The 40th Annual Gloucester Daffodil Festival takes place March 28–29, 2026. Our rooms fill up quickly for this historic weekend, so be sure to book your stay early and see the “Yellow Gold” for yourself!

While many recognize the ubiquitous yellow bloom as the first sign of the season, did you know that Gloucester County has long been considered the “Daffodil Capital of America”?

 

About the Festival

The Gloucester Daffodil Festival is a family-friendly celebration of all things spring! Held in the historic courthouse district, the event features:

• The Daffodil Parade: A charming small-town parade through downtown Gloucester featuring creative floats, classic cars, and local marching bands.

• The Amazing Mutt Show: A fan-favorite event for our four-legged friends.

• Art & Flavor: Dozens of local hand-crafted arts and crafts vendors, alongside a variety of delicious food trucks.

• The Daffodil Show: A juried show at the nearby elementary school where growers display their most spectacular and rare bulbs.

• Brent and Becky’s Bulbs: No visit is complete without a trip to their world-renowned garden shop. Explore hundreds of varieties in their “Living Display” gardens or sign up for a guided tour.

 

The History: From English Bulbs to “Yellow Gold”

Gloucester’s obsession with the daffodil dates back to the early 1600s. Early English settlers brought bulbs to the Chesapeake Bay region, where they found the perfect soil and climate to thrive. These low-maintenance flowers multiplied quickly, eventually covering the local fields and waterways in “seas of gold” every spring.

By the early 1900s, local entrepreneurs realized the value of this blooming resource. Farmers began shipping cut flowers via steamboats departing from Mathews County to major ports along the East Coast. During the Great Depression, the daffodil actually surpassed the rose in popularity because it was much hardier and more affordable to grow and ship.

At the industry’s peak between 1920 and 1946, it is estimated that 120,000 daffodils were shipped every single day during the spring season.

The Modern Revival

The first festival was held in 1937 but was paused during World War II. It wasn’t until 1986 that the tradition was officially revived by the citizens of Gloucester and the Parks and Recreation department—most notably with the help of Brent and Becky Heath.

The Heath family has been the backbone of the local daffodil industry for generations. Their business, Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, is now considered the premier provider of flower bulbs in the country, known for their award-winning cultivars and world-class expertise.

Plan Your Spring Getaway

Spring is the most beautiful time of year on the Chesapeake Bay. After a day of exploring the festival and wandering through the gardens, retreat to the quiet, waterfront charm of The Inn at Tabbs Creek.