Each spring, Lewes transforms into a colorful display of flowers as the Lewes Tulip Celebration returns to mark the start of the season. 

The 17th annual event will take place from April 1st through April 19th, bringing thousands of blooming tulips, community activities, and opportunities to explore the town’s history. 

Organized by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Lewes in Bloom, the celebration highlights Lewes’ Dutch heritage and encourages people to discover the many tulip displays planted throughout the historic district.

Thousands of Tulips Planted Across Lewes

This year’s celebration will feature an impressive display of more than 31,000 tulips along with 5,000 additional spring bulbs planted throughout the city. 

The flowers are spread across more than 20 locations, creating colorful viewing spots across the historic commercial district and surrounding areas.

Because tulip blooms depend heavily on weather conditions, organizers note that predicting exactly when the flowers will reach peak bloom is difficult. 

Warmer or colder temperatures leading up to the celebration can shift the timing of when the tulips appear.

Image Generated by AI

How to Find the Tulip Displays

The Tiptoe To The Tulips Map will be available in late March and serves as a guide for exploring the tulip displays throughout Lewes.

You can pick up the map at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, inside the historic Fisher Martin House in Zwaanendael Park. 

They are open Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm.

More copies will also be available in brochure boxes around the historic commercial district, making it easy for visitors to grab a map while walking through town.

The Tiptoe To The Tulips Map includes:

• Locations of more than 20 tulip planting sites
• Information about the different areas where bulbs were planted
• A schedule of events connected to the celebration
• With the map in hand, visitors can explore Lewes at their own pace while stopping at the various flower displays throughout town.

Image Generated by AI

The Tulip Sale is Already Scheduled 

One of the popular events connected to the celebration is the annual tulip sale organized by Lewes in Bloom.

The sale will take place on April 18th at the Bank Street Plaza on Second Street from 10am to 4pm, or until they sell out.

The sale gives you the opportunity to bring into your home some of the blooms that helped decorate Lewes during the celebration.

History in Bloom Walking Tours

Another highlight of the celebration is the History in Bloom walking tour, a collaboration between Historic Lewes and Lewes in Bloom.

The tours will take place on April 12th at three different times:

• 10:30am
• 12:30pm
• 2:30pm

Each tour will begin at the Historic Lewes main campus located at 110 Shipcarpenter Street.

During the walk, a historic guide will share stories about Lewes’ maritime past, and a representative from Lewes in Bloom will point out the different tulip varieties planted around town.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under.

Image Generated by AI

A Spring Tradition Celebrating Lewes’ Dutch Roots

The Lewes Tulip Celebration has grown into a beloved spring tradition in Coastal Delaware, which reflects the town’s connection to its Dutch heritage and its historic character.

For more information about the celebration, visitors are encouraged to contact the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at (302) 645-8073.

If you enjoy discovering events, seasonal celebrations, and local happenings around Coastal Delaware, be sure to follow our blog!

Have any questions about our blog(s), the Coastal Delaware real estate market, or local life in our beautiful beach towns? Do you think there is something we should write about? Did you see an event coming up that we should know about? Shoot us an email at [email protected] or give us a call at (302) 212-0074. We would love to hear from you!

Source: Lewes Chamber of Commerce