tractor rides.

When is Tesselaar Tulip Festival 2026?

The Tesselaar Tulip Festival 2026 runs from Saturday 12 September to Sunday 11 October 2026 at Tesselaar Flower Farm in Silvan, in Melbourne’s Dandenong Ranges.

The festival is open 10 am to 5 pm daily throughout the festival period.

Where is Tesselaar Tulip Festival?

The festival is held at Tesselaar Flower Farm, 357 Monbulk Road, Silvan VIC 3795, in the Dandenong Ranges. It is approximately a 60-minute drive from Melbourne.

Is Tesselaar Tulip Festival open during the September school holidays?

Yes. Tesselaar Tulip Festival runs throughout the Victorian September school holidays, with dedicated Children’s Weeks from 21 – 24 September and 28 September – 2 October 2026.

How much are Tesselaar Tulip Festival tickets in 2026?

Tickets have been reduced by 30% in 2026 because the unusually warm and wet weather has affected the tulip crop.

What should I bring to Tesselaar Tulip Festival?

As the festival takes place outdoors on a working farm, comfortable shoes are recommended, particularly if you plan to explore the gardens and fields.

Melbourne’s spring weather can also be unpredictable, so check the forecast before heading out and dress accordingly. Don’t forget your camera or phone, as there are plenty of photo opportunities around the gardens, windmills, flowers and the world’s biggest clog.

How long should you spend at Tesselaar Tulip Festival?

Allow at least three to four hours to make the most of your visit. There is more to see and do than simply walking through the tulip fields, with live entertainment, gardens, food, children’s activities, Dutch experiences, tractor rides and market stalls to explore.

If you are visiting during the school holidays and want to see one of the headline children’s shows as well as enjoy the other activities, you may want to allow most of the day.

Is Tesselaar Tulip Festival accessible?

Tesselaar has accessible facilities and parking, and the Tractor Train is wheelchair friendly. People with limited mobility and their carers can ride the Tractor Train free of charge.

As the festival is held on a working farm, some parts of the grounds have uneven or steep terrain. If you have specific accessibility requirements, it is best to contact the festival before your visit.

What are the best days to visit Tesselaar Tulip Festival?

If you prefer a quieter visit, consider going midweek, particularly during the Spring Fever periods. Weekends and school holiday dates can be busier.

Is Tesselaar Tulip Festival still worth visiting in 2026?

The 2026 tulip display will be smaller than usual due to the season’s unusually warm and wet weather. The festival has been upfront about the reduced flower display and has reduced admission tickets by 30% to reflect the conditions.

There is still a full program of family activities, live entertainment, gardens, Dutch food and cultural experiences, making it an option for families looking for a spring day trip from Melbourne or something to do during the September school holidays.

Our Tips for Visiting Tesselaar Tulip Festival

Book ahead: Weekend and school holiday visits can be busy, so consider purchasing your tickets online before you go.

Allow plenty of time: There is much more to see than the tulip fields, so allow several hours to explore the festival.

Bring your camera: The gardens, flowers, Dutch windmills, giant clog and other themed displays provide plenty of photo opportunities.

Wear comfortable shoes: The festival is held on a working farm, so comfortable footwear is recommended and some areas may be uneven.

Check the weather: Most of the festival is outdoors, and Melbourne’s spring weather can change quickly.

Consider visiting midweek: If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting during the Spring Fever periods rather than on a busy weekend.