As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers. In Holland, Michigan, those flowers are over six million tulips. It’s a sight to behold each spring during the annual Tulip Time festival, which brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to this small city in the midwestern United States.
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Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan
During the Tulip Time festival, this Dutch-settled West Michigan city is abloom with millions of tulips, traditionally costumed dancers perform in wooden klompen shoes, and marching bands parade through the quaint downtown.
As a Michigander and former West Michigan local, I’ve visited Holland and attended Tulip Time festivities on numerous occasions over the years. Seeing the colorful spring flowers while touring a real Dutch windmill is one of my favorite springtime activities in Michigan. So, I’ve compiled this guide to help you plan your own Tulip Time trip to Holland!
In this Tulip Time festival guide, you’ll learn:
- What the Tulip Time festival is
- When the Tulip Time festival is held
- Where Holland, Michigan, is located
- How to get to Holland, Michigan
- About Holland’s Dutch roots
- Where to stay in Holland during Tulip Time
- Where to see tulips in Holland, Michigan
- About Tulip Time’s top attractions
- More things to do in Holland during Tulip Time!
What is the Tulip Time Festival?
In 1929, the City of Holland planted 100,00 tulips and held its first Tulip Time. Since then, the festival has been a nearly annual celebration of the city’s Dutch heritage.
The 10-day flower festival now has a full schedule of events, with parades, Dutch dance lessons and performances, concerts, quilt and art exhibitions, and more festivities, mainly occurring within a 4-mile radius of downtown Holland.
Over the years, it has been recognized as America’s Best Small Town Festival by Reader’s Digest and USA Today’s Best Flower Festival in 2016.
When is Tulip Time 2025?
Tulip Time is held annually for 10 days in early to mid-May. This year, Tulip Time runs from May 2 through May 11.
Where is Holland, Michigan?
If you’ve gotten this far into this post without realizing the Holland I’m talking about isn’t in the Netherlands, let me clarify that right now. Though visiting Amsterdam in spring to see tulip fields is indeed a bucket-list trip, experiencing tulip season in Holland, Michigan, is also worth a springtime visit.
With its location near the Lake Michigan coast in West Michigan, Holland oozes “lake life” charm in the summer months. Yet, visitors come to this Dutch-settled city in the spring for its abundance of beautiful blooms and Tulip Time festivities.
Located about 30 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, Holland is a popular day trip from West Michigan’s largest city for visitors and locals alike. Since Grand Rapids is home to the closest international airport, it’s also a popular destination for visitors to book their hotels during Tulip Time.
Additionally, several Midwest destinations are only a few hours from Holland by car. Chicago is about 150 miles around Lake Michigan, and Detroit sits about 180 miles east. With travel time under four hours, visiting during Tulip Time in Holland is ideally located for weekend road trips from Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee.
You could also visit Holland during Tulip Time on a West Michigan road trip. Other West Michigan destinations you could visit on a springtime road trip include Three Oaks, St. Joseph, South Haven, Saugatuck, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Ludington.
Holland’s Dutch Roots
Tulips, windmills, and wooden clogs are familiar sights in Holland, Michigan, a city settled in the mid-1800s by Dutch Calvinists. Today, many residents still have Dutch ancestry and are quite proud of their city’s Dutch roots.
That Dutch heritage has become integral to Holland’s culture and is celebrated at local attractions and restaurants. You can visit an authentic windmill from the Netherlands at Windmill Island Gardens, purchase wooden klompen shoes and blue delft pottery at DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory, and taste traditional Dutch foods at the Hungry Dutchman Cafe at Nelis’ Dutch Village.
Of course, Holland’s Dutch ancestry is most notably celebrated during the annual Tulip Time festival each May. During the festival, about a half million visitors come to Holland to experience the Dutch dances, music, food, traditional costumes, parades, and a city abloom with millions of tulips.
When to See Tulips in Holland, Michigan
As I mentioned, millions of tulips bloom in Holland, Michigan, briefly each spring. Typically, this bloom starts in late April and extends through mid-May, coinciding with the annual Tulip Time festival. However, a particularly rainy or windy spring can cut the tulip season short.
