La Conner Daffodil Festival 2026: A Guide for Seattle-Area Families

A sure sign of spring: the green stems of daffodils popping up through the once frost-laden ground. It’s always a joy to see their little yellow blooms opening up, like smiling faces to welcome sunshine and warmer weather.

Skagit Valley in particular truly comes alive this time of year. The La Conner Daffodil Festival celebrates the return of spring, with hundreds of acres of blooming daffodil fields. While Mother Nature determines when the flowers are in full bloom, the festival runs from March 1–31.

So there’s no need to wait for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in April if you’re ready to welcome spring and see gorgeous flowers. The La Conner Daffodil Festival is worth the trek.

Take a scenic drive and visit a farm

There are five daffodil stops on the festival’s Bloom Map, so you can plan for a scenic drive throughout Skagit County to see the yellow flowers in bloom against a mountainous backdrop.

Two farms in particular — Tulip Valley Farms and RoozenGaarde — welcome visitors with special experiences.

Tulip Valley Farms, Mount Vernon

If you’re hoping to pick your own bouquet of daffodils to take home, set your sights on Tulip Valley Farms. It’s the only U-pick daffodil experience offered during the festival (though there are other ways to purchase both blooms and bulbs). The farm fields include 16 daffodil varieties, with more than 450,000 daffodil bulbs planted ahead of this year’s festival. The flowers are planted with wide, walkable rows between them so you can fully immerse yourself in the fields.

Adding to the farm experience, there will be micro mini Highland cows visiting from Compact Cattle Co. These sweet farm animals love to greet visitors and munch on tulip petals. The farm allows well-behaved, leashed dogs. Visit on March 14 to join the pet parade with a special guest, Antonio the capybara.

The farm shop offers merchandise, including a charming children’s book about Andrew, Tulip Valley Farms’ colorblind tulip farmer.

Tickets: General admission costs $8; admission with a 10-stem bouquet is $18; a combo ticket for admission to the Daffodil Festival and April’s Tulip Festival is $45. Taxes and fees apply.
Hours: Open Wednesday–Sunday, March 6–30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: 5245 Bradshaw Rd., Mount Vernon

RoozenGaarde, Mount Vernon

RoozenGaarde, an outdoor garden and working farm, has a gift shop that is open daily year-round. Visitors can shop for garden decor, flower bulbs and more garden-themed merchandise.

Over 50 acres of fields at the farm are filled with tulips and daffodils, and the 7-acre display garden adds sweet-smelling hyacinths and other specialty flowers in the mix. The farm extends its hours and charges admission during the spring bloom.

We visited last year toward the end of March and delighted in seeing the daffodils in full bloom.

Tickets: Admission is charged during the spring bloom to access the display garden and fields. Early-season pricing has not yet been announced. 
Hours: RoozenGaarde’s gift shop is open daily. Current hours are Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Location: 15867 Beaver Marsh Rd., Mount Vernon

Additional stops and ways to purchase daffodils

Several fields on the Bloom Map are meant to be viewed from the road, as they are commercial production fields that cannot accommodate visitors. Still, it’s not uncommon to see festivalgoers park along the street and get out of their cars to get a closer look at the fields. Be sure to exercise caution if you choose to do this. It’s important to follow all signage and be respectful of the farms.

If your visit to the La Conner Daffodil Festival inspires you to start a garden of your own, plan for a stop at Christianson’s Nursery. It’s a local favorite, with plants specifically chosen for the climate here. They also have a wonderful selection of antiques, gifts and home decor. Bonus: There’s a tulip field across the street that will be in bloom this spring.

If you head into La Conner, you’ll likely find the Kiwanis and Boy Scouts selling daffodils. It’s a great way to support youth in the community!

Restaurants and local attractions

Skagit Valley is a worthy day trip destination, with parks, museums and more to explore. Head into La Conner for festivities all month long, and plan for stops at a few of my favorite spots.

On your way in or out of town, Snow Goose Produce is a must. The outdoor market opens on March 1, and I promise you’ll want to be first in line for a gigantic scoop of ice cream. While you’re there, pick up freshly baked bread, seafood and treats for the car ride home.

Downtown La Conner is a must-visit, either for brunch before heading out to the daffodil fields or as a spot to refuel afterward. Calico Cupboard is my personal favorite, with its all-day breakfast menu and indulgent cinnamon rolls. If you have little ones with you, plan a stop at the flagship Bunnies by the Bay store, where it will be nearly impossible to leave without a new stuffed animal. And just a block away, you’ll find the Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum, which has unique displays.

There are several special events going on in La Conner during the Daffodil Festival too, so mark your calendars for:

• The La Conner Murder Mystery, March 7–8: Don’t be surprised if you run into a Hollywood starlet or mysterious character during the first full weekend in March. La Conner Chamber Productions transforms the town into a movie set for this murder mystery, complete with prizes.
• The La Conner Rocks Hunt, March 14–15: Take the kids around town on an epic scavenger hunt for painted rocks, designed by artists and community members. It’s a chance to explore the waterfront and local businesses while searching for treasure. Keep found rocks as souvenirs or rehide them for other visitors! 
• Dandy Daffodil Tweed Ride, March 21: Another annual tradition, this one is for good old-fashioned bicycle enthusiasts. Participants dress in their finest tweed for the Dandy Daffodil Tweed Ride and cycle through the Skagit Valley to view the daffodils in full bloom, stopping along the way for a charming picnic.

If you plan to make a weekend of it, there are a couple of charming hotels and inns in the area, including the waterfront La Conner Channel Lodge and the cozy La Conner Country Inn.

Additional tips for parents

When planning your visit to the La Conner Daffodil Festival, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind for a fun and exciting visit:

• Check the bloom status. The icons on the festival’s bloom map will be brightly colored when daffodils (and tulips!) are in bloom. We’ve had a mild winter and flowers are likely to bloom soon, but you may want to wait until mid-March to see more flowers. Keep in mind that daffodils are left intact through the bloom cycle and beyond (unlike tulips, which are cut toward the end of their bloom cycle), so you will still have a chance to see them even toward the end of March and into April.
• Prepare for extended time in the car. While the scenic route can be enjoyable for older kids and parents, little ones might grow impatient or have difficulty seeing the fields from the car seat. Plan for car activities to help pass the time and make extra stops along the way for treats or stretch breaks.
• Dress for spring weather. If you’re planning to walk the daffodil fields, wear rain boots and clothes that can get muddy. Daffodil fields are slow to dry after rain, so you’re likely to encounter mud even on a dry day.