Albany has announced its 78th Annual Tulip Festival, highlighting the City’s rich Dutch heritage and featuring an array of exciting and artistic activities across four live entertainment stages. The festival takes place Saturday, May 9th, and Sunday, May 10th, in Washington Park, presented by KeyBank.
Tulip Festival is Albany’s signature spring event that aims to bring people together, utilize public spaces, and support and celebrate local businesses. Held Mother’s Day weekend, along with musician performances, Tulip Festival will feature artisans with handmade crafts and art for purchase, delicious food vendors, a Kids Zone, and a wellness area with free classes and workshops, and also offers a Yogafest by The Hot Yoga Spot on Sunday, May 10th at 9:00am.
And of course, Tulip Festival will celebrate and showcase a wide range of distinctive artists. On Saturday, May 9th, on the ParkAlbany Main stage, performers such as The E-Block, a 4-piece R&B Band from Upstate New York; Grace Bowers, a 19-year-old award-winning guitarist and singer; and JoyWave, a band that utilizes a unique DIY work ethic keeping the grounded, will perform.
On the Toyota & WEXT 518 Stage, Keegan James, a queer pop artist, The Sugar Hold, a rock ‘n’ roll band, The Belle Curves, an Americana and folk-rock band, 97Otis, a rapper and poet, will perform on Saturday, May 9th.
Sunday, May 10th, will continue to feature and highlight many exciting artists. On the ParkAlbany Main Stage, Alex Torres Group, a multi-award winning musician, The ILL Funk Ensemble, a 90s and 2000s band, and the MJ Illusion, playing Michael Jackson, will perform throughout the day.
In addition, on Sunday, May 10th, on the Toyota and West 518 stage, Paintbrush Charlie, a pop-punk trio, Maggie Doherty, a skilled and soulful singer of many different genres, Top of the Trees, a rock and soul ensemble, and The Ky McClinton Band, a R&B, soul rock, and blues band, will perform.
Along with the exciting musical performances, the festival’s main activities feature the Tulip Queen Coronation Ceremony, the Tulip Queen Procession, and the Royal Tulip Ball on Saturday.
Tulip festival will also host the 27th Annual Capital Region’s Best Mom ceremony, where B95.5’s Chad O’Hara and other local officials will recognize the region’s most outstanding moms.
Multiple children’s activities will also be hosted throughout the weekend, including the Kidzone Market 32 Cares Stage, featuring continuous free entertainment for all ages. Andy “The Music Man,” a children’s musician focused on sing-a-longs, dancing, and storytelling, will perform. The Park Playhouse will also feature performances by the company, presenting tunes from Footloose, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and other Broadway Musicals.
The festival also focuses on wellness and self-care with its partnership with the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention on the Wellness Stage. This stage will feature Yoga, Zumba, AfroBeats, and belly dancing classes aimed at promoting self-love and care.
The 78th Annual Tulip Festival will no doubt offer a fun and exciting weekend for families and groups of all ages. More information can be found on the Tulip Festival Website. In addition, a full list of all events and activities offered throughout the weekend can be found below.
78th Annual Tulip Festival Details
Saturday, May 9 MUSIC AND SPECIAL EVENTS
11:30 am – The Mendelssohn Club (Lakehouse Stage)
11:45 am – Tulip Queen Procession – 2025 Tulip Queen Abigail Williams, Mayor Dr. Dorcey L. Applyrs, the Dutch Settlers Society, and UAlbany march with Great Danes to lead the 2026 Tulip Queen finalists to the Lakehouse Stage.
1:00pm – Keegan James ( Toyota and Wext 518 Stage)
12:00 pm – Tulip Queen Coronation (Lakehouse Stage)
1:30 pm – The E-Block performance (ParkAlbany Main Stage)
2:15 – The Sugar Hold (Toyota and Wext 518 Stage)
3:00 pm – Grace Bowers (ParkAlbany Main Stage)
3:30 pm – The Belle Curves (Toyota and Wext 518 Stage)
4:30 pm – Joywave (ParkAlbany Main Stage)
4:45 pm – 97Otis (Toyota and WEXT 518 Stage)
6:00 pm – Royal Tulip Ball (New York State Museum)
Sunday, May 10th MUSIC AND SPECIAL EVENTS
9:00 am – 10:00 am – The Hot Yoga Spot, “YogaFest” (Washington Park Grounds)
11:00am – 12:00 pm – 27th Annual Capital Regions Best Mom (Washington Lakehouse Stage)
1:00pm – PaintBrush Charlie (Toyota and Wext 518 Stage)
1:30 pm – Alex Torres Group (ParkAlbany Main Stage)
2:15 pm – Maggie Doherty (Toyota and Wext 518 Stage)
3:00 pm – The ILL Funk Ensemble (ParkAlbany Main Stage)
3:30 pm – Tops of Trees (Toyota and Wext 518 Stage)
4:30 pm – MJ The Illusion (ParkAlbany Main Stage)
4:45 pm – The KY Mcclinton Band (Toyota and Wext 518 Stage)
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
1:00 pm – 4:00pm – Andy “The Music Man”
2:00 pm – Park Playhouse
2:45-4:45 pm – Melvin the Magnificent
3:30 pm – 5:3 pm – Ruth Pelhan
WELLNESS STAGE by the American Foundation for Suicide prevention
11:00 am – Rhythm, Stretch & Vibes by Hettie Barnhill
12:00 pm – “Our Paths: In the Beginning” by Tsehaya and Co.
1:00 pm – Zumba presented by the YMCA
2:00 pm – AfroBeats presented by the YMCA
3:00 pm – Yoga by Jai Yoga School
4:00 pm – Bellydancing presented by Sisters of the Rising Moon
TULIP TOURS
Tulip Tours will be offered at the Washington Park Tulip Beds the week leading up to the Festival
Tuesday May 5: 11 am and 5 pm
Wednesday May 6: 11 am and 5 pm
Thursday May 7: 11 am and 5 pm
FRIDAY MAY 8TH
12:00 pm – Street Scrubbing (State and Lodge Streets)
1:00 pm – Tulip Festival Luncheon ( Hattie’s Culinary Lab)
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