Therefore, if you want to see tulips in peak bloom, you should watch the City of Holland’s Tulip Tracker to monitor their progress. Then, plan your visit accordingly.
Of course, if your trip requires a flight and/or hotel bookings, you may not have the flexibility to make last-minute reservations.
In that case, planning your visit during the first week of May is probably best. Your visit will likely coincide with the tulip bloom, and the vast schedule of Tulip Time festivities ensures there will be plenty to see and do in Holland during your trip.
If the weather turns chilly, rainy, or windy, you’ll find respite at fantastic local restaurants and shops in downtown Holland.
Where to Stay for the Holland Tulip Festival
Are you wondering where to stay in Holland during Tulip Time? Holland offers a variety of accommodations, including a downtown boutique hotel with eco-friendly features, national chain hotels, cozy bed and breakfasts, and spacious vacation rentals.
I recommend staying in the heart of Holland’s charming downtown. Lodging here includes the LEED Gold certified Tulyp, Tapestry Collection by Hilton; Courtyard by Marriott Holland Downtown, and the Teerman Lofts. You can walk to local restaurants, craft breweries, boutique shops, and tulip-filled parks from any of these downtown Holland accommodations.
Another option for where to stay in Holland is near Nelis’ Dutch Village, Veldheer Tulip Gardens, and DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory. Hotels near these Dutch-themed attractions include the Home2 Suites by Hilton Holland, Hampton Inn Holland, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Holland, and Holiday Inn Express.
Finally, if you have trouble finding accommodations in Holland, I recommend widening your hotel search to nearby destinations, such as Saugatuck and Grand Rapids.
You can search the map below to find and book your lodging in Holland, Michigan.
Where Can You See Tulips in Holland, Michigan?
Are you wondering where to see tulips in Holland, Michigan? During tulip season in Holland, there are multiple city parks, tulip-lined streets, and even a tulip farm where you can peep at millions of tulips in bloom.
I recommend picking one or two stops to view tulips for visitors going to Holland during Tulip Time for just one day. The following are a few sites where you’ll find flowerbeds full of blooming tulips each spring in Holland, Michigan.
Downtown Holland Tulip Beds
The City of Holland plants over 500,000 tulips of 90 varieties at its city parks and in the downtown area. Walking along 8th Street, you’ll see plots of tulips among the downtown shops, restaurants, and breweries, including New Holland Brewing’s Pub on 8th.
Centennial Park
Located at 10th Street and Central Avenue, this city park boasts a colorful display of tulips.
Window on the Waterfront Park
You can see thousands of tulips at this 30-acre park along the Macatawa River as you use the walking and bike paths.
Tulip Lanes
Take a scenic drive or stroll to see Tulip Lanes! Six miles of Holland’s streets are lined with 250,000 tulips. In particular, the beautiful tulips along Washington Avenue and 12th Street are must-see sights during Tulip Time.
Windmill Island Gardens
One of Holland’s most popular tulip-viewing spots is Windmill Island Gardens, which plants 150,000 tulips for Tulip Time!
Of course, the main attraction of this 36-acre park is the 250-year-old Dutch windmill De Zwaan. In fact, De Zwaan is an operating mill that grinds grains into flour that you can purchase from the gift shop. You can also tour the windmill’s five floors.
Other sights worth seeing are the authentic street organ from Amsterdam, the antique carousel, the Little Netherlands display, and the gift shop, which sells Dutch cheese, wooden clogs, delftware, and more souvenirs.
Windmill Island Gardens is located at 1 Lincoln Avenue, within walking distance of downtown Holland’s hotels, shops, and restaurants. Admission is $15 per adult, $7 for ages 3 to 15, and free for children 2 and younger. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily during Tulip Time 2025.
Tulip Immersion Garden: The Journey of the Tulip
You’ll be immersed in eye-level tulip displays as you meander through the three raised gardens by globally renowned Dutch horticulturist Ibo Gülsen.
Each display shares part of the tulip’s history. From being cultivated in Türkiye to blossoming into a cultural trend in the Netherlands, you’ll follow the tulip’s journey to being celebrated as part of Holland’s Dutch heritage during Tulip Time.
