In 1973, the iris was designated as the official cultivated flower of Tennessee. With over 310 species, this showy flower can be seen throughout the TriStar state.
In Springtime, the iris grows lengthy flowering stems with six lobe-shaped petals and is often used in gardens, primarily as a colorful border.
Tennessee also boasts of various wildflowers that come in all shapes and sizes.
Wildflowers have self-sufficiently endured Tennessee floods, droughts, sandy soil and clay, sweltering heat, and icy winds.
Wildflowers are crucial in sustaining pollinators and wildlife in the ecosystem - and provide beautiful accents to Tennessee terrain.
Many towns across Tennessee celebrate the beauty of plants, flowers, and trees as they come into full bloom.
Here's a selection of the Tennessee Spring Flower Festivals that will be heading your way in the upcoming months.
WEST TENNESSEE Flower Festivals
April 12-14, 2024
Dixon Gallery and Gardens
4339 Park Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38117
Open free of charge to the public, it is the club’s gift to the city and surrounding area.
The most outstanding ongoing Memphis Garden Club project is The Memphis Flower Show, held every two years at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens.
Begun in 1978, it is one of only nine United States flower shows designated a “major flower show” by the Garden Club of America.
The shows have consistently received GCA certification, which recognizes the excellence of the flower show and the show’s fulfillment of the three component criteria: artistic, horticulture, and conservation/education.
This prestigious show draws horticulture and artistic judges and entries from GCA members locally and throughout the United States while reflecting the summation of the stated purpose of The Memphis Garden Club.
Saturday, April 13, 2024
10 AM - 5 PM
UA Moore Ballpark
(Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park)
7097 Benjestown Rd
Millington, Tennessee 38053
Admission is $5 (Ages 4 & under = Free)
Free Parking
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is truly a nature lover's paradise.
Covering over 12,500 acres of beautiful hardwood bottomlands, this park is situated on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, just 13 miles north of Memphis.
Visitors can marvel at the stunning mature Bald Cypress and Tupelo swamp, or climb the majestic Chickasaw Bluffs for breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
The bluffs are covered with a variety of large oaks, American beech, hickory and sweet gum trees, providing a lush canopy for visitors to explore.
Interestingly, the park is home to 10 state Champion Trees and two National Champion Trees, as well as many endangered and protected plant species.
The 12th Annual 2024 Shelby Forest Spring Fest will be held on April 13th in the old UA Moore Ballpark (Shelby Forest State Park).
The event will feature: live music, food, arts and crafts vendors, wildlife and cultural exhibits, and a corn hole tournament.
April 27th – May 4th 2024
Parade Begins @ 10:00AM
Dresden, TN
Admission is FREE
2024 marks the 44th Anniversary of the Tennessee Iris Festival in Dresden.
This day will feature crafty and food vendors that will set up at the Farmer's Market and a parade with around 100 colorful floats!
The initial purpose of the Easter Parade and eventual Iris Festival was to attract visitors from outside of Dresden and encourage them to do business in the town.
Over the years, not only have businesses and industries shown their support, but also the citizens of West Tennessee.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE Flower Festivals
Saturday, March 16, 2024
10 AM – 4 PM
Bell Buckle, TN
Bell Buckle celebrates the arrival of Spring every year on the third Saturday of March with a festival that began in 1978.
The festival is held to admire the thousands of daffodils that line the roads and farmlands for a six-mile stretch of highway leading into Bell Buckle.
Local lore says that the mass plantings of daffodils were started over a hundred years ago by Sawney Webb as a character-building discipline for some of the school's more challenging students.
March 29 - 30, 2024
9 AM - 5 PM
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens
1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville, TN 37205
Admission: Adults $22, Youth (3-17) $15
Ages 2 and under: Free
Cheekwood is a truly unique and stunning attraction located on the historic Cheek estate.
The estate covers 55 beautiful acres and is home to a botanical garden and art museum.
Originally built as a home for Leslie and Mabel Cheek in 1929, Cheekwood is a prime example of an American Country Place Era estate.
