Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is the best way to see tulip fields in the Portland, Oregon area. The festival is held annually at Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, in Woodburn, OR, on a 40 acre farm full of tulips. The Wooden Shoe Farm is an amazing place to see tulip fields during the spring and is well worth the visit (or the day trip from Portland)!
Since we missed out on going to the Netherlands the previous spring, I did my due diligence to make sure I didn’t lose out on the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival! (We chose to go to Paris instead of Amsterdam, could ya blame us?) But because of this, I was literally dying to see some tulips! I mean, how could you not, especially when you had learned (afterwards) while visiting Amsterdam that tulip bulbs were the reason behind the economic crash during the Dutch Golden Age.
Fun Fact: Tulips were originally from central Asia but didn’t find popularity until they reached the Netherlands.
I made sure to visit Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival on my next trip to Portland! You’ll find out in this post how it’s an amazing stop if you’re traveling to Portland on a weekend (or for a few days), it’s especially great for a half-day or day trip from Portland.
Love seeing beautiful fields of flowers? Check out the Pageo Lavender Farm in California.
Everything You Need to Know About the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival 2024
The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm is a gorgeous tulip farm in Woodburn, Oregon, less than 1 hours drive away from Portland, Oregon. It’s the perfect place for a family outing, a date, or even a hangout with friends!
The Story Behind the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
The farm began as a family farm in the 1950s, but they only started using the farm for tulips in 1974. After accumulating neighboring parcels of farmland numbering over 15 acres, the Wooden Shoe Bulb Company officially came to fruition.
In 1985, they opened their fields to the public for the first time on Easter weekend. This was the beginning of the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. And in 2001, the farm changed their name to reflect their new beginnings as the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm. Today, the farm spans over 40 acres with tulip fields, vineyards, and more!
Learn About Tulip Farming
Tulips are planted in October within raised rows, this prevents the tulips from drowning during wet weather. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm uses machines imported from the Netherlands to plant the bulbs in neat rows, the machinery can plant bulbs in 2 rows at a time.
Another machine is used to dig up the bulbs, this is done on an annual basis and helps to keep the plants on a five year rotation. Crop rotation is important to ensure that the tulips remain healthy and disease-free. This also helps with potential pests and to control weed & erosion.
Fun Fact: Tulips only bloom for 3 to 7 days in the spring.
The flowers are picked by hand beginning in late March, this helps prevent the spread of disease and keeps the blooms healthy. To maintain the freshness of the flowers, they are washed in the barn and immediately wrapped with cellophane for upright and cold storage in water.
After the tulip festival ends, the remaining flower heads are removed and the dead stems are harvested in June.
Looking for other tulip festivals? Check out Everything You Need to Know About the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon, WA.
Where to Stay When Attending Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Though close to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, Woodburn has more of a small town vibe so it doesn’t have the variety of lodging options found in Portland. I’ve handpicked a few options below for Woodburn and Portland, keep in mind that Portland is still approximately 45 minutes drive away from Woodburn so if you’re visiting around sunrise it might still be a good idea to stay in Woodburn for the night.
Best Western Woodburn Inn is a cute motel in Woodburn. Their rooms are fairly modern yet cozy and feature a microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, and hair dryer in room. Additional amenities include free parking, hot tub, swimming pool, and gym.
Reserve your room at Best Western Woodburn Inn.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Portland-Downtown Convention Center is a great place to stay in Portland! Their rooms are cozy with comfortable beds. Location-wise it is located a short bus ride away from downtown and the Pearl District. All of the rooms include free wifi, microwave, Keurig machine, and a mini-fridge. They also offer a free airport shuttle service.
Stay at Crowne Plaza Hotel Portland-Downtown Convention Center.
McMenamins Kennedy School is one of my favorite places to stay in Portland, it’s a repurposed and once abandoned elementary school with tons of things to do in hotel. It isn’t JUST a hotel since it has a lot of cool amenities including an in-house brewery, bar, gift shop, restaurants, pool, and even a movie theater. Per its original purpose, the rooms and decor invoke a sense of nostalgia and makes you feel like you’re still in school.
