Being heralded as the nation’s Best Flower Festival, nine-day Holland’s Tulip Time Festival parades rank among Michigan's largest and most magnificent events, drawing more than 500,000 people annually to celebrate culture and community. Crowds of thousands gather along the streets to witness stunning floats, lively marching bands, and Dutch Dancers in a vibrant spectacle spanning over two miles.
Events & Activities
Throughout the week, Dutch Dancers can be seen performing traditional folk dances in our bustling downtown, showcasing their high-kicking moves in wooden shoes. In addition to the stunning flowers, this unique week features a diverse range of national and local entertainment, a carnival, fireworks, wooden shoes, trolley tours, parades, theatrical shows, elephant ears and many other attractions.
To enjoy the local flare, Tulip Time can offer its famous Muziek parade, Volks-parade, and Kinder parade, a time-honored favorite. If you are a dance lover, you can learn the traditional dance moves free of charge from May 4 through May 8 & Friday 10 at 4 pm & 4:30 pm. Plenty of Dutch merchandise, food, and demonstrations are served up all throughout town.
Tulip Immersion Garden
For the third consecutive year, Dutch horticulturist Ibo Gülsen will craft the immersive floral experience: Tulip Immersion Garden—The Journey of the Tulip. The guests will have a chance to wander among 50,000 elevated tulip beds and capture a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. The tulips are arranged in three captivating exhibits that narrate the tulip's history, from its origins in Turkey to its flourishing popularity in the Netherlands, culminating in its celebration at Tulip Time.
The Garden is open during all festival days from 8 am to 4 pm (on Sundays from 12-4 pm). The admission prices are as follows: adults are $15 per person, children aged 2 to 12 are $5 per person, and children aged 2 and under enter for free.
On-stage music
Apart from the tulips, the festival offers on-stage music and entertainment. This year's lineup includes Scotty McCreery, Fiddlefire, Holland American Legion Band, The Texas Tenors, Dutch Organ Music Concert, and the ultimate tribute to the music of ABBA, the greatest pop band in history. All concerts start at 6-8 pm. Tickets are sold individually for each performance, ranging from $16 to $78.
Location & Tickets
The Tulip Time Festival isn't confined to a single gated area and happens all around Holland, Michigan, not just in the downtown area or at a local park. Tulip Lanes, Windmill Island Gardens, or Veldheers Tulip Farm can become real eye candy. But one of the best places to see tulips is at the Dutch Village. Across eight days in May, events and activities unfold at various locations, primarily within a 4-mile radius of Downtown Holland. Visitors can freely enjoy tulips in public parks and along downtown streets. Prices for specific Tulip Time events and activities vary from $8 to $50.
The history of the festival
Tulips first appeared in Holland, Michigan, after the arrival of Dutch settlers. The festival originated in 1929 with Holland's inaugural bloom of 100,000 tulips. Since then, the city has flourished every spring with millions of tulips. In 2023, marking our 94th year, Tulip Time has evolved into more than just a flower festival. Today, the celebration endures with a wide range of enjoyable events and activities suitable for all ages.
