Stop and smell the roses — err, peonies — because the Indiana Peony Festival kicks off this weekend in Noblesville, celebrating its fifth year. Here’s everything you need to know about this fantastic floral festival.
🌸 Schedule of events
Peonies in the Park | Friday, May 16 | 6-9 p.m. | $150+ | Enjoy an adults-only night in the beautifully decorated Seminary Park with some of Indianapolis’ most talented chefs, including Samir Mohammad of Noblesville’s 9th Street Bistro. Guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite spring dress, dapper sport coat, or peony-inspired festive fit.
Brunch and Blooms | Saturday, May 17 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Cost of purchase | Spend your whole day in downtown Noblesville flitting between ~50 walkable merchant locations offering peony-inspired food, drinks, products, promotions, and live music. And don’t forget to vote on your favorite merchant’s peony window display.
Indiana Peony Festival | Saturday, May 17 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Cost of purchase | Meet in Seminary Park for the fifth annual festival with a peony stem contest, 150+ artisans and vendors, horticulture classes, kids’ activities, food and spirit trucks, and blooming photo opps galore.
Think you have a green thumb? Enter the peony contest on Saturday by bringing a homegrown single stem to the gazebo between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. It’s free to participate, and winners will be announced at 3 p.m.
New this year: You can also take part in a floral-inspired class on the courthouse square in partnership with 46th & Spruce.
🌸 Know before you go
Parking: Make sure you wear comfortable shoes for walking. Street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods is free, as well as in these nearby lots.
Traffic: This year, the festival has expanded its footprint past Seminary Park to help spread out crowds a bit more. That means several streets in the area will be blocked off for vendors. Here’s a helpful map that outlines where everything will be, including where you can catch a shuttle to the festival.
Pets/strollers: Since the festival is fully outdoors, dogs are welcome. You know your furry friend best — don’t bring them if they don’t do well in crowds. Kids are also aplenty at the festival, and there’s even a dedicated kids area with activities. Just keep in mind that the crowds may create some difficulty in navigating the park if you have a large stroller.
Cost: The festival is free to attend, but all vendors are for purchase. Pro tip: The festival recommends you bring cash because the festival gets crowded + internet connection for vendors can get spotty.
🌸 Why the peony?
Peonies became the state flower in 1957, when Gov. Harold Handley signed a bill in honor of Rep. Laurence D. Baker and his wife, who started their peony business in 1925 + planted peonies on the Statehouse lawn.
Decades later, Festival CEO + Noblesville resident Kelly McVey discovered her love for the peony, and the idea to host the festival at Seminary Park bloomed from there. Last year’s festival drew more than 25,000 visitors.
The Indiana Peony Festival is a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire Hoosiers to celebrate the state flower, enhance Noblesville through peony beautification projects, and promote Hamilton County as a destination during the month of May.