Check availability at McMenamins Kennedy School!
Things to Do at Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
What else would you do at a tulip festival aside from explore and meander through the flower fields for beautiful photo ops?
Well, in the case of the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, there are other activities offered during this special event.
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Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival Activities & Dining
There are tons of things to do at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, included in the general admission costs are the beautiful views of tulip fields, tram and/or hay wagon ride, children’s play area, and photo cut-out boards.
I saw visitors riding on the tram between the main tulip field and main building, it’s a great way to provide more accessibility to guests who may not be able to walk as far. Personally I wouldn’t have taken it since I enjoyed walking through the fields. But it would also be a great way to transport your kids back towards the end of the day.
Even on the weekdays there are quite a few dining options, the Mt. Angel Sausage Company is there serving food from a stall, as well as Loco Ono BBQ and Alotta Wood Fired Pizza. I personally didn’t eat at the festival so I can’t confirm if it’s good or not. But I’d say it’s definitely worth a try since there aren’t too many other options in the area.
Fun Fact: Tulip petals are edible and can be used in place of onions in many types of recipes.
For the kids, there are so many things to do there that will keep your child entertained, from the kids play area to the activities, demonstrations and more.
On the weekends, there are even more kid-friendly activities at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm! These include:
- Wooden Shoe Making Demonstrations
Located at the Wooden Shoe Maker tent, you can watch a demo on creating wooden shoes! - Crafter Market Place
Do some shopping and explore some of these stalls! - Balloon Artist
Located near the kids play area, they invite someone to create balloon figures for kids! - Meet Tulip the Cow
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm’s Tulip the Cow mascot wanders around the tulip fields offering hugs and photo ops to everyone.
Enjoy visiting farms with animals? Cuddle baby goats at Harley Goat Farms!
They also offer additional activities at a cost, these include:
- Cow Train: $3 per person
This ride lasts 6 minutes and can be a bumpy ride around the tulip field. Note that this is weather dependent and sometimes can also be a bit muddy. - Field Train: $5 per person
This train is slower, taking you on a cushioned ride lasting between 10 and 15 minutes through the tulip fields. This ride is also weather dependent. - Kids Games & Activities: $3-7 per person dependent upon activity
These can include bounce houses, bungee jumper, pony rides, rock climbing wall, and even a zip line! Note that the ponies can only carry a maximum of 80lbs.
Sometimes on the weekends when the weather cooperates, hot air balloonists also show up, whisking visitors away on hot air balloon rides! These rides typically occur in early in the morning and are available at an additional fee. For more information, check out the festival’s Facebook or website for latest updates on the offerings.
Is seeing a hot air balloon festival on your bucket list? Check out this post on a hot air balloon festival in northern California!
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm Gift Shop
Peruse the gift shop for some cute tulip-themed souvenirs, from tulip pens to tulip calendars, coasters, floral decorations, and more! You’ll be able to find something here for your tulip-loving friend!
Be sure to also take home a bouquet of freshly cut tulips or even tulip bulbs if you’ve got green thumbs!
Wooden Shoe Vineyards
If you love wine, you can also head over to the Wooden Shoe Vineyards Tasting Room for some of their homegrown wines or local beer and cider. Tour tickets can be can be purchased online beginning March 1, 2022.
All tours include all-day entry for one individual along with a wine farm tour at the scheduled ticket time. During the tour, you will gain family history, wine knowledge and tour the tulip fields with a guided member of our farm, while drinking Wooden Shoe Vineyards wine of course. The guide will stop along the way, describe the wine and allow you to enjoy the tulips and make memories.
Wine Wagon Tours typically run on Saturdays, Sundays, and some Mondays and Fridays. They are only available for adults aged 21 and up and there are a few tour options.
