If you’re looking for a picture-perfect summer day trip from Washington, D.C., one of the region’s most popular flower festivals is almost back.
Burnside Farms’ Summer of Sunflowers returns Saturday, July 12th, transforming the Nokesville farm into a sea of golden blooms that visitors can explore through August 9th.
The annual event features more than 78 acres of sunflowers, including over 30 varieties planted in successive waves to keep fresh flowers blooming throughout the season.
Whether you’re hoping to fill a bouquet, snap Instagram-worthy photos, or simply spend an evening surrounded by towering flowers during golden hour, the festival has become one of Northern Virginia’s signature summer traditions.
And because tickets are sold exclusively online with timed entry, it’s worth planning your visit ahead of time.
When is the Burnside Farms Summer of Sunflowers Festival?
The 2026 Summer of Sunflowers runs from July 12 through August 9, giving visitors roughly four weeks to experience one of Virginia’s largest sunflower displays.
The farm is open daily from 8 am to noon and again from 4 pm until dusk, with a midday closure from noon to 4 pm because of the summer heat.
Weekend visitors can also purchase Early-Bird admission for access between 6 am and 8 am.
The staggered planting schedule helps ensure fresh blooms remain throughout the festival, while evening ‘Sunflower Sunsets’ offer one of the most scenic times to visit.
Throughout the season, guests can also catch special events including Foamy Fridays in July and the Tribute to Summer Saturday Concert Series on July 18th, July 25th, and August 1st.
What to expect during your visit
There’s far more to do than simply admire the flowers. Guests can wander through 78 acres of blooming fields filled with more than 30 varieties of cutting sunflowers, ranging from classic yellow blooms to orange, red, bi-colored, and even white varieties.
Every admission also includes three pick-your-own sunflower stems, making it easy to take a little piece of summer home.
Families can enjoy the farm’s 4,400-square-foot sunflower- and tulip-themed playground, while visitors can relax in the shaded picnic area beside the historic dairy barn.
The farm also plants three giant four-acre sunflower mazes, and evening visitors can experience the popular ‘Sunflower Sunsets’, when the fields glow during golden hour.
Food trucks are scheduled during many sunset sessions, particularly on weekends.
How much does it cost to visit?
Admission varies depending on the day and time you visit.
Weekday morning tickets start at $15, while weekday sunset admission costs $17.
Weekend mornings begin at $16, with most weekend sunset tickets priced at $18, while Foamy Friday and Concert Saturday evenings cost $18.50.
Weekend Early-Bird tickets are available for $18.
Children 5 and younger are admitted free, while tickets are required for guests ages 6 and older.
Burnside Farms sells tickets online only—there are no gate sales—and each ticket includes three sunflower stems.
Visitors can also pre-purchase additional flowers online at discounted prices before arriving or purchase extra stems at the farm for $1.50 each.
