Tulipalooza Is Canceled Because of Weather Damage, Affecting Local Nonprofits

Nicole Kidman is about to light up the screen again in Holland, a film based on the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan. So yeah, tulips are hot right now. The North Texas festival Tulipalooza would've been a great way to get ahead of the trend, but the flower-power fest was drowned out.

On March 8, a string of storms ripped through Waxahachie, forcing Tulipalooza to shut down this year.

The severe weather system that hit Waxahachie early that morning brought intense winds, heavy rain and hail, devastating the festival grounds at Getzendaner Park. By the time the storms passed, the damage was too extensive to recover from, so organizers decided to cancel the remainder of the festival, which had been scheduled to run through March 16. It will not be postponed, so tulip lovers must wait until its return in 2026.

This was an unprecedented blow for a festival built around resilience, both of the flowers and the community it supports. The first week had drawn large crowds, and the coming weekend was expected to be the busiest, especially during “Charity Weekend,” when attendees could choose which nonprofit to support with their ticket purchase.

Instead of visitors walking through vibrant fields of tulips, volunteers were left surveying the destruction.

For Tulipalooza’s eight charity partners, the shutdown meant more than just a lost weekend. Half of all online ticket sales go directly to local nonprofits that depend on the money for vital programs. Festival organizers are urging supporters to donate directly to the charities to help offset the loss.

Waxahachie CARE Services, which provides food, clothing and emergency assistance to needy families, has counted on Tulipalooza as one of its major fundraisers. The nonprofit has served Ellis County since 1982, supporting residents facing financial hardship.

Special Olympics Texas also faces a financial gap. The organization provides sports training and competition opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, helping athletes gain confidence, build skills and form connections. Funding from Tulipalooza would have gone toward covering costs for uniforms, equipment and travel to competitions.

Hope Health, which offers medical, dental and behavioral health services to low-income and uninsured residents, is another organization hurt by the cancellation. The nonprofit relies on events such as Tulipalooza to supplement funding gaps, ensuring patients can access affordable care.

To Be Like Me, an organization dedicated to disability awareness and inclusion, was also among the beneficiaries affected. The group provides interactive experiences to schools, businesses and communities, educating people about what it’s like to live with disabilities.

The financial strain also extends to Runnin’ Free Ranch, which offers equine-assisted therapy for veterans, at-risk youth and individuals with disabilities. The cancellation directly impacts its ability to provide free and low-cost therapeutic riding sessions.

Other affected organizations include Lonestar Easterseals Texas, which helps individuals with disabilities live independently, and the Waxahachie Senior Activity Center, which provides meals, social programs and wellness activities for the aging population.

John Poston founded Tulipalooza in 2018 as part of his work with Daymark Living, a residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The festival supports local charities while showcasing large-scale tulip displays inspired by Dutch floral traditions.

Each year, more than 300,000 tulips and daffodils imported from Holland bloom at Getzendaner Park, drawing thousands of visitors to Waxahachie. Ticket sales, sponsorships and vendor contributions support North Texas nonprofits financially.

Tulipalooza will bloom again in 2026.