Make memories amid millions of tulips during Michigan’s most beloved springtime flower festival.
Spring is officially in the air. For residents of Holland, Michigan, that means one thing: Tulip Time is around the bend! When May arrives, Holland comes to life with a time-treasured tradition featuring food, floats, and—of course—flowers.
Tulip Time is a festival designed to honor the area’s rich Dutch heritage and the beauty of tulips themselves. Since 1929, Michiganders and tourists from around the world have made the trip to the shores of Lake Michigan for a multi-day celebration of springtime splendor. More than five million tulip bulbs are planted around Holland every year, thoughtfully timed to (hopefully) burst forth during the early days of May.
Whether you’re a lifelong Hollander, a traveler who’s always wanted to make the journey, or a repeat attendee, there’s so much to love about Tulip Time. This year’s gathering will be no exception. So grab your Dutch costume, put on your wooden shoes, and check out our 2026 Tulip Time guide.
The basics
When is Tulip Time?
May 1 through 10, 2026.
Where is the Tulip Time festival?
Most Tulip Time events happen in and around downtown Holland, Michigan. 8th Street is the heart of downtown, but there are “Tulip Lanes” planted around the city. Most visitors prefer to see the sights of the downtown area first before venturing to local beaches, parks, and other attractions.
How much does Tulip Time cost?
Much of Tulip Time is absolutely free, including strolls through flower lanes at Centennial Park and exploring the charm of Dutch Dancers on the streets. Some individual events and attractions incur their own costs, and you’ll certainly want to have cash on hand for food vendors or carnival rides.
Is there parking at Tulip Time?
Downtown Holland is something of a circus when Tulip Time arrives, but there are several public parking structures near 8th Street. If you can’t find a spot there, look for free street parking in neighboring residential areas and walk to festivities, or find a paid spot in a local lot nearby.
Attractions away from downtown often offer free parking—but we recommend arriving early or being dropped off for major events like parades.
PSA: Don’t touch the tulips
Tulips are gorgeous, we know. So gorgeous that you might be tempted to pick a few to take home as souvenirs.
But be forewarned that picking tulips from Holland’s parks, streets, or other displays is a major no-no, and you can be fined significantly for damaging any tulip beds. We recommend taking lots of photos, but leaving the petals behind!
What’s happening at Tulip Time 2026?
Official Tulip Time events start bright and early on Friday, May 1, with guided coach tours of the city available beginning at 8 a.m. for $75 per person. Tours are family-friendly, so bring along the whole crew as you get an educational (and beautiful) overview of the Tulip City. You’ll escape the downtown crowds and see sights like Windmill Island Gardens (don’t miss the DeZwaan windmill), citywide Tulip Lanes, the historic Cappon House, and more.
Tickets can be booked online in advance. There’s also a walking tour available for those who prefer to stretch their legs while appreciating the sights and sounds of Holland.
Other first-day attractions include the opening day of the Art in Bloem Fine Art Exhibit, carnival rides, and—of course—Dutch Dancers. Also known as klompen dancers, these performance groups are composed of local students and Holland residents who take to the streets in wooden shoes and traditional Dutch costumes to present beautifully coordinated dance moves.
This year, visitors will even have the chance to partake in Dutch Dance lessons! Performances happen throughout every day of the festival, so they’re hard to miss.
This year’s festival also includes the Tulip Immersion Garden, which opens its gates on the first day of events. Tulip Time describes the garden as “a captivating fusion of horticulture, design, and cultural storytelling” that engages visitors of all ages with floral displays and selfie opportunities galore. Tickets can be found online.
Not planning to be in town for day one of Tulip Time 2026? Never fear: All of these attractions continue throughout the fest, so you’ll have an opportunity to catch them whenever you arrive.
Tulip Time 2026 parade schedule
Folks who grew up in Holland will agree: Parades are at the heart of Tulip Time. There’s something rousing and deeply fun about watching marching bands (don’t miss Holland High School’s band in their wooden shoes), brightly decorated floats, and hundreds of costume-clad Dutch Dancers make their way through downtown.
There are two parades to enjoy during Tulip Time, each with its own unique flair.
Kinderparade
When: Thursday, May 7, 2-4 p.m.
Find a place along 8th Street (arrive early—in years past, some Tulip Time patrons have even been known to reserve parade spots the night before) for the Kinderparade. You’ll enjoy a colorful, music-filled march of floats, performers, and local students dressed in Dutch costumes.
At the beginning of the lineup, you’ll see “street scrubbers” cleaning the streets with brooms and buckets of water. This tradition has happened at Tulip Time for decades and represents what the festival calls “the Dutch value of cleanliness and community spirit.”
For guaranteed seating, reserve a Grandstand or Marketplace spot online.
Volksparade
When: Saturday, May 9, 2-4 p.m.
The Volksparade, sometimes simply called “the Saturday parade” by locals, is arguably the peak of Tulip Time. This is where you’ll see vibrantly decorated floats, reflections of local culture, and loads of marching bands. Again, the parade makes its way down 8th Street before concluding at Kollen Park.
You can reserve Grandstand or Marketplace seating for the Volksparade online.
Food and drink at Tulip Time 2026
Food is a highlight for many Tulip Time attendees (and locals who wait all year long to enjoy their favorite treats). The good news? You can’t go too far during Tulip Time without encountering a few food stands.
You’ll find all the carnival classics like corn dogs, funnel cakes, pizza, lemonade, cotton candy, and elephant ears, but don’t miss unique Dutch eats like “fat balls” or oliebollen, which are deep-fried dough balls loaded with fillings like Bavarian cream, custard, and fruit.
Not in the mood for carnival food? Never fear: Downtown Holland is overflowing with restaurants, bars, and coffee shops to try—and there’s something for every budget.
Other must-see Tulip Time 2026 attractions
Here are a few other Tulip Time attractions to check out in 2026.
Tulip Time Makers Market
Venture to the Ottawa County Fairgrounds during the first weekend of Tulip Time to do some shopping at the Makers Market, where you’ll find crafts and goods from more than 250 vendors. This juried event is free to attend, and there will be food trucks on site to keep you well-fed and hydrated as you explore handicrafts and art.
Live musical performances
Missed the Eras Tour? Don’t worry, you can always catch “Love Story,” a tribute to Taylor Swift, at the Holland Civic Center. Tickets are available online for this joyful show. Other performances include the Texas Tenors, family folk group FiddleFire, and a tribute to Elton John called Elton Rohn. What’s not to love?
Tulip Time Run
When: Saturday, May 2, 8 a.m.
We don’t recommend downing a footlong corn dog just before this event, but it’s still worth checking out if you enjoy running. There’s a 5K, 10K, and a kids’ run slated for Saturday, May 2, at 8 a.m. in Kollen Park. Registration details and more information are available on the Tulip Time website.
Closing night fireworks
When: Saturday, May 9, 5:30 p.m.
It’s hard to say goodbye to such a fabulous festival, but all good things must come to an end.
Thankfully, Tulip Time goes out with a bang: literally! Head to Kollen Park at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, to enjoy your last dose of carnival food and watch fireworks over the waterfront. It’s a perfect opportunity to make a few more memories with loved ones before tucking away your wooden shoes and starting the countdown to next Tulip Time.