- Estate Wine Tour
This 45 minute farm tour experience takes you around the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm property and includes estate wine tastings and pairings. The tour also includes a wine traveler mug. - Light Wine Tour
For white wine lovers, this 45 minute farm tour starts you off with a mimosa before taking you around the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm with white wine tastings and pairings. This tour comes with a hat and a wine traveler mug. - Red Wine Tour
Lovers of red wine will love this tour! In 45 minutes, you’ll get a farm tour of the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm property, red wine tasting and pairings, a sweatshirt and a wine traveler mug.
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival 2024 General Information
Due to the weather of the Pacific Northwest, the tulip festival usually occurs annually between late March and late April or early May. In 2024, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival dates are set for March 22 to May 5. As of January 23, 2024, ticketing information is not yet available. In prior years, tickets were only available online to minimize crowds and allow for everyone to enjoy the fields, we will update with more information as it is available. Currently only season passes are available online for $55 per person.
Keep in mind that dates can change depending on the weather and how the bulbs are doing, in 2018 the festival was even extended an additional week! See Field Report for updated schedule.
As the dates change, this post will be continually updated to reflect them. Sometimes the festival will be extended depending on how the tulips are doing!
Fun Fact: There are over 150 species of tulips with over 3,000 unique varieties. They can also be found in almost any color.
2024 Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival Dates
Friday, March 22 through Sunday, May 5
Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday – Sunday, 8:00am – 7:00pm
Sunrise entry – 5:00am-7:00am
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival Admission for 2024
Note: Pricing for 2024 is not available yet, but we’ve included the details from 2023.
Tickets can only be purchased online through Ticketspice and are unavailable at the gate.
Cost of admission also includes parking, no need to pay separately here!
The best thing about all of these tulip festival ticket options is that you can pick what works best for you!
All day passes for 2023 will be limited and only available 7 days prior to the visit date.
Note that all tickets are timed and you can only enter within the hour that you’ve selected at purchase. However once you enter the tulip festival there is no time limit.
- Individual Weekday Pass: $15 (+ service fees) per person for adults (age 13+)
Includes admission for one person on a weekday.
There is no time limit for after you’ve entered and you can stay until 6pm.
Certain activities may not be available Monday through Friday. - Individual Senior Weekday Pass: $10 (+ service fees) per person for adults (age 65+)
Includes admission for one person on a weekday.
There is no time limit for after you’ve entered and you can stay until 6pm.
Certain activities may not be available Monday through Friday. - Individual Weekend Pass: $20 (+ service fees) per person for adults (age 13+)
Includes admission for one person on the weekend.
All activities are available on Saturdays and Sundays, though hot air balloons may be weather dependent. - Weekday Family Car Pass: $40 (+ service fees) per car
Perfect for groups of 3 or more with adults (age 13+) as it includes admission for everyone in the car.
There is no time limit for after you’ve entered and you can stay until 6pm.
Certain activities may not be available Monday through Friday. - Weekend Family Car Pass: $55 (+ service fees) per car
Perfect for groups of 3 or more with adults (age 13+) as it includes admission for everyone in the car.
There is no time limit for after you’ve entered and you can stay until 6pm.
All activities are available on Saturdays and Sundays, though hot air balloons may be weather dependent. - Children Age 12 and under: FREE
- Individual Sunrise Ticket: $25 (+ service fees) per person
Early admission is perfect for photographers, visit the tulip fields 1 hour before sunrise!
Includes admission for a single day during prime early morning time.
Admission begins between 5am and 7am.
Certain activities may not be available until 9am. - Individual Season Pass: $55 (+ service fees) per person
This pass includes unlimited admission throughout the duration of the festival and allows admission for a single person.
It also includes early entrance, beginning one hour before sunrise (5am) and late exit until one hour after sunset.
This is great for people wanting to make multiple visits outside of high traffic times.
Everything included in the cost of admission:
- Parking is free!
- Tram and hay wagon (with social distancing, sanitation, and adherence to safety guidelines)
- Access to the beautiful 40-acre tulip field
- 100 acres of outdoor space
- 2022 tulip bulb catalog and brochure at request
- 4-acre event garden
- 2 complementary wine tastings from Wooden Shoe Vineyards
For other farm field experiences, check out our post on Swanton Berry Farm u-pick near San Francisco, CA.
