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Bonnet Springs Park will fill with flowers, plant vendors, and floral displays this weekend as Bloom returns for a two-day spring festival on gardening, design, and local makers.
The free event is scheduled for April 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with activities spread across the park’s event lawn and garden spaces. Bloom gives spring its own signature weekend. It is one of several seasonal events the park has added as it builds out an annual calendar beyond concerts and family programming.
“It anchors our spring programming with a vibrant, immersive festival centered around nature, creativity, and community,” said Kirsten Hein, vice president of engagement at Bonnet Springs Park.
This year’s lineup includes floral installations by Florida designers, guided garden tours, workshops, live music, and a makers market featuring handmade goods and plant-themed products from local and regional vendors. Floral artists scheduled to participate include Blue House Florals, Montepuy Floral Experience, and Flowers by Edith.
Uplifting local and staying ‘rooted’
Organizers say the event’s focus on local florists and makers is intentional — a way to spotlight the people already shaping Lakeland’s creative communities.
“At our core, we’re all about uplifting local and staying ‘rooted’ in the community. We prioritize local florists and makers who truly reflect the creativity and talent across Central Florida,” Hein said.
Visitors can sign up for workshops to make their own terrariums, moss art, floral wreaths, and stained-glass wind chimes. Horticulture staff will lead garden education activities and answer questions about plants throughout the weekend.
The goal, organizers say, is to make Bloom more than a flower market: part festival, part hands-on learning experience for people who want ideas they can take home to their own yards and gardens.
“Bloom is designed to inspire a deeper appreciation for nature, horticulture, and sustainable practices … encouraging visitors to slow down, connect with surroundings, and discover the beauty of the natural world,” Hein said.
Transforming Bonnet Springs Park
Behind the scenes, staff spend months coordinating floral build, workshop materials, and vendor placement before visitors arrive, transforming open lawn areas into temporary garden spaces.
“Our team begins planning for Bloom months in advance, with the goal of always listening to our guests, learning from experience, and building bigger and better events,” Hein said.
The result is a festival that feels rooted in Lakeland: built around public gardens, outdoor gathering, and small local businesses rather than large-scale spectacle.
“Bloom is distinctly Lakeland because it reflects the heart of the local community — its creativity, its makers, and its connection to nature,” Hein said.
More information, including workshop registration, is available through bonnetspringspark.com.
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