Every two years, the highland city of Da Lat in Vietnam transforms into a sea of flowers for an entire month. The event is called the Da Lat Flower Festival, and in 2026 it reaches its 11th edition, bigger in scale than ever before.

The Da Lat Flower Festival 2026 runs throughout December, with an opening ceremony on the night of December 19 at Lam Vien Square and a closing ceremony on December 31 that doubles as the city's New Year celebration. In total there are 36 main and accompanying events, from an international flower exhibition to a jazz concert, making it a great reason to book Flights to Da Lat toward the end of 2026.

The festival runs throughout December 2026, with an official opening ceremony on the night of December 19 and a closing ceremony on the night of December 31, 2026. Several accompanying activities continue into early January 2027.

The opening ceremony is centered at Lam Vien Square in the Xuan Huong area. Flower decorations are spread around Xuan Huong Lake and the city's main streets, while some supporting events take place in districts around Lam Dong Province.

The festival was first held in 2005 and drew around 80,000 visitors. Since then it has been held every two years and has continued to grow; in 2009, Da Lat was officially designated the "City of Flower Festivals" through a decision by Vietnam's Prime Minister.

Visitor numbers have surged dramatically over time: about 500,000 people in 2017, more than 1.5 million in 2022, and over 2 million visitors at the 2024 edition. These numbers make the Da Lat Flower Festival one of the most popular cultural events in Vietnam.

Under the theme "Da Lat - A Harmony of Flowers and Music," this year's festival blends flower exhibitions with a wide range of arts and cultural performances.

Throughout December, the area around Xuan Huong Lake and Da Lat's main streets is decorated with colorful flower installations, making it a favorite photo spot for visitors and a great way to soak up the holiday atmosphere.

This exhibition showcases a wide variety of flowers and ornamental plants from Vietnam and abroad, while also promoting Lam Dong's flower industry, one of the region's signature strengths.

This annual golf tournament is held at the iconic Da Lat Palace golf course, decorated in the festival's signature florals, drawing participants and spectators from the golfing community.

True to this year's overarching theme, Vietnam Jazz Festival 2026 brings together jazz musicians from Vietnam and abroad to perform on several stages throughout the festival.

This event showcases traditional woven fabrics (brocade) from ethnic communities in Vietnam's highlands, complete with live weaving demonstrations and craft exhibitions.

Da Lat's streets come alive with a carnival featuring modern bands and dance troupes, bringing a festive atmosphere to various spots around the city.

One of the most popular accompanying events is a dedicated street selling tea, coffee, local wine, and OCOP (One Commune One Product) goods from Lam Dong and surrounding areas.

The events above are only part of the full Da Lat Flower Festival 2026 lineup. In total, the festival features 36 main and accompanying events spread across December into early January, including 11 main events and 25 other accompanying activities across the city. So beyond the list above, there's plenty more to discover once you're there during the festival.

Since the festival draws millions of visitors, there are a few things worth preparing to make your trip more comfortable.

December is already Da Lat's peak tourist season thanks to its cool weather, and the festival makes it even busier. It's best to book a Hotel in Da Lat well in advance so you don't miss out or end up paying more.

The opening ceremony at Lam Vien Square tends to draw large crowds. Arriving early helps you get a good spot to watch the show while avoiding the peak-hour crush.

Nighttime temperatures in Da Lat can get quite cold in December, especially if you're attending outdoor events like the opening ceremony or the street carnival. Bring a jacket or warm clothing to stay comfortable while enjoying the festival.

Da Lat is served by Lien Khuong Airport (DLI), about 30 kilometers, roughly a 45-minute drive, from the city center. Once you land, you can take a shuttle bus or taxi to your accommodation, especially if you arrive at night ahead of the festival's opening ceremony.

Since the festival's events are centered around Xuan Huong Lake and Lam Vien Square, staying nearby makes it easy to reach the festival grounds on foot.

Ladalat Hotel is about 4 km from Da Lat Railway Station and close to Bao Dai Summer Palace, a good pick if you want a quieter atmosphere while still staying near the city center.

Dalat Thanh Xuan Boutique Hotel is about 2.7 km from Xuan Huong Lake. This boutique-style hotel is a comfortable choice for exploring the festival area with relatively easy access.

TTR Joy Apart Hotel is just about a 2-minute drive from Xuan Huong Lake, making it the most practical choice if you want to stay as close as possible to the heart of the festival.

Still not sure where to stay? Check the full list of hotels in Da Lat on Traveloka and find accommodation that fits your budget and travel style.

The Da Lat Flower Festival 2026 is a rare chance to see the city at its most festive, complete with flower exhibitions, music, and local culture all wrapped into one month-long celebration. Since it only happens once every two years, this is a moment worth catching if you're planning a trip to Vietnam later this year.

Let the Da Lat Flower Festival 2026 be your reason to explore more of Vietnam, while enjoying the cool highland air that's hard to find in other big Southeast Asian cities.

Traveloka is Southeast Asia's #1 travel app, trusted by millions of users to plan trips to destinations like Vietnam. Book Flights to Da Lat, then find a Hotel in Da Lat close to the festival venue.

Round out your trip with Activities in Da Lat, like city tours or visits to nearby waterfalls, before or after enjoying the festival. Enjoy flexible payment with Traveloka PayLater or local payment methods like bank transfer, GoPay, and other digital wallets, anytime through the app available on Google Play Store and App Store.