It’s finally spring here in NYC, and we can’t wait to celebrate with all the floral festivals! One absolute can’t-miss flower festival is happening right outside the city with over 8 million blooming tulips!
And we aren’t the only ones to think so… according to a new study done by SIXT, the Holland Ridge Farms U-Pick Tulip Fest is officially the best tulip festival in the U.S.!
What is the Holland Ridge Farms U-Pick Tulip Fest?
The Holland Ridge Farms U-Pick Tulip Fest, also known as the U-Pick Tulips: Spring Spectacular, is an annual event held at Holland Ridge Farms in Cream Ridge, New Jersey.
This event typically takes place in April and features over 8 million tulips across 300 acres of land. Visitors can pick their own tulips for a small fee—$1 per stem on weekends and 50 cents on weekdays—and enjoy a variety of activities and amenities.
Things to do during the festival
Holland Ridge Farms’ annual event is much more than just picking tulips, but it’s full celebration of spring! See the full itinerary below:
- Tulip Picking: Guests can pick their own tulips at $1 per stem on weekends and $0.50 per stem on weekdays.
- Food Trucks: A variety of food trucks will be on-site daily, offering a selection of gourmet meals, sweet treats, and Dutch-inspired delicacies.
- Immersive Photo Props: Visitors can capture stunning photos with larger-than-life tulip-themed props, Dutch-inspired displays, and scenic backdrops placed throughout the farm.
- Windmill Experience: Debuting this season, the farm’s 100-foot-tall windmill provides panoramic views of the tulip fields. Access requires a $10 ticket, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Dutch Fest: Scheduled for Easter weekend, this festival celebrates Dutch culture with a 15-piece brass band from Holland, traditional foods like stroopwafels and poffertjes, Dutch cheese tastings, floral-themed cocktails, and photo opportunities with individuals in traditional Dutch attire.
- Farmers & Makers Market: Hosted by Asbury Fresh on weekends, this market features artisans offering flower and farm-related items.
- Free Hayride Shuttle: Ride a rustic tractor around the farm for free!
- Friendly Farm Animals: Meet mini farm animals and feed them for just 25 cents!
- Horse and Carriage & Pony Rides (weekends only): Explore the flower fields by horse ride!
How to get tickets to Holland Ridge Farms U-Pick Tulip Fest before they sell out
Tickets for the tulip festival will become available one week before the opening date (which has still yet to be announced). But be quick, they will sell out.
Keep your eyes peeled on Holland Ridge Farms’ website for when the opening day gets announced plus tickets drop.
How much are tickets?
Festival tickets will be sold by arrival times, ranging from 9 am – 4 pm, with the farm closing at 6 pm. Attendees are urged to arrive at their ticketed time and stay as long as they wish until close. All entry to the farm closes at 5 pm!
In terms of ticket prices, see the different tiers below:
- Weekday general admission: $17 per person
- Weekend general admission: $20 per person
- Weekday group discount: $15 per person (20+ needed in group)
- Private gator service: $150 for 1 hour 45 minutes
When is the best time to visit Holland Ridge Farm’s Tulip Fest?
Wondering when to plan your visit to the farm? Well don’t fret, because there will always be plenty of tulips to check out. Depending on whether you’re ideally looking to pick tulips or simply just take photos of them, it can alter your best timeframe to go!
These are the farm’s recommendations and we have to agree:
- Best time for picking tulips: Opening Day (early April) – The beginning of the season usually sees shorter tulip buds early on in their life cycles, meaning it’s optimal time to pick them and take them home to live in your own vase!
- Best time for picking tulips and taking photos: Peak bloom (end of April/early May) – The middle of the season’s peak bloom means the colorful tulips have opened up and are perfect for picking and taking pictures!
- Best time for taking photos: Last week (mid/end of May) – The end of the season means many tulips are still bloomed with long stems, but at the end of the life cycle. They look beautiful, but won’t last long if you pick them and bring them home.