Noblesville Indiana Peony Festival

The month of May brings more than racing in Indiana. Although a popular and historical event, racing doesn’t hold a candle to good old Mother Nature. Join in the fun this month with the celebration of the Peony and all of the events honoring this beautiful plant. In this blog, you will learn fun facts about the Peony, the history of the plant, and all of the events happening in May to celebrate the Peony in Noblesville, Indiana.

Did you know?

• The peony has been cultivated for its beautiful blooms for over 1,500 years.
• Native to Asia, specifically China, known as the "king of flowers."
• Considered a symbol of wealth, honor, and prosperity.
• First cultivated in China during the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD).
• They are grown in imperial gardens and used for medicinal purposes.
• In Japan, the peony was introduced during the Nara period (710-794 AD) and became popular in gardens and temple grounds.
• During the Middle Ages, the peony was introduced to Europe, where it became popular among royalty and the upper classes and was used to decorate the gardens of the Palace of Versailles.
• There are many different varieties of peonies, including herbaceous peonies, tree peonies, and intersectional peonies.
• Adopted as the Indiana state flower by the Indiana General Assembly in 1957.
• The inaugural Indiana Peony Festival in 2021 drew more than 10,000 visitors.

To celebrate our state flower, there will be a number of events happening throughout the Noblesville area. 

The Peony Festival:

Celebrate the Peony at Noblesville’s historic Seminary Park on May 20th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is Free to the public. The Indiana Peony Festival is a nonprofit organization that promotes the peony, Indiana’s state flower. Activities such as a bouquet-off, blooming photo spot, food trucks, kids’ activities, and a chance to exchange knowledge about the Indiana state flower, the Peony. 

Indiana Peony Festival’s Peonies in the Park Fundraising Event

Join us on May 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Seminary Park, for the third annual Indiana Peony Festival fundraiser, Peonies in the Park. This fun, adults-only event includes music, peony-inspired cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and activities all surrounding the celebration of the Peony. St. Elmo Steakhouse will provide its signature shrimp cocktail along with other tasty options from Noblesville’s best-loved restaurants. Indiana Peony Festival intends to expand the peony beautification plan for all of Noblesville and to establish Noblesville as a peony destination for all visitors to Noblesville and Hamilton County.

Don’t forget to check out the silent auction. For tickets and more information, visit: https://www.indianapeonyfestival.com/peonies-in-the-park

The Peony Trail:

Duke Energy is the title sponsor for the Indiana Peony Trail. Their mission is to create peony gardens alongside businesses, beautifying the city of Noblesville and Hamilton County. This project supports the planting of 1,000 peony plants. Many of these plants have been placed at the Noblesville City Hall, Noblesville High School’s roundabout, Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville, Noblesville Courthouse, and Janus Development Center.

Brunch & Blooms Brunch Crawl

Located in Downtown Noblesville on Saturday, May 20th, Vintage Adventures joins over 32 businesses in the Brunch & Blooms celebration. This event features 9 downtown Noblesville restaurants in 7 outdoor locations surrounded by live music and peony-inspired products. Join in the fun and wander down the peony-inspired alleys decked out in honor of the Peony. While you are wandering downtown Noblesville, take notice of the beautiful door and window displays honoring the beautiful Peony.

New to this event is a family-friendly lounge area for kids and the kids at heart needing a break.  Kids' crafts, nursing, and baby changing stations are all available at this pit stop.

Don’t forget to stop by the Peony Festival tent to get a map. The first 500 guests received a button, and if you visit 10 or more participating retailers, you will receive a commemorative print and be entered into the grand prize drawing.

The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.