Celebrate the Season at These Stunning New England Spring Flower Festivals
Written by Kaelie Piscitello
As the weather warms, then cools, then heats, then snows one final time, New England begins to settle into “spring.” The bees buzz around, and the first signs of hydrangea bushes peek out behind the barren branches left frozen by the cruel winter. The kids come home for April break, and their parents jet off for Florida in hopes that the Mouse will babysit for them.
As March settles down, consider spending time in nature, particularly at one of New England’s many flower festivals. Breathe in the floral perfumes masking the air and enjoy the breathtaking colors that make the white shutter buildings look prettier than they have in ages. Though April always has rain, the May weather will produce the most beautiful spring buds.
Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum, Boston
While Boston stands out against the rest of New England with its breathtaking skyscrapers and gorgeous urban colonial architecture, the city has a few places to see beautiful greenery, including the Arnold Arboretum.
They hold Lilac Sunday yearly on the second Sunday of May or Mother’s Day. On this day, over 400 lilac plants burst into bloom, welcoming Boston natives and tourists for dance performances, chalk art, and meditation experiences.
The Arboretum also hosts tours of the Arboretum and the lilacs, providing a complete history of this event since 1908. The Arboretum advises attendees to utilize public transportation as they have limited parking on the grounds and expect thousands of people.
Daffodil Days at Blithewold Mansion, RI
Blithewold Mansion has a gorgeous estate and gardens, complete with a beautiful Japanese garden and pond, pristine oceanfront views, and a stunning rose garden. Every April, Blithewold grows a multitude of daffodils across the entire property, welcoming everyone to see the colorful grounds.
As the months turn from May to April, more pretty flowers bloom, and visitors can see many blossoms. Sniff the Sicilian Honey Garlic, gaze at the sassy tulips, and rest under Dove Trees to experience everything Blithewold offers.
A complete guided tour of the mansion and gardens costs $22.
Hildene Formal Garden
New England loves its mansion flower festivals, and Lincoln Garden hosts one each year with over 1,000 peony blossoms. Abraham Lincoln’s family vacationed here and passed it down for several generations before the Friends of Hildene bought and restored it in 1978.
As spring begins, thousands of people migrate to Hildene to see the peonies. They bloom in late June and turn into perennials as summer ends. Admission to Lincoln Garden costs $25 for adults and $8 for children under 16. Children under the age of 6 and members of Hildene can attend for free.
Massachusetts Horticultural Society-Tulip Mania
Each spring, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society hosts a pick-your-own-flowers event where people from all over New England can come, smell the flowers, and take fantastic Instagram photos that will make followers envious.
The beautiful buds stretch throughout a field, and over 75,000 of them wait for an attendee to take them home. This year, the Horticultural Society expects Tulip Mania to begin on April 18 and will remain open until supplies last.
Attendees must purchase tickets online because the property does not sell on-site tickets. They cost $25 per adult and $11.96 per child and include the price of picking five flowers to take home. Members do not need to buy tickets in advance.
Cherry Blossom Festival in New Haven, CT
Washington, D.C., is not the only place in the United States where you can see the striking pink cherry blossoms in the spring. Each year, Wooster Square Park bursts into bloom, and people gather for a picnic on the lawn.
The event has many food trucks to eat from, live music to enjoy, and beautiful foliage to gaze at throughout it. They also have an Italian Heritage Zone, where the Italian societies of New Haven gather to celebrate their culture, and a children’s zone.
The organizers recommend bringing a picnic blanket or chairs to sit on and pets if you wish to do so. The Cherry Blossom Festival takes place on April 6 this year from 12:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Wadsworth Mansion Spring Flower Festival
Similar to the Cherry Blossoms Festival, the Wadsworth Mansion Spring Flower Festival lasts one day and is a large celebration for everyone attending. The party offers catering for food trucks, including appearances from Cool Bri’ Smoothies and Frank’s Woodfired Pizza.
The event also features several live performances from local artists like Cash Lane Slim and other specialty activities, like Blue Moon Raptors, a nonprofit that rehabilitates injured birds and gives a live demonstration to show their work and how to help these creatures.
This year, the Spring Flower Festival operates on April 27 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., rain or shine, and is free to the public.
