As winter fades and the days grow warmer, spring brings a fresh wave of festivals, outdoor adventures, and cultural celebrations across the U.S. From breathtaking floral displays to world-famous music and food festivals, there’s no shortage of ways to embrace the season. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly outing, a food lover’s paradise, or a nature-filled getaway, these 20 springtime events are worth adding to your calendar.
1️⃣ National Cherry Blossom Festival (Washington, D.C.) 🌸
📅 March 20 – April 14, 2025
The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., is one of the most iconic spring events in the country. Celebrating the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Japan in 1912, this festival transforms the capital into a sea of pink and white blossoms.
🎟️ Highlights:
- The Blossom Kite Festival, where thousands of colorful kites fill the sky.
- The National Cherry Blossom Parade, featuring vibrant floats and performers.
- Evening fireworks over the Tidal Basin.
If you want the best views, visit during peak bloom (usually late March to early April) and take a scenic stroll around the Jefferson Memorial.
2️⃣ Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Indio, CA) 🎶
📅 April 11–13 & April 18–20, 2025
Coachella is the ultimate music festival, attracting top global artists and tens of thousands of fans to the California desert. Known for its cutting-edge fashion, massive art installations, and legendary performances, this event is a must for music lovers.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Performances by world-famous headliners and rising stars across multiple genres.
- Unique art installations and immersive experiences scattered throughout the festival grounds.
- Trendsetting fashion and celebrity sightings.
Tickets sell out fast, so if you’re planning to go, book early and be ready for triple-digit temperatures!
3️⃣ Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday (New Orleans, LA) 🎭
📅 March 23, 2025 (Tentative Date)
While Mardi Gras itself is a winter event, the Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday is a lesser-known but equally spectacular tradition that takes place in spring. This celebration features the beautifully handcrafted suits of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras Indian tribes, combining African, Caribbean, and Native American influences.
🎟️ Highlights:
- The stunning beaded and feathered suits, each taking months to create.
- A colorful parade with singing, chanting, and dancing through the streets.
- Live music featuring brass bands, funk, and soul.
Unlike the commercialized Mardi Gras parades, Super Sunday is deeply rooted in community and cultural tradition, making it one of the most authentic experiences in New Orleans.
4️⃣ Texas Bluebonnet Festival (Chappell Hill, TX) 🌿
📅 April 12–13, 2025
Spring in Texas means one thing—bluebonnet season. And there’s no better way to experience it than at the Texas Bluebonnet Festival, held in the charming town of Chappell Hill. With rolling fields of wildflowers as the backdrop, this festival celebrates the Lone Star State’s most beloved bloom.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Stunning bluebonnet fields perfect for photography and picnics.
- Over 250 vendors offering arts, crafts, and delicious Texas-style food.
- Live music, wine tastings, and a classic car show.
Arrive early for the best lighting if you’re planning to capture that perfect bluebonnet photo!
5️⃣ Tulip Time Festival (Holland, MI) 🌷
📅 May 3–11, 2025
You don’t have to travel to the Netherlands to see breathtaking tulip fields—just visit Holland, Michigan, in May! The Tulip Time Festival is a celebration of Dutch heritage and the arrival of spring, featuring millions of tulips blooming throughout the city.
🎟️ Highlights:
- The Tulip Time Parades, with Dutch dancers, floats, and marching bands.
- A visit to Windmill Island Gardens, home to an authentic 250-year-old Dutch windmill.
- Food markets featuring Dutch treats like poffertjes (mini pancakes).
With vibrant gardens, cultural performances, and family-friendly fun, Tulip Time is a picturesque way to welcome spring.
6️⃣ Cactus League Spring Training (Arizona) ⚾
📅 February – March 2025
Spring in Arizona means baseball fans flocking to the Cactus League Spring Training, where Major League Baseball teams warm up for the regular season. With 15 teams playing in stadiums across the Phoenix area, this is the perfect opportunity to catch a game in a relaxed, sunny setting.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Up-close access to MLB players during practices and games.
- Affordable tickets compared to regular-season MLB games.
- Laid-back atmosphere with smaller stadiums and family-friendly vibes.
If you love baseball, this is your chance to enjoy America’s pastime in perfect spring weather before the season officially begins.
7️⃣ The Masters Golf Tournament (Augusta, GA) ⛳
📅 April 7–13, 2025
One of the most prestigious events in sports, The Masters is a bucket-list experience for golf fans. Held at Augusta National Golf Club, this tournament is known for its pristine greens, blooming azaleas, and legendary competition.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Watching the world’s best golfers compete for the iconic green jacket.
- Walking through one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world.
- Enjoying the tradition-rich atmosphere, including famous pimento cheese sandwiches.