Helpful Tips for Visiting the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in 2023
Tulip fields can be so beautiful during the spring, but what are some things you should know prior to visiting?
Here are some tips for visiting the Wooden Shoe Farm:
- Be prepared for rain!
Though my photos look beautiful with sunny weather, that is not always the case. The weather in the Pacific Northwest can be unpredictable, meaning it can be rainy most of the time. Definitely bring an umbrella or rain jacket if you’re planning on visiting the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm as you will be exposed to the elements in the tulip fields. - The fields can be muddy and uneven.
Wear shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty, especially if it’s been raining the fields can be a bit muddy. Also closed toed shoes are probably safer for your feet while in the fields though I did see people wearing flip flops. For this reason, the tulip fields may be difficult for wheelchair accessibility. - You can bring Fido!
As long as it’s on a leash, well behaved dogs are welcome in the fields. I definitely saw a few puppies and dogs amongst the tulips, they were super cute. - Visit the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival on a weekend!
If you can, definitely try to visit the tulip festival during the weekend. There are more activities offered that are great for children as well as more food options. There are also special activities for adults involving wine! See activities schedule for more information. - Don’t forget to buy some fresh cut tulips!
Beginning mid-March, fresh cut tulips are available at the Gift Shop. The tulips are picked when the buds are still closed so that they can remain beautiful and bloom for a few days after you bring them home! The cut flowers can survive without water for up to 8 hours and can take between 1 to 3 days to bloom. - Bring your camera!
Aside from taking photos of and within the amazing tulip fields, there are plenty of photo opportunities and photo spots. There’s a platform where you can see the tulip fields from above as well as cutouts where you can stick your head in and take a photo. They’re perfect for some cute shots of your kids! - Purchase your tickets in advance if you’re visiting on the weekend.
Weekends can be busy and we recommend buying your tickets in advance so you’re not holding up the entrance.
The Best Time to Visit the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in 2024
Typically, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn, OR runs through the month of April however depending on weather the actual dates may change. For example, in 2018, the tulip blooms remained at the end of the month so the Wooden Shoe Tulip festival was extended into the first week of May. In 2024, it seems like the season will be ending later due to the rain so the festival dates are already announced to end on May 5.
Usually during the first week, the blooms are still mostly closed, but they will be visible. The best time to visit the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is during the middle of the month if weather permits, the blooms aren’t too closed nor are they too open and you’ll be in for a beautiful treat!
Towards the end of the tulip festival, many of the fields have already wilted and many of tulips will be very wide open. Still, the tulips will be beautifully colorful and it’s still worth a visit!
How to Get to Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn, OR
Address
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm & Vineyard
33814 S. Meridian Rd
Woodburn, OR 97071
Website
Driving Directions to Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is one of the easiest spots to visit on a day trip from PDX. Located near Portland (Oregon), the tulip festival can be easily accessed by car.
Drive to Woodburn via I-5 South and take Exit 282A. From there, head south on Hubbard Cutoff Rd which turns into 99E towards Woodburn for 10 miles. At the first traffic light in Woodburn, turn left onto Hwy 211-E towards Molalla. Then continue for 3.6 miles, turn right on S. Meridian Road. Take this road for 2 miles, look for signs saying “Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm” and the farm will be on your left.
Want to explore beautiful tulip fields near Portland, Oregon? Pin this for later!
5 Comments
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I read about Dig Day in the AAA magazine. But I can’t find any information on your website. How can I find out what and when it is, costs, etc.?
Hi Wendell,
We’re travel bloggers and not operators of Dig Day nor do we work with Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, but a quick Google search came up with this link: https://www.woodenshoe.com/shop/tickets/tulip-fest/dig-day/
Looks like it might be sold out, but hope that helps!
Wow, the photos of the tulip fields are just stunning! I’ve always wanted to visit the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, and now I’m even more excited after seeing your post. Thanks for sharing!
Love the photos of the tulip fields! I’ve always wanted to visit the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, it looks like a stunning display of color. Thanks for sharing this update!