Guide to Woodburn’s Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

Tulips, Emily Iverson says, are fussy. The 26-year-old would know: As a third-generation member of the family that owns Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, Iverson grew up among these blooms. Even as a child, she fluffed flowers for the annual festival, which turns 41 this year.

“They’re just a little finicky,” says Iverson, now a manager for the Woodburn farm. “They’re too wet, they won’t grow. They’re too dry, they abort. They like the perfect conditions.”

This year, the tulips are a little behind. Cold weather in January and February pushed back bloom time compared to 2024, but early-blooming tulips are expected to begin opening by March 21. Peak bloom should fall around mid-April, which is the most popular time to visit these 40 acres of rainbow rows and their casually stunning Mount Hood backdrop.

Want to see these beauties for yourself? Here’s what you need to know.

What’s the story behind the festival?

The Iverson family’s farm dates to 1950, when Ross and Dorothy Iverson—Emily’s grandparents—purchased this plot of land in Woodburn, about 30 miles south of Portland. They began planting tulips in 1974 after receiving bulbs from an Indiana farmer; 10ish years later (family accounts vary), they welcomed the public. Today, the farm is Oregon’s largest tulip producer, and the festival attracts about 100,000 visitors annually.

When does it happen?

The fest generally begins in late March and runs through the end of April. (This year, it wraps on April 27.) Peak bloom tends to occur in mid-April, but the Iversons plant more than 100 varieties, which open at different times over the course of the season (a $70 season pass is available for those who wish to check in regularly). Find bloom status updates on the farm’s website.

Why tulips?

We can thank the climate of the Pacific Northwest, with a cool spring that allows tulips to bloom slowly, followed by a summer warm enough for the bulbs to dry out. Our rich soil doesn’t hurt, either.

What’s there to do at the festival?

Do not underestimate the sheer visual impact of these blooms, from the bubblegum Pink Impression to the red and yellow fringes of the Fabio to the purple-black Queen of the Night, which Iverson says is a fan favorite. (Least popular? Yellow.) Cutout boards for goofy photo-ops speckle the fields, and you’ll find carnival rides, food vendors, and wooden shoe–making demonstrations (as well as classes, for the deeply committed). If weather allows, Portland Rose Balloons offers hot-air balloon flights: free-flying at sunrise, tethered during the day. For a tipple among the tulips, join a guided tour of Wooden Shoe Vineyards.

In a new initiative for 2025, glasses specifically designed for those with color vision deficiency (a.k.a. color blindness) will be available for checkout. They come in a few styles, with different sizes to fit both adults and kids.

What do I need to know about tickets?

Tickets are available online only, and entry is timed (though once you’re in, you can stay till closing). Weekend dates can sell out, so swing a midweek visit if you can.