Tulip Time is a huge festival in Holland, Michigan in early May where you can enjoy millions of beautiful tulips, entertainers, theater and musical acts, a carnival, parades, Dutch dancing, an arts and crafts fair, quilt show, t-shirt printing, fireworks, food, and so much more.
The Holland, Michigan area boasts 6 million tulips, planted & ready to burst forth in bloom in early spring. Located in City parks, at public attractions, and along City streets.
Premier tulip plantings are located at Window on the Waterfront and Centennial Park. Tulip Lanes start on 12th St & River Ave, where six miles of tulips in brilliant array line Holland’s streets.
A great way to see many of the plantings is to take a ride on the Tulip City Tours!
Tulip City Tours
Our hop-on, hop-off tour offers easy access to magnificent Tulip Lanes, Holland’s Historic District, beautiful city parks and our unique, award-winning downtown, with a friendly Dutch-costumed guide as your host.
Tickets are available for day-of purchase only, and are sold at Centennial Park on the corner of 10th Street & Central Ave.
Tickets:
$30 adult
$10 children 12 & under
Includes a one-time admission into the Windmill Island Gardens, the Holland Museum and historic Cappon and Settlers homes.
Hours of operation are:
Saturday 5/3 9:00am – 4:45pm
Sunday 5/4 9:00am – 4:45pm
Monday 5/5 9:00am – 4:45pm
Tuesday 5/6 9:00am – 4:45pm
Wednesday 5/7 9:00am – 11:30am
Thursday 5/8 9:00am – 11:30am
Friday 5/9 9:00am – 4:45pm
Saturday 5/10 9:00am- 11:30am
Dutch Dancing
Nearly 1,000 costumed locals perform traditional Dutch dances every day throughout the City of Holland. Kinder Dutch Dancers are 8-10 years old, Alumni Dutch Dancers are out of high school and the largest group of our dancers are high school age. Dance performances are approximately 5-15 minutes. After some performances, we also have a 10-minute style show to showcase the traditional Dutch costumes. Come and enjoy the rich history and fun of Dutch Dance at Tulip Time! Click here for the full schedule.
Carnival
The Midway Carnival offers rides, food and fun for all ages throughout the week of the Festival. Advance purchase of single day wristband can be used on any one day of the Festival, while the Mega Band can be used every day of the Festival. You can buy tickets ahead of time online and get a deal.
Parades
“People’s Parade”
The Volksparade is led by the Governor of Michigan and thousands of locals dressed in Dutch costumes. Focusing on traditions brought from the Netherlands, participants gather at the beginning of the parade for the official Street Scrubbing. Experience bands, floats, and Dutch Dance groups as they “Klomp” along the route in their authentic costumes complete with wooden shoes! And bringing up the “tail end” of the parade this year, Dutch Dogs on Parade! In our 85th year, we’re inviting all our hometown dogs to dress in their Dutch costume (no inspection needed!) and strut their stuff.
“Children’s Parade”
Featuring over 7,000 schollchildren dressed in Dutch costumes. Look for the special “green” entries, including hybrid or electric vehicles that reduce fuel consumption & emissions.
“Music Parade”
Concluding the Festival’s parade series is one of Michigan’s most spectacular parades featuring floats, Dutch Dancers, marching bands and more! With over 4,000 participants, 170 units and the longest parade route in Michigan, the GMB Muziekparade delights thousands of spectators.
Bleacher seating is available for purchase for each parade for only $5. You can go to the parade section of the Tulip Time website and go to the individual parade’s page to buy tickets ahead of time.
If you choose to bring your own blanket or chair, please take note of the City of Holland’s policies: Items cannot be set up earlier than 6am the morning of the parade. Items may be placed between the street and sidewalk only. All items must be removed no later than 1 hour after each parade.
Nearby Attractions
- 27th Annual Handbell Concert – First United Methodist Church
- Coppercraft Distillery (buy tickets here)
- Felt Mansion
- Graafschap Heritage Center
- Historic Pillar Church
- Holland Area Arts Council
- Holland Museum & Dutch Galleries
- Hope College Dimnent Chapel Organ Recitals
- Nelis’ Dutch Village Family Theme Park & Wooden Shoe Factory
- Veldheer’s Tulip Gardens & DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory
- Windmill Island Gardens
