Immerse yourself in Turkish culture
The tulip was first cultivated in Türkiye over four centuries ago and they were the first to host a Tulip Festival, celebrating this beloved flower. The love for the tulip remains strong today. The Tesselaar Tulip Festival Turkish Weekend is a colourful showcase of Turkish culture and heritage amidst a sea of tulips.
Festival will once again feature captivating demonstrations of art, dance, music and gourmet food. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to celebrate, learn, and savour Turkish hospitality, culture, and heritage in an immersive setting. Join us as we journey into Turkish hospitality in the enchantment of the tulips.
Proudly presented in association with the Australian Turkish Cultural Platform we invite you to delve into the enchanting world of tulips and Turkish traditions.
Turkish Entertainment 2026
Enjoy some amazing music on stage including classical and modern Turkish bands. The weekend entertainment is organised by Fatih Karakas.
SATURDAY
10:00am - Tulip Pop
11:00am - Clog Dancing
11:30am - Belly Dancer
2:00pm - Tantana
12:45pm - Cheese Market Reenactment
1:30pm - Clog Dancing
2:00pm - Ozlem & Bulent
2:45pm - Belly Dancer
3:30pm - Ozlem & Bulent
SUNDAY
10:00am - Tulip Pop
11:00am - Clog Dancing
11:30am - Belly Dancer
12:00pm - Tantana
12:45pm - Cheese Market Reenactment
1:30pm - Clog Dancing
2:00pm - Australian Turkish MEHTER BAND
2:45pm - Ozlem & Bulent
3:30pm - Belly Dancer
4:00pm - Ozlem & Bulent
Turkish Cuisine
Get ready for a delicious taste of Turkish culture! Enjoy favourites including gözleme, baklava, simit, Turkish delight and homemade biscuits (Kurabiye), alongside delicious dishes from Melbourne’s multicultural communities.
And of course… Turkish tea!
For Turkish people, tea is much more than a drink. It represents hospitality, friendship, conversation and togetherness.
Then discover the magic of Turkish coffee!
Rich, aromatic and traditionally prepared, Turkish coffee is an experience in itself. And if you’re feeling curious, why not have your coffee fortune read?
Our Turkish coffee fortune-telling is always incredibly popular, with long queues forming every year for a chance to discover what the coffee cup might reveal!
Taste it. Sip it. Listen to it. Experience it.
Turkish Art and Cultural Workshops
Hands-on Turkish Marbling (Ebru) & Marble Book Cover
Discover the beauty of Turkish Ebru, the traditional art of creating unique patterns on water and transferring them onto paper. With a long history associated with the Ottoman tradition, Ebru is a living art form that continues to evolve today, inspiring contemporary artists and designers around the world.
In this hands-on workshop, participants will experience the fascinating process of floating colours on a specially prepared water surface, manipulating them with brushes and traditional tools, and creating their own one-of-a-kind marbled artwork. No two pieces are ever exactly the same, making Ebru a beautiful combination of art, experimentation, movement and cultural heritage.
The workshop is presented by Michelle Lackenby from Paperazzi Design Studio (Sunday), Hilkat Ozgun and Neslisah Akcan (Saturday), bringing together contemporary artistic practice, cultural knowledge and the rich traditions of Turkish marbling.
Together, the presenters bring complementary perspectives, combining Turkish cultural knowledge, community connection, artistic practice and professional creative education.
Workshop fees apply. Suitable for all ages.
Discover millions of spring flowers
While you are there, you can discover more than a million spring flowering bulbs on show, including almost a million Tulips. As you stroll around the historic gardens you can indulge in traditional Dutch foods and other treats. Visit our Clog Shop, see the world’s largest Clog, find treasures in the souvenir and market stalls. See beautiful garden displays, visit our fairy garden, play some old fashioned Dutch games and see historical displays. Photo opportunities abound with Dutch frescos, Windmills, flowers and staff in traditional Dutch and Turkish costumes. Test your powers of observation with our treasure hunt, have your face painted. Try your luck with our garden games.
