Caladium Festival 2025

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It’s the most vibrant time of the year in Lake Placid, Florida, and not because of fireworks or fairs—this small town turns into a floral dreamscape. As of July 27, 2025, the 34th annual Caladium Festival is in full swing at Stuart Park, showcasing why Lake Placid is rightfully known as the “Caladium Capital of the World”

If you’re a gardener—or just someone who finds heart-shaped, painted leaves visually arresting—this is your perfect mid-summer outing.

Why Caladiums Matter (and Why They Look Magical)

Lake Placid grows about 90% of the U.S. caladium supply, with roughly 1,200 acres of fields dedicated to these tropical beauties. The festival welcomes teams of growers who donate thousands of bulbs to decorate Stuart Park and downtown, blanketing the area in bold shades of red, pink, green, and white.

It’s like walking into a living quilt—a feast for gardeners and leaf enthusiasts alike.

What’s Happening Right Now: July 25–27, 2025

Dates & Times:

Festival Highlights

Caladium Field Bus Tours

 

 

Hop aboard a tour bus led by local growers, winding through miles of vibrant caladium fields. You’ll learn care tips straight from the experts and get to see how caladiums flourish in real farmland. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 at the gate and run every half-hour between 9:30 AM and 2 PM

Arts & Crafts & Plant Sales

 

 

 

Local artisans showcase handmade crafts and caladium growers sell bulbs—perfect if you want to bring vibrant Florida foliage home with you.

Car & Bike Show

 

 

Saturday brings a classic car and motorcycle exhibition at Devane Park, with dozens of vintage rides shining under the summer sun. Admission is complimentary.

Floral Arrangements & Art Contests

 

 

Garden club members compete in stunning floral designs, while local visitors (and kids) submit caladium-themed art and coloring contest entries for prizes and the honor of appearing on next year’s festival memorabilia.

Caladium Flyer Steam Train Ride

 

 

Take a nostalgic ride aboard the restored Sugar Express steam train for scenic loops through the countryside—$30 per person and a fun way to combine gardening with old-time charm.

Live Music & Beer Garden

 

 

From cloggers to bluegrass, the live entertainment lineup pulses throughout the day. Local brewery Wet Dogs even brews a special Caladium Festival Watermelon Kölsch for the event—a uniquely summery treat.

Why Gardeners Should Visit

Shade-Loving Inspiration: Caladiums thrive in the hot hours of Florida summer when many other plants struggle.

Design Ideas: See leaf combinations and color blends in action—gold-white caladiums tossed with chartreuse varieties under filtered shade? Instant backyard envy.

Hands-On Learning: Grower-led bus tours are a goldmine of tips on soil preparation, watering balance, and protecting bulbs from pests.

A Few Tips Before You Go

Stay Cool & Hydrated: Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water—the heat is real, but the blooms are worth it.

Parking & Access: Easy, free parking around Stuart Park. Festival grounds are walkable and shaded under oaks.

Bring Cash/Card: Plant purchases and food booths, especially.

  • Extra Time? Take a walking mural tour of downtown Lake Placid afterward—there are nearly 50 vivid murals celebrating local culture and history.

Final Flourish

The 34th Annual Caladium Festival is more than a garden show—it’s a small-town celebration of color, community, and Florida horticultural pride. Even if you’ve never grown a caladium tuber before, walking among these kaleidoscopic leaves is bound to spark planting inspiration or at least happy wonder.

If you visit before Sunday and return home with a flourish of new varietals or gardening ideas—I’d love to hear which colors you chose. Until then, enjoy the kaleidoscope! Let that leaf love grow wild.

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