Festival of the Tulip and of Spring
Floats of petals and spring parades in Castiglione del Lago
About Festival of the Tulip
The festival that announces spring
The Festival of the Tulip and of Spring is one of the most beloved events in Castiglione del Lago, in the province of Perugia, and in the entire Lake Trasimeno area. Born in the seventies, it is a community festival that celebrates the arrival of the good season with parades, music, and an extraordinary bloom of colors.
Floats of petals
The heart of the festival are the allegorical floats, authentic ephemeral works of art created by the districts and groups of the town. Each float is covered with thousands of tulip petals — about a million in total — arranged to form figures and scenes that change every year according to a chosen theme. The parades cross the historic center and the lakefront, accompanied by musical groups and entertainment.
An ever-new theme
Each edition revolves around a theme: for 2026, the "Cartoon Edition" has been chosen, dedicated to the universe of cartoons, which inspires the decoration of the floats and the scenes. The festival thus combines popular tradition, artisanal creativity, and spectacle, in an event that attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Not just parades
Alongside the parades, the event offers gastronomic and cultural initiatives, with show cooking, tastings, and moments of in-depth discussion on the Trasimeno territory, slow tourism, and local history.
Festival of the Tulip — edition 2026
The 2026 edition, the 56th, takes place from April 24 to May 2 with the theme "Cartoon Edition": the allegorical floats, decorated with about a million tulip petals, bring the world of cartoons to life. The big new feature of the year is "The Night of the Tulip", scheduled for May 2: for the first time, an evening parade winds along the lakefront, amidst lights, reflections on the water, and artistic performances.
The GAL Arena also debuts, with events such as "Tulips and Flavors" (April 28) featuring show cooking and tastings, and moments of in-depth discussion on slow tourism and the history of the territory.
Programme Festival of the Tulip 2026
Parades of allegorical floats
- Saturday, April 25 — daytime parade in the historic center, from approximately 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM
- Sunday, April 26 — daytime parade in the historic center, from approximately 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday, May 2 — The Night of the Tulip: evening night parade along the lakefront, from approximately 6:30 PM to midnight, with lights and artistic performances
GAL Arena and side events
- April 28 — "Tulips and Flavors": show cooking and tastings
- Cultural moments of discussion on slow tourism and the history of the Trasimeno territory
Theme of the 2026 edition: Cartoon Edition. The floats are decorated with about a million tulip petals.
Highlights Festival of the Tulip 2026
Prices Festival of the Tulip 2026
Practical information — Festival of the Tulip
How to get there
Castiglione del Lago (PG) is located on Lake Trasimeno. By car from the Bettolle-Perugia junction (exit Tuoro or Castiglione); by train, the Castiglione del Lago station is on the Florence-Rome line.
Tickets
Admission to the float parades is charged: adults €10, children aged 13-17 €5, free for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased online and at the ticket offices at the entrance to the historic center.
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Where does it take place — Festival of the Tulip
Centro storico e lungolago
Centro storico, 06061 Castiglione del Lago