In 1960, the estate was converted into a museum of art and botanical garden, and since then has continued to present world-class art exhibitions and spectacular gardens.
With over 400,000 visitors each year, Cheekwood is one of the city's top cultural attractions, boasting more than 20,000 member households.
Visitors can enjoy a range of family-friendly activities and programming for all ages, as well as year-round festivals celebrating the four seasons.
From the stunning display of 250,000 blooming bulbs in the spring to the one mile of holiday lights in the winter, there's always something new and exciting to discover at Cheekwood.
The Great Spring Art Hop features nine oversized bunnies painted by local artists – eight of them hidden throughout the gardens – and the return of egg hunts!
Saturday, April 13, 2024
9:30 AM - 5 PM
Nashville Public Square Park
Union St & 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201
Admission: FREE
Parking: Be prepared to pay for Downtown parking ($15 & up)
Tennessee's premier Japanese Cultural Festival! This family-friendly celebration of Spring and Japanese culture occurs on the front lawn of the Metro Courthouse at Nashville Public Square.
Highlights of the event include: Contemporary and traditional Japanese music and dance, a roving Japanese “Candyman,” Cultural lectures and exhibits, and a variety of Japanese cuisine featuring special menus from some of Nashville’s favorite food trucks.
Sunday, April 24, 2024
12 PM - 6 PM
Nolensville, TN
ADMISSION: FREE
The Buttercup Festival is an annual event that takes place in Nolensville, Tennessee. It is a celebration of the town's heritage and community spirit and attracts thousands of people to this charming town.
The Buttercup Festival will feature more than 100 artisan vendors lined up throughout the downtown historic district, demonstrations from Ron Nichols, the local blacksmith, and all downtown shops will be open for business.
Food trucks will have unique offerings, including barbecue, burgers, wood-fired pizza, tacos, specialty drinks, snow cones, and homemade ice cream.
There will be live musical entertainment with local musicians performing throughout the day.
EAST TENNESSEE Flower Festivals
April 26-28, 2024
World's Fair Park
963 Worlds Fair Park Drive
Knoxville, TN 37916
Admission: Free
Free Trolley rides from Downtown Garages to Event
World's Fair Park is a beautiful public park that was built for the 1982 World's Fair, which was held in Knoxville.
The park covers an area of 70 acres and features many attractions, including a large man-made lake, a sunsphere tower, and several sculptures and fountains.
The 2024 Dogwood Arts Festival will take place at World's Fair Park in Downtown Knoxville, TN. There will be fine art vendors, food trucks, and children's activities on the Performance Lawn.
On Saturday & Sunday, there will be live music, dance performances, and more on the Amphitheatre Stage, plus local Makers and community organizations along the waterfront.
April 20-21, 2024
Tusculum University
60 Shiloh Rd, Tusculum, TN 37745
Admission: Free
Tusculum University is a private, co-educational university located in Greeneville, Tennessee.
The university was founded in 1794, making it the oldest institution of higher learning in Tennessee and the 28th oldest in the United States.
Originally founded as Greeneville College, the name was changed to Tusculum College in 1907 and finally to Tusculum University in 2018.
The Old Oak Festival spans two days on the gorgeous and historic campus of Tusculum University.
The festival will feature artisan vendors, food vendors, musicians, Authors' Row, creative writing readings, a car show, Kiddie Corner, 5 X 10 Plays, and more.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Bandy Creek Visitor Center
151 Stable Rd, Oneida, TN 37841
Admission: FREE
Back in 1927, a couple named Lora and Tealie Ann Blevins bought 45 acres of beautiful rolling tableland in Tennessee.
Having grown up in the bottomland communities of the Big South Fork basin, they used their environmental and cultural knowledge to establish a small family farm on a plateau of rolling hills.
With their six children, Lora, Tealie, and their family worked and lived off the land, embracing and carrying on the rich cultural traditions of the region.
Step back in time in the Big South Fork this spring by visiting the Lora Blevins homeplace (near the Bandy Creek Visitors Center).
This day-long festival features plenty of events and is free to the public.
Food is available from vendors, or you can bring your lunch.