The Tulip Immersion Garden runs May 2 through May 10 at Beechwood Church, 895 Ottawa Beech Road. Tickets are $15 per person, except for children age 2 and younger, for whom admission is free.
Nelis’ Dutch Village
Celebrate Dutch heritage and see 30,000 tulips at this family-friendly theme park! Kids will love the giant wooden shoe slide, petting farm, and amusement rides.
There are also plenty of learning opportunities with Dutch dance lessons, cheese tastings, and wooden shoe carving demonstrations.
Nelis’ Dutch Village is located at 12350 James Street (at the intersection of US-31 and James Street). Admission is $19 for ages 3 and up and free for children younger than 3. Purchasing your tickets online can save you $2 off your admission. During Tulip Time, this attraction is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Veldheers Tulip Gardens and DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory
This tulip farm plants six million tulips in addition to 850 other plants. You’ll see tulips in various colors, daffodils, hyacinths, and other beautiful flowers as you meander through large flower fields. Also, you may spy the bison herd grazing in a pasture nearby!
There are a few small windmills (though none are authentically Dutch like De Zwaan at Windmill Island Gardens), so there are plenty of photo opportunities here.
While here, stop into DeKlomp Wooden Shoe Factory to see traditional Dutch wooden clogs and Delftware pottery.
Veldheers Tulip Gardens is located at 12775 Quincy Street. Admission costs $17 per adult and is free for children younger than 13.
Explore the map to pinpoint where to find tulips in Holland, Michigan:
Pro Tip: Once you decide where to view tulips, you can build your day’s itinerary around that destination. However, first, look at the Tulip Time Festival’s schedule of activities. Parades and races affect street closures and traffic delays.
Where to See a Dutch Windmill in Holland, Michigan
During the Tulip Time festival, there are several locations around Holland where you can view the colorful tulip beds. Windmill Island Gardens, which plants 150,000 tulip bulbs yearly, is particularly picturesque because of its authentic Dutch windmill.
Named De Zwaan, meaning “the swan,” this windmill was the last to leave the Netherlands and is the only working Dutch windmill in the United States.
Perhaps because I visited Holland, Michigan, so much as a child, I never fully appreciated how rare it is to see a Dutch windmill outside of Europe. However, after hearing De Zwann’s history, I’ve realized it is a unique monument and quite fitting for a city named after the settlers’ homeland.
The five-story windmill has a unique history. First erected in the 1700s, De Zwaan has been moved and reconstructed twice since then — once in the Netherlands and then in the 1960s when it came to Holland, Michigan.
Before coming to the United States, the mill served as a watchtower during World War II and, by some accounts, was heavily damaged in the crossfire.
The Netherlands banned the international sale of windmills following WWII—except for De Zwaan. See what I mean by how unique it is to see a Dutch windmill without traveling to the Netherlands?
On the guided tour of De Zwaan, I learned that Alisa Crawford is the only Dutch-certified miller in the Americas. She is a member of the professional grain millers guild of the Netherlands. My tour guide described the guild as an elite group of 45 millers — 44 Dutchmen and one American woman.
After touring the windmill, seeing the large tulip beds was next on my agenda. The tulips were planted in rows of color — red, pink, yellow, white, and purple. It was a beautiful sight.
When you look at my photos of the tulips, do you imagine I took a leisurely stroll through the garden, stopping to take perfectly unfiltered Instagram-worthy photos? It was NOT like that. Do not expect viewing the tulips during Tulip Time to be serene.
Note to selfie-takers and Instagram fanatics: You’ll still get beautiful tulip photos, but patience is probably key. To beat the crowds, try to go early on a weekday or visit Holland within a couple days before or after the Tulip Time festival.
Beyond the windmill and tulips, Windmill Island Gardens is adorable. It features picturesque gardens, a children’s playground, and a carousel.
At the gift shop, you can purchase your own set of wooden clogs, Delft pottery, or whole wheat flour stone ground at De Zwaan. I purchased a Delft ornament shaped like a clog to hang on my travel-ornament-adorned Christmas tree. What would you choose as your souvenir?
