Sunday, April 23, 2023* | 1 - 5 pm | Pearl Street Mall
Spring officially arrives in Downtown Boulder when the beautiful, colorful Tulip Fairy, along with pint-sized fairies and elves, parade around the Pearl Street Mall "waking up the tulips." This much beloved springtime tradition features live performances, special activities for children and more than 15,000 tulips that adorn the world renowned Pearl Street Mall.
Our vendor and exhibitor spaces are now FULL.
If you would like to be added to our waitlist email us.
Don't forget: On Saturdays and Sundays year round, parking is FREE in all City of Boulder garages!
*Rain Date: In case of inclement weather the Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival will be rescheduled for Sunday, April 30, 2023 from 1 - 5 pm.
Live Performance Schedule
Join us at the performance stage located on the 1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall for live music and performances! Plus, don't miss the Parades with the Tulip Fairy herself - leaving from the front of the performance stage at 1:45, 2:45 and 3:45 pm!
1:00 - 1:45 PM Singer-songwriter Julia Kirkwood
2:00 - 2:45 PM Bear Cub Brigade Kid Songs & Singalongs
3:00 - 3:45 PM School of Rock Boulder
4:00 - 5:00 PM Waking the Bear, with Jeff & Paige
Activities
Businesses, non-profits and community groups come together each spring to host activities perfect for families to enjoy. Many activities are free, but there is a cost for some face-painting and items will also be for sale. Stop by the Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center for a program with a map of all activities at the event.
Confirmed activities this year include:
- Foam sword dueling with Renaissance Adventures
- Aerial performances from Olita Aerial
- Run on a giant hamster wheel to make your own snow cone with Big Wheel Beverages
- Arts and craft projects with the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder County Roller Derby, SPAN, and more!
- Face Painting (free and for a fee) on all three blocks of the event
- Nature activities and wildlife safety with Open Space & Mountain Parks and others
- Hairspray Stencils from Floyd's 99 Barbershop, Temporary Tattoos from Boulder County Kids Magazine, and Fairy Tinsel for your hair from Tinsel-n-Things
- Play an instrument of your choice with Boulder Symphony & Music Academy
- Play Egg Hide & Seek on your mobile device with Reality Mint
- Spin the Wheel to win prizes with OUT Boulder County and Pedalheads
- Make with Clay with Studio Arts Boulder
- And, of course, PARADES with the Tulip Fairy (leaving from the Performance Stage at 1:45, 2:45 and 3:45 pm).
Volunteer
Downtown Boulder Community Initatives (501(c)(3)) produces free community events like the Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival downtown throughout the year. We rely on the support of our amazing community volunteers to make them happen.
Join us as a volunteer to assist with set-up and tear-down, do intercept surveys to help us learn more and get feedback from attendees and assist event staff and participating groups throughout the afternoon of the event.
Come for the Tulips
The adorable children dressed up in their Tulip Fairy & Elf best are pretty hard to beat - but the 15,000 tulips planted on the Mall each year by the amazing staff of the City of Boulder's Parks and Recreation department are another great reason to join us at the event.
Parks and Recreation staff changes the variety and color of the tulips planted on the Pearl Street Mall every year to provide a unique and impressive display each spring. Pearl Street Mall tulips are imported directly from Holland from a wholesale provider.
Don't forget: On Saturdays and Sundays year round, parking is FREE in all City of Boulder garages!