Tickets are notoriously hard to get, but if you’re lucky enough to attend, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
8️⃣ Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (Washington) 🌷
📅 April 1–30, 2025
For flower lovers, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington state is a breathtaking spectacle. Over a million tulips bloom across the region, creating a vibrant sea of colors against the backdrop of the Cascade Mountains.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Driving or biking through endless tulip fields.
- Visiting the Roozengaarde and Tulip Town gardens, home to thousands of tulip varieties.
- Photography workshops to help capture the perfect spring shot.
Since bloom times vary, it’s best to check the festival’s updates before visiting to catch peak colors.
9️⃣ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (New Orleans, LA) 🎷
📅 April 25 – May 4, 2025
If you love music, food, and culture, Jazz Fest in New Orleans is the ultimate spring experience. This legendary festival blends jazz, blues, gospel, Cajun, rock, and more, creating an unforgettable celebration of sound.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Massive lineups featuring world-famous artists and local talent.
- Mouthwatering Creole and Cajun cuisine, including crawfish étouffée and jambalaya.
- Parades and cultural exhibits showcasing Louisiana’s rich traditions.
Unlike the chaos of Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest is all about the music and food, making it a perfect way to experience New Orleans in the spring.
🔟 Great Smoky Mountains Synchronous Fireflies (Tennessee) ✨
📅 Late May – Early June 2025
One of nature’s most magical spring events happens deep in the Great Smoky Mountains, where thousands of fireflies synchronize their blinking patterns in a dazzling light show.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Rare, natural phenomenon that only occurs in a few places worldwide.
- Guided night hikes through the national park for the best viewing spots.
- A lottery-based permit system to keep the experience peaceful and crowd-free.
This event is incredibly popular, so plan ahead and enter the lottery early for a chance to witness this once-in-a-lifetime display of nature’s brilliance.
1️⃣1️⃣ National Park Week (Nationwide) 🏞️
📅 April 19–27, 2025
Spring is one of the best times to visit America’s breathtaking national parks, and during National Park Week, entrance fees are waived for all visitors! With pleasant weather, blooming wildflowers, and fewer crowds than summer, it’s the perfect time to explore.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Free admission to all U.S. national parks on select days.
- Special ranger-led programs, hikes, and wildlife tours.
- Spring wildflower blooms in parks like Great Smoky Mountains and Yosemite.
Whether you prefer hiking, photography, or just soaking in nature, this week is an excellent opportunity to experience the country’s most stunning landscapes.
1️⃣2️⃣ Portland Rose Festival (Portland, OR) 🌹
📅 May 24 – June 9, 2025
Nicknamed the “City of Roses,” Portland comes alive every spring with the Portland Rose Festival, a tradition dating back over 100 years. This event blends floral beauty with parades, live music, and waterfront celebrations.
🎟️ Highlights:
- The Grand Floral Parade, featuring stunning rose-covered floats.
- Dragon boat races on the Willamette River.
- The Starlight Parade, a nighttime spectacle of illuminated floats and performers.
Portland’s mild spring climate makes this festival the perfect excuse to visit and enjoy the city’s famous gardens, food scene, and outdoor culture.
1️⃣3️⃣ Fiesta San Antonio (San Antonio, TX) 🎊
📅 April 17–27, 2025
Texas knows how to throw a party, and Fiesta San Antonio is one of the most vibrant celebrations in the country. Originally started to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto, it has grown into an 11-day citywide festival packed with parades, music, and Texan culture.
🎟️ Highlights:
- The Battle of Flowers Parade, the only parade in the U.S. entirely planned by women.
- A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), featuring authentic Tex-Mex food and music.
- Fiesta Flambeau Parade, a dazzling illuminated parade with marching bands and floats.
With over 100 events across the city, Fiesta is the ultimate celebration of San Antonio’s rich heritage and lively spirit.
1️⃣4️⃣ Kentucky Derby Festival (Louisville, KY) 🏇
📅 April 13 – May 2, 2025
Before the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” at the Kentucky Derby, the city of Louisville hosts the Kentucky Derby Festival, a two-week-long celebration filled with excitement.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Thunder Over Louisville, one of the largest fireworks displays in the U.S.
- The Great Balloon Race, with dozens of colorful hot air balloons.
- The Pegasus Parade, a Kentucky Derby tradition featuring elaborate floats.
Even if you’re not into horse racing, the festival atmosphere, delicious Southern cuisine, and classic Derby fashion (big hats and mint juleps) make this a standout spring event.