More Tulip Time Things to Do
Watch and Learn Dutch Dances
Whether you want to watch Dutch dances or klomp along yourself, there will be ample opportunities during Tulip Time!
In fact, Dutch dances are performed multiple times each day throughout the festival. Click here for the festival’s full Dutch dance performance schedule.
Conveniently, many of these free performances and dance lessons take place downtown along 8th Street and at various parks.
Browse Art & Quilt Shows
During the annual Tulip Time festival, art lovers can browse a fine arts show, a quilt show, and an artisan market.
At the Art in Bloem Fine Art Showcase, you can see artwork from the 20 finalists of the 2025 First Bloem competition. The free showcase runs May 2 – May 9 at the Holland Area Arts Council.
The Tulip Time Quilt Show exhibits over 100 quilts, art quilts, and wall hangings. The quilt show runs from May 2 through May 10 at Midtown Center, and tickets are $8.
Away from downtown Holland at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds, the annual Tulip Time Artisan Market features more than 300 vendors selling unique, hand-crafted items. Food trucks and Dutch dance performances will also be featured. This free event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4. Dogs are also welcome, but they must be leashed.
Attend a Parade
The parades are absolute highlights of Tulip Time in Holland!
Kinderparade
In the annual Kinderparade, local schoolchildren clad in traditional Dutch clothing march down 8th Street from Columbia Avenue to Kollen Park.
They are joined by dozens of West Michigan middle and high school marching bands, festive floats, and even dogs dressed in klederdracht.
The Kinderparade takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 8, along 8th Street in downtown Holland.
Volksparade
Then, the annual Volksparade, with even more West Michigan middle and high school marching bands and community floats, will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 10.
The Volksparade steps off at Columbia Avenue on 8th Street and heads west to Van Raalte Avenue, where the parade ends at Holland High School.
You can purchase grandstand or street-side seating for the parades.
Go on a Photo Walk Tour
Of course, one of the significant draws of visiting Holland during Tulip Time is the plentiful photo opportunities, and shutterbugs will love taking a photography tour of Windmill Island Gardens.
The all-in-one tour and photography lesson introduces one of Holland’s top Tulip Time attractions through the eyes of professional photographers.
Attendees will learn tips for photographing landscapes and architecture while visiting Windmill Island Gardens during a time without crowds.
After the tour, one attendee’s photo will be selected as the best picture of the class and be featured on the Tulip Time social media channels.
Tulip Time Photo Walk Tours run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 5 – 8. Tickets cost $45, and you must bring your own camera (or smartphone).
Sip Local Craft Beverages
Want to try some local craft beer, spirits, or wine in Holland? Several breweries, distilleries, and winery tasting rooms are within walking distance of one another in downtown Holland.
Eat Dutch Food
Want to taste the Netherlands’ food while visiting Holland, Michigan? Traditional Dutch foods like pea soup and croquettes are available at the Hungry Dutchman Café at Nelis’ Dutch Village, deBoer Bakkerij & Dutch Bros. Restaurant, and the Wooden Shoe Restaurant.
RELATED: Best Restaurants in Holland: 24 Awesome Local Places to Eat and Drink (With Map)
FAQ
When is the best time to see tulips in Holland, Michigan?
Typically, tulips bloom from late April through mid-May in Holland, Michigan. The peak bloom often coincides with the annual Tulip Time festival in early to mid-May. To see the tulips without the crowds, plan your visit for a weekday or the days before or after the festival.
Do you need tickets for Tulip Time in Holland?
While tickets are not required to see tulips in downtown Holland and at public parks, some Tulip Time festival events and attractions require them.
What should I wear to the tulip festival?
First and foremost, dress for the weather. Holland’s average temperatures in May range from 48° F to 69° F.
When I attended Tulip Time in 2022, I was comfortable wearing leggings, a short-sleeve top, and a denim jacket. However, when I went in 2015, it was unseasonably hot and humid, with temperatures in the low 80s.
Also, if you hope to get photos of yourself in the tulip fields, wearing white provides contrast against the colorful tulips. For example, you could wear white jeans or a white eyelet dress.
