Each spring, more than 60,000 tulips transform downtown Myriad Botanical Gardens into a vibrant display of color. This year, the annual Tulip Festival expands to a full week—Saturday, March 28 through Sunday, April 5—giving visitors more time to experience one of Oklahoma City’s most anticipa ted seasonal traditions. Tulips bloom on their own schedule, guided by weather rather than the calendar. By planting bulbs in phases, garden horticulturists create a staggered bloom, ensuring the landscape evolves throughout the festival and offers something new with each visit. Tulips, Art and Dutch Heritage Alongside the blooms, the festival features a mix of cultural and educational experiences both outdoors and inside the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory. New this year is The Journey of the Tulip, an exhibit from the Netherlands tracing the flower’s path from Central Asia to Europe, where it became a cultural and economic phenomenon. The installation is featured throughout the Gardens and Conservatory. Inside the Crystal Bridge, the Tulipmania exhibit showcases work from 33 local artists, adding a creative, Oklahoma-driven perspective to the celebration. A Dutch-style windmill installation also offers a scenic photo opportunity for visitors. Weekend Festivities Festival energy peaks on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with vendor markets, live music in partnership with the Oklahoma City Arts Council, and a rotating lineup of local food trucks. Curbside Flowers will be onsite each weekend selling fresh-cut tulips and festival merchandise. Midweek Experiences Weekday programming offers a slower way to enjoy the blooms. On Tuesday, March 31, Lunch Among the Tulips invites guests to dine outdoors from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with food trucks along Sheridan Avenue and picnic seating across the lawn. Holland Happy Hour follows on Thursday, April 2, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., offering after-hours access to the Conservatory. Tickets include admission and one beverage. Pricing is $25, or $20 for Myriad Gardens members. A Growing Spring Tradition Supported by partners including Devon Energy, the Tulip Festival continues to grow as a signature spring event in Oklahoma City. With an extended schedule, immersive exhibits, and thousands of blooms at their peak, the festival offers a chance to experience the city in full bloom. The post Myriad Gardens Expands Tulip Festival appeared first on Oklahoma Gazette. ...read more read less