The 22nd Annual Hibiscus Festival – Punta Gorda, FL
Brought to You By the Charlotte County Historical Society
May 1st, 2nd and 3rd 2026
2026 Hibiscus King & Queen
Bob and Sue Sifrit
Celebrate the Upcoming Hibiscus Festival at the Wild Orchid Tea House!
Date & Time: April 24th, at 1PM
Location: Wild Orchid Tea House – 126 Cross Street, Punta Gorda (Enter from Marion Ave)
Join us for a charming spring celebration at the Garden Soirée, a festive gathering honoring the upcoming Hibiscus Festival. Hosted by Wild Orchid Tea House in Punta Gorda.
Guests will enjoy a beautifully curated hibiscus-themed grazing table featuring garden-inspired bites by Jolly Rogers – The Captain’s Pie Shoppe, along with live jazz music by Georgie K. The afternoon also includes lighthearted fun with spring garden trivia and a bean bag game.
22nd Annual Punta Gorda Hibiscus Festival
May 1st – 3rd
Free admission
The 22nd Annual Punta Gorda Hibiscus Festival will be held at Gilchrist Park from May 1–3 and offers a full weekend of activities, plants, food, and entertainment.
- Friday (May 1): Music Festival from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday (May 2):
- Plant Sale: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Lil’ Miss Hibiscus Pageant: 9:00 AM
- Live Music: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday (May 3):
- Plant Sale: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Live Music: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Throughout the weekend, guests can shop for hibiscus, exotic plants, trees, and organic items, and enjoy a variety of sweet and savory food vendors. Admission is free, with donations encouraged. The festival also highlights the 2026 signature bloom, “Pina Colada,” and honors this year’s King and Queen.
The 22nd Annual Hibiscus Festival
Located in Gilchrist Park,
400 W. Retta Esplanade,
Punta Gorda, FL
Brought To You By: The Hibiscus Committee for the benefit of The Charlotte County Historical Society
We are so excited to bring the Annual Hibiscus Festival back to beautiful Gilchrist Park!
This one-of-a-kind celebration was the vision of local resident Dawn MacGibbon. She and a small group of colorful, fun-loving locals held the first Hibiscus Festival in 2004. They wanted to celebrate and share the unique history and character of their town and its connection to the hibiscus and one of the world’s most renowned hybridizers, Harry R. Goulding.
A character of sorts, Goulding was known to some as an accountant, to some as a rum-runner, and to others as a fisherman, but by far he was known by all for his world class, award-winning hybrid hibiscus plants. Harry would start with 2,000 seedlings a year growing some 60,000 varieties of hibiscus over 60 years. He won many accolades and awards, including the prestigious American Hibiscus Society show’s “Best in the World” category five times.
So, it is with great privilege, love, and honor, every year in the month of May, that a small group carry on this vision by putting on a festival for all to celebrate the history of lifelong resident, Harry R. Goulding, aka King Harry, the hibiscus flower, and the Beloved Spirit of Punta Gorda, historically known as the City of Hibiscus.
We Thank Our Hibiscus Festival Sponsors!
Brought To You By: The Hibiscus Committee for the benefit of The Charlotte County Historical Society