There isn’t much shade in the tulip fields, so bring your favorite sunglasses, sunscreen, and/or a sun hat.
Lastly, I would avoid heels and sandals since you’ll walk through dirt in the tulip fields. I also recommend avoiding white or light-colored shoes if you want to keep them clean.
You Might Enjoy These Related Posts
- New Holland Brewing Celebrates 20 Years of Craft Beer – When in Holland, visit the New Holland Pub on 8th for food, craft beer, and craft spirits at one of the pioneers of Michigan’s booming craft beverage scene.
- Saugatuck, Michigan Things To Do – About 12 miles south of Holland, Saugatuck and Douglas are two charming small towns with bed & breakfast lodging, foodie-approved local foods and drinks, sand dunes, art galleries, boutique shops, and beaches.
- Where to Eat in Saugatuck: 7 Spots to Dine Like a Local Foodie – Wondering where to eat and drink when you stop in nearby Saugatuck? This post gives you the inside scoop on the local foodie spots in Saugatuck, Douglas, and Fennville!
- Michigan in Bloom Guide: When and Where to See Flowers in Michigan – In addition to Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan is known for its cherry blossoms, spring wildflowers, sunflowers, beautiful botanical gardens open all year long, and more colorful petals worthy of planning a day trip or weekend getaway to see firsthand.
- Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin — If you enjoy garden strolls, you should plan a visit to the award-winning Rotary Botanical Gardens in southern Wisconsin!
- Romantic Getaways in the Midwest — Check out the most charming destinations and glamorous cities in the Midwest for those romantic escapes for two!
Easily refer back to this post by saving it now to your Holland, Michigan travel board on Pinterest!
This is a very thorough and Well Done article. We have been there are several times and always enjoyed it.
I am going next year for sure…Thanks for all the great tips! I love Holland…It’s so charming 🙂
Beyond gorgeous. I’ve always wanted to go. Who knows why I keep putting it off. I need to make time for things I want to do.
This is embarrassing: I haven’t been to downtown Holland since I was little and I live in GR! We are going to go this year with the kiddos. LOVE the pics girl!
Your photos are beautiful. I would love to visit someday. Oh, and the food, wow. Now I’m hungry!
Thank you, Jenn. I’m sure you’ll enjoy Holland’s food, charm, and Dutch details when you visit someday!
I’m ashamed to say this, but I’ve never been to Holland, MI! I love how you documented your trip. I’m excited to start planning a trip there with my family.
Glad you got to enjoy our little town! It gets a little (LOT) crazy during Tulip Time, which is why a lot of locals grumble about it. But we do love it too!! We’re quite proud, and I live just off Tulip lane so we see all the crazy!! If you’re ever back in Holland come on a Saturday in the early summer and enjoy the awesome farmers market, and get breakfast downtown at The Windmill. It’s our favorite breakfast spot, and our downtown is awesome!!
I’ve been meaning to get to downtown Holland. New Holland is on my Michigan brewery bucket list, and I’m always down for a great breakfast spot. I wonder if the Windmill is where my mom and grandma took me as a child. I’ll have to ask, but it sounds pretty familiar!
I’m coming to Michigan in June, will the tulips still be there? Love to go see them
Hi, Carrie! Sorry it took me so long to reply with an answer. I checked with Discover Holland, and unfortunately, the tulips are usually done blooming by mid-May. However, if you are coming to Michigan and love to see flowers, there are some beautiful gardens. Here in Grand Rapids, you can visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
Loved the mini-history lesson blended in with the tourist attractions. Those were interesting facts I didn’t know despite being a native Michigander and Dutch descendant. Love all the pics. I heard if you plan to find lodging during the Tulip Festival plan on booking early.
Thanks, Mom! Not having to book lodging is certainly a perk of the day trip! Considering the amount of people and traffic I encountered, I’d say that is probably true that you should book early, if you plan to visit the Holland Tulip Time Festival from out of town. The drive from Grand Rapids is about 35 minutes, so staying a little further outside Holland and exploring other portions of West Michigan would be my recommendation if you can’t find lodging in Holland.