Lewes to host annual Tulip Celebration starting April 1
The 17th annual Lewes Tulip Celebration, jointly sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Lewes in Bloom, will blossom from Wednesday, April 1 to Sunday, April 19.
This year’s celebration is dedicated to Warren Golde, Lewes in Bloom founder, who recently stepped down from his leadership of the organization. Golde and event founder Ted Becker coordinated the planting of 5,000 tulips 18 years ago. The organizing committee is chaired by Lewes in Bloom Co-chair Ed Zygmonski and includes the other two Lewes in Bloom co-chairs, and representatives from Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission, Lewes Chamber of Commerce, Zwaanendael Museum and Historic Lewes. This year, Lewes in Bloom funded the purchase of 33,000 tulips and spring bulbs that were planted in fall 2025 by 150 LIB volunteers.
The timing of the tulips’ appearance is an inexact science, and either milder or colder weather in advance of the event dates can affect the tulips’ blooming stages. The event dates span three weekends, and more than 100 varieties will be on display.
The Tiptoe To The Tulips Map will be available in late March at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in the historic Fisher-Martin House in Zwaanendael Park. The visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Maps will also be available at brochure boxes throughout the historic commercial district. The map lists more than a dozen locations where bulbs were planted, and it also has a schedule of tulip celebration activities.
Lewes in Bloom will be selling tulips from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until they sell out), Friday, April 3, at the Bank Street Plaza on Second Street.
Historic Lewes and Lewes in Bloom will partner to offer walking tours at 10:30 a.m., and 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12, starting from the Historic Lewes main campus at 110 Shipcarpenter St. The tours will be led by a historic guide and provide information on Lewes’ rich maritime history. A guide from Lewes in Bloom will point out the multiple tulip varieties found around Lewes.
Learn more at historiclewes.org.
