Every spring, Ottawa becomes a living postcard, awash in vibrant colour as tulips bloom across the capital. In 2026, that seasonal magic expands beyond the city’s iconic garden beds and into the countryside with the debut of Tulipfest at Saunders Farm presented by Saunders Cider — a brand-new spring attraction celebrating the farm’s 50th anniversary. Running May 9 to May 24, this limited-time event invites visitors to experience nearly half a million tulips in bloom at Saunders Farm’s six-acre circular apple orchard in Munster, just outside Ottawa. Saunders describes it as a joyful new tradition where spring colour, rural charm, and immersive experiences come together.
“We visited Tulipfest and honestly it felt like stepping into a Dutch countryside postcard ,” said Meet Sejpal, a local photographer and freelancer for Ottawa Times. “The fields keep changing as new tulip varieties bloom throughout the season,” added Sejpal
Founded in 1976 by Bill and Anne Saunders and now one of the Ottawa region’s best-known family destinations, Saunders Farm has built its reputation on seasonal experiences like PumpkinFest, FrightFest, and A Country Christmas. But Tulipfest marks a brand new chapter, designed to honour both the farm’s agricultural roots and its milestone anniversary. Incredibly, this is the largest tulip display in a single location in Ottawa, with almost 500,000 tulips and more than 100 varieties sourced directly from the Netherlands. Early, mid, and late-blooming bulbs were carefully selected so the fields transform throughout the festival, creating an evolving sea of colour that continuously changes throughout the season.
What’s unique about Tulipfest
What sets Tulipfest apart is the festival’s countryside setting. Instead of merely viewing colourful flower beds from a distance, guests can stroll along winding orchard pathways surrounded by blooms every which way, along with whimsical art installations, colourful photo ops, strolling performers, and musicians helping create what Saunders calls “picture-perfect moments.”
Social previews and promotional posts — like the one above — have especially highlighted the festival’s picturesque backdrops, emphasizing that visitors should “clear some storage space on your camera.” It makes for a perfect spring escape built for families, couples, photographers, and anyone ready to celebrate warmer weather outdoors.
Food vendors!
Food is also a major part of the experience. Visitors can enjoy European-inspired treats, including Dutch poffertjes (mini pancakes), along with farm-fresh snacks, street food, sweet treats, and, of course, Saunders Cider.
Tulipfest Farm Shop
A dedicated Tulipfest Farm Shop offers bouquets, spring décor, plush souvenirs, and themed merchandise, allowing guests to take a little piece of spring home.
Opening Hours
The festival runs daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (rain or shine), though it is closed May 11, and tickets generally range from $15 to $25 plus fees. Because bloom timing depends on weather, visitors are encouraged to check Saunders Farm’s social channels for updates before visiting.
Ottawa’s Tulip Tradition
While Saunders Farm’s Tulipfest is a new addition, Ottawa’s connection to tulips runs far deeper. The city’s tulip tradition began during the Second World War, when the Dutch royal family sought refuge in Canada after fleeing Nazi-occupied Netherlands. In gratitude for Canada’s protection and the role Canadian soldiers played in liberating the Netherlands, Princess Juliana gifted tulip bulbs to Canada. That gesture ‘blossomed’ into the Canadian Tulip Festival, first established in 1953, which now draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to Commissioners Park, Dow’s Lake, and other locations throughout the capital.
The Canadian Tulip Festival
Today, the Canadian Tulip Festival remains one of Ottawa’s most cherished spring traditions, symbolizing friendship, remembrance, and international gratitude. As most of you know, millions of tulips bloom across Ottawa each year, creating one of the world’s largest public tulip displays
Saunders Farm’s Tulipfest does not replace that legacy — rather, it offers a distinctly different experience. Where the Canadian Tulip Festival is historic, civic, and free-flowing through Ottawa’s urban landscape, Saunders Farm provides a ticketed, rural, entertainment-focused complement with large-scale installations, food, and family-friendly programming. It’s an alternative or complementary spring destination rather than a substitute for Ottawa’s longstanding tulip celebrations.
Two Unique Ways to Celebrate Tulip Season!
For visitors, that means Ottawa offers up another reason to visit there during Spring, now with two unique ways to celebrate tulip season: the historic beauty of the nation’s capital in full bloom, and a fresh farm adventure where spring unfolds in spectacular colour. Whether you’re wandering Dow’s Lake among tulips rooted in history or exploring Saunders Farm’s orchard pathways lined with Dutch blooms, one thing is clear — Ottawa’s love affair with tulips continues to grow.
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