10 Flower Festivals from around the world

10 Flower Festivals from around the world. Have you been watching coverage of the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show it is right on my doorstep and there is a real buzz around here but I thought I would share some of the other amazing floral extravaganzas around the world. Many flower shows incorporate cultural themes and historical elements, offering insights into the traditions and heritage of different regions as well as being visually stunning events where you can enjoy the beauty and diversity of flowers and plants. Flower shows often mark the changing seasons, celebrating the arrival of spring or the peak of summer blooms. Attending these shows can be a wonderful way to embrace and enjoy the seasonal beauty of nature. The vibrant colours, intricate designs, and artistic arrangements provide a feast for the eyes, making it a delightful experience and we all know spending time surrounded by nature and beautiful floral displays can be very relaxing and uplifting. 1. Keukenhof Gardens (Netherlands) Location: Lisse, Netherlands When: Late March to mid-May Highlights: Known as the "Garden of Europe," Keukenhof is one of the world's largest flower gardens, famous for its tulip displays. 2. Hanami (Japan) Location: Nationwide, with famous spots in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka When: Late March to early May Highlights: The cherry blossom festival, known as Hanami, involves picnicking under blooming cherry trees. Ueno Park in Tokyo and Maruyama Park in Kyoto are popular spots. 3. Feria de las Flores (Colombia) Location: Medellín, Colombia When: Late July to early August Highlights: This festival celebrates the region's flower industry with parades, concerts, and the iconic "Silleteros" parade, where people carry large flower arrangements on their backs. 4. Madeira Flower Festival (Portugal) Location: Funchal, Madeira When: Late April to early May Highlights: Featuring vibrant parades, flower carpets, and displays, this festival celebrates the blooming season on the island of Madeira. 5. Bloemencorso (Netherlands) Location: Different cities, with notable parades in Zundert and Lichtenvoorde When: Zundert (September), Lichtenvoorde (August) Highlights: These flower parades feature elaborate floats adorned with flowers, mainly dahlias, creating stunning and artistic displays. 6. Genzano Infiorata (Italy) Location: Genzano di Roma, Italy When: June Highlights: Known for its flower carpets, the Infiorata festival covers streets with intricate designs made from petals, celebrating the Feast of Corpus Christi. 7. Brussels Flower Carpet (Belgium) Location: Brussels, Belgium When: Every two years in August Highlights: The next festival will take place from August 15 to August 18, 2024. This biennial event transforms the Grand Place with a massive carpet made of over 500,000 begonias and dahlias, along with grass and bark, creating a vibrant and intricate design. The event also includes nightly sound and light shows, adding to the spectacle. 8. Portland Rose Festival (United States) Location: Portland, Oregon, USA When: June Highlights: This festival includes the Grand Floral Parade, a Starlight Parade, and various other events such as dragon boat races and concerts, all celebrating the bloom of roses. 9. Chiang Mai Flower Festival (Thailand) Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand When: February, but a similar Flower Festival Parade occurs in June Highlights: The June parade features floats decorated with a variety of flowers, traditional Thai dancers, and local handicrafts, celebrating the region's horticultural heritage. 10. Canadian Tulip Festival (Canada) Location: Ottawa, Canada When: June Highlights: While the main tulip festival is in May, June features the continuation of events and late-blooming varieties. It celebrates the historic gift of tulips from the Dutch Royal Family and features cultural performances and displays.

These festivals not only celebrate the beauty of flowers but also reflect cultural traditions and bring communities together.