Everywhere in the northern hemisphere, spring is celebrated with floral exhibitions, plant markets, parades and corsos, shows and flower battles. From the French Riviera to Japan, from mimosa to cherry trees, here is our selection of the most beautiful flower festivals. Add color to your travels…

Mimosa on the French Riviera

On the French Riviera, it is not a swallow that makes spring, but the mimosa that flowers… from winter! And for good reason, this tree, known for its yellow buttons, has the distinction of having a winter flowering, from the month of January and until the beginning of March. We celebrate it in February in Sainte-Maxime and Bormes-les-Mimosas.

It is the flowered corso of Lavandou (Sunday March 8, 2020), one of the largest gatherings on the Var coast, which opens the ball of spring festivals. About twenty decorated floats – mimosa of course – parade on the seaside. Each one is decorated with 8,000 to 25,000 fresh flowers! The parade advances with great reinforcements of majorettes, musicians and brass bands. A giant flower battle ends the festivities.

Cherry blossoms in Japan

A major event throughout Japan, the flowering of cherry trees (sakura) is as pink as it is fleeting. It occurs between late March and mid-May, usually early April. It gives rise to large picnics sprinkled with sake in the parks and gardens. We indulge in hanami, an ancestral tradition which consists in admiring the beauty of flowers, installed on blankets, in the sparse shade of cherry trees.

This flowering even takes on the air of festivals with plant markets, dances … This phenomenon symbolizes the renewal of spring, the beauty and impermanence of things.

To see life in pink, head to Ueno Park, in Tokyo, which was particularly popular during this period. We arrive early to reserve our location. Just a clarification: the cherry trees in Ueno Park do not produce cherries.

Flowering is also celebrated in Kyoto with Miyako Odori, the dance of the cherry trees. The Maruyama park is then one of the favorite places of the inhabitants. It is also the time to see geishas and maiko (young geisha apprentices) dancing in the streets and tea houses of the Gion district. Classical dance is available in all its forms.

International flower exhibition at the Keukenhof (Netherlands)

Nearly 7 million bulbs, including 4.5 million tulips of 100 different varieties, 2,500 trees of 87 species, all planted on 32 hectares: the Keukenhof (photo) is one of the largest gardens in the world, and certainly the largest bulb park on the planet.

In spring, he celebrates his floral treasure: the tulip. Each year, it puts a country in the spotlight; the 2020 edition runs from March 21 to May 10, 2020.

On the program, festivities and flowers as if it were raining floral exhibitions by species, weekend of summer bulbs, “typically British” weekend, but also Easter celebrations, Dutch folklore festivals, choirs’ sailors, barrel organs. Do not miss the flower parade (Saturday, April 25, 2020): this is the bouquet of this international exhibition!

Flower Festival in Madeira

It is not for nothing that Madeira is nicknamed “the island of flowers”. Cradled by the mildness of its subtropical climate, it offers a breeding ground for thousands of species, many of which are endemic. And it is quite natural that the island pays tribute to this heritage with the flower festival (from April 30 to May 24, 2020).

Floats overflowing with flowers take over the streets of Funchal. On Saturday morning, children parade to Praça do Município. They build in front of the town hall a wall of flowers, symbolically named “Wall of Hope”. Sunday is the highlight of the festivities: a large parade of floats presents floral compositions made with flowers typical of the island.

On the sidelines of the event, fun activities are planned: flower market, creation of a carpet of flowers and flower sculptures, decoration of shop windows, floral exhibition at the Largo da Restauração, folk shows and concerts.

Chelsea Flower Show in London

One of the most famous floral shows in the world! Each year, the Chelsea Royal Hospital is transformed into a botanical garden. It then shelters the most beautiful flowers in the world: medicinal plants, rare plants, and even edible plants.

The Chelsea Flower Show (from 19 to 23 May 2020) provides exhibitions and floral demonstrations presented by the fine flower of British botany, and floral displays. These floralies celebrated their centenary in 2013.

Battle of Flowers in Saint-Hélier (Jersey)
This flower festival is the major event in Jersey, the highlight of the summer calendar since 1902. It provides for two parades of floats collapsing under the flowers: the Grand Parade (Thursday August 13, 2020 at 2:30 p.m.), is accompanied by musicians and of dancers, and the Moonlight Parade (Friday August 14, 2020 at 9 p.m.) lights up the streets of Saint Helier in the moonlight. The organizers promise a “floral extravagance”!

The great battle of flowers takes on the appearance of a carnival in the middle of August. Madness guaranteed! Please note, tickets must be purchased in advance.

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