1️⃣5️⃣ Boston Marathon (Boston, MA) 🏃♂️
📅 April 21, 2025
One of the world’s most famous races, the Boston Marathon is not just a sporting event—it’s a celebration of endurance, community, and history. Every Patriot’s Day, thousands of runners take on the legendary 26.2-mile course, while the city turns into a massive cheering section.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Watching elite runners compete in the world’s oldest annual marathon.
- Soaking in the electric atmosphere along the route.
- Experiencing Boston’s rich history, from Fenway Park to Freedom Trail.
Even if you’re not running, spectating along Heartbreak Hill or near the finish line on Boylston Street is an unforgettable experience.
1️⃣5️⃣ Boston Marathon (Boston, MA) 🏃♂️
📅 April 21, 2025
One of the world’s most famous races, the Boston Marathon is not just a sporting event—it’s a celebration of endurance, community, and history. Every Patriot’s Day, thousands of runners take on the legendary 26.2-mile course, while the city turns into a massive cheering section.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Watching elite runners compete in the world’s oldest annual marathon.
- Soaking in the electric atmosphere along the route.
- Experiencing Boston’s rich history, from Fenway Park to Freedom Trail.
Even if you’re not running, spectating along Heartbreak Hill or near the finish line on Boylston Street is an unforgettable experience.
🌷 Spring Adventures Continue!
With 15 events down, there are still 5 more incredible springtime celebrations to go. Stay tuned for the grand finale of this ultimate spring bucket list! 🌞🎉
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1️⃣6️⃣ Renaissance Pleasure Faire (Irwindale, CA) 🏰
📅 April 6 – May 19, 2025 (Weekends Only)
Step back in time at the oldest Renaissance fair in the U.S., held just outside Los Angeles. This festival is a massive celebration of medieval and fantasy culture, packed with costumed performers, jousting, and immersive experiences.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Full-contact jousting tournaments and sword-fighting displays.
- Handmade crafts, artisan markets, and period-accurate foods.
- Themed weekends featuring pirates, fairies, and Vikings.
Whether you dress up or just come for the turkey legs, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire is a must-visit for history buffs and fantasy lovers alike.
1️⃣7️⃣ Dogwood Arts Festival (Knoxville, TN) 🎨
📅 April 11–13, 2025
Spring in Knoxville means blooming dogwood trees, and the Dogwood Arts Festival is a vibrant celebration of art, culture, and nature in full bloom.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Outdoor art exhibits featuring regional and national artists.
- Guided dogwood trail tours through the city’s scenic neighborhoods.
- Live music, food vendors, and craft beer gardens.
The festival is a perfect blend of creativity and natural beauty, making it a fantastic spring getaway in the Smoky Mountains region.
1️⃣8️⃣ Bayou Country Superfest (Baton Rouge, LA) 🤠
📅 May 25–26, 2025
Country music fans won’t want to miss Bayou Country Superfest, a massive outdoor music festival featuring some of the biggest names in the industry. Held at LSU Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, this event draws thousands for a weekend of Southern hospitality and high-energy performances.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Headlining country stars performing in a massive stadium setting.
- Pre-festival tailgating and local Louisiana food vendors.
- Fireworks show to close out the weekend.
If you love country music and a lively festival atmosphere, this is one of the best ways to kick off summer.
1️⃣9️⃣ Mackinac Island Lilac Festival (Mackinac Island, MI) 🌿
📅 June 6–15, 2025
Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island is famous for its charming, car-free streets and stunning lilac blooms each spring. The Lilac Festival is a 10-day event celebrating this fragrant flower with parades, garden tours, and island traditions.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Horse-drawn carriage tours showcasing thousands of blooming lilacs.
- Lilac Queen coronation and a grand floral parade.
- Delicious island fudge, a Mackinac specialty.
Spring is the best time to visit this unique island, where the only way to get around is by bike, horse, or foot.
2️⃣0️⃣ Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Ashland, OR) 🎭
📅 March – October 2025
One of the most prestigious theater festivals in the country, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland brings world-class performances to a charming small town. Though it runs all year, spring is a fantastic time to visit before peak summer crowds arrive.
🎟️ Highlights:
- Stunning open-air performances at the famous Elizabethan Theatre.
- A mix of classic Shakespeare plays and modern works.
- Workshops, backstage tours, and meet-the-artist events.
Even if you’re not a Shakespeare buff, the town of Ashland offers stunning nature, boutique shopping, and a thriving arts scene, making it a perfect springtime escape.
🌸 Spring Has Sprung—Now Go Explore!
From flower festivals to music, sports, and cultural celebrations, spring in the U.S. is packed with unforgettable events. Whether you’re admiring cherry blossoms, cheering at the Boston Marathon, or enjoying live theater under the stars, there’s something for everyone.
So grab your calendar, plan a trip, and make the most of this vibrant season! 🌷🎉
