Holland’s biggest annual festival is right around the corner. The 97th Annual Tulip Time Festival is coming May 1 and, with it, thousands of tulip blooms (and visitors).
Tulip Time 2026 includes a number of events and displays, both new and returning. Ahead of this year’s festivities, we’ve compiled The Sentinel’s Ultimate Guide to Tulip Time — including where to see the best blooms, what’s new, what’s returning, and where to see headline events like parades, musicians and fireworks.
The festival itself is free to attend, though many events and exhibits require paid tickets. All references to ticket availability are as of April 21.
Where can you see the tulips during Tulip Time 2026?
Tulips planted in the fall by city staff and volunteers can be seen throughout downtown Holland, including along twelve miles of Tulip Lanes, Window on the Waterfront and Centennial Park. Windmill Island Gardens, which requires an admission fee, offers a view of over 140,000 blooms and the authentic DeZwaan Windmill.
The Tulip Immersion Garden, which also requires an admission fee, is a relatively new addition that allows visitors to surround themselves with tulips at Beechwood Church. The experience was designed by horticulturist Ibo Gülsen and uses 65,000 tulips of different varieties and colors. The Immersion Garden is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 1-2 and 4-9, and 12-5 p.m. May 3 and 10.
Nelis’ Dutch Village at 12350 James St. in Holland Township boasts over 30,000 tulips inside a replica historic village, complete with animals, rides, demonstrations and green space. An admission fee is required and can be purchased online or in-person.
Veldheer Tulip Gardens at 12755 Quincy St. in Holland Township has over six million tulips, along with tens of thousands of other flowers, for easy viewing. The gardens require a ticket that can be purchased in-person. Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. May 2-10.
Are the tulips still on-track to bloom during Tulip Time 2026?
It’s true that many tulips are already in bloom in Holland, primarily downtown — but officials remain optimistic. Once they bloom, tulips typically remain for 1-2 weeks, depending on the weather.
To view progress at Centennial Park and Window on the Waterfront, visit the official tracker at cityofholland.com/1022/tulip-Tracker.
What’s new at Tulip Time in 2026?
A handful of new events and experiences have been announced for Tulip Time 2026.
What are parade and carnival details for Tulip Time 2026?
Post-COVID, Tulip Time has limited itself to two parades. The first is the Gentex Kinderparade (Children’s Parade) at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 7, featuring students from area schools in Dutch costumes. The parade begins with street scrubbing, during which the mayor and city councilmembers wear white gloves to inspect the parade route.
The route begins at Eighth Street and Columbia Avenue, continuing to Kollen Park and ending at the intersection of Van Raalte Avenue and 11th Street. The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area will serve as grand marshal.
The Quality Car Wash Volksparade (People’s Parade) starts at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9. The parade includes music, dancers and participants from across the state. Hudsonville Ice Cream will serve as grand marshal.
The carnival at Holland Civic Center will operate daily, with varying hours. Visitors can expect rides, games and fair food delights. For daily hours and to purchase wristbands, visit skerbeck.com. Of note, the carnival doesn’t allow unaccompanied minors.
The festival will conclude with a pair of dazzling aerial displays May 9. The Tulip Time Drone Show Spectacular will take place ahead of the annual Tulip Time Fireworks, in partnership with Latin Americans United for Progress.
The celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. at Kollen Park with food trucks and live music before the displays launch at dusk.
Are there guided tours for Tulip Time 2026?
Tulip Time offers a variety of guided tours.
That includes daily VIP tours — though tickets are sold out with the exception of 8:30 a.m. May 10. Those tours begin at Beechwood Church and include lunch, tickets to Windmill Island Gardens and the Tulip Immersion Garden, stops at local landmarks and Hope College, and a trip to Holland State Park to see Big Red.
Tickets are still available for historic walking tours, offered daily beginning at 8:30 a.m. Each ticket is $35, and tours begin at Window on the Waterfront. The experience includes a costumed local guide showcasing historic sites, tulip beds and more, and lasts about 75 minutes.
Tickets are also available for the Holland Highlights Tour, running at varying times May 1-10. Each ticket is $75 and includes stops at the Tulip Lanes, Kollen Park, Centennial Park and Windmill Island Gardens. The three-hour excursion also has visits to The Cappon House, Pillar Church and Hope College.
When will Dutch Dancers perform during Tulip Time 2026?
Dutch Dancing shows and lessons will be offered throughout Tulip Time 2026, including daily lessons 4-4:30 p.m. and 4:30-5 p.m. at Centennial Park running May 1-8.
For those who’d rather watch than learn, there are plenty of performances planned.
Evergreen Commons will again host the Dutch Lunch and Dance Performance running 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. May 1-2 and 4-8. Each ticket is $26. Other, free dances begin at Central Avenue in Centennial Park at 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 1-2 and 4-6.
Performances on May 7-9 will take place on Eighth Street, with evening performances at 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. May 7-8 and 6:30 and 7 p.m. May 9.
What bands and musicians will perform at Tulip Time 2026?
Several headlining acts will anchor the festival, including returning favorites and cover bands.
“Love Story: A Tribute to Taylor Swift with Rikki Lee Wilson” begins at 7 p.m. May 1 at Holland Civic Center. Wilson’s performance includes costume changes, a live band, and “all the biggest hits” from Swift. Each ticket is $45, or $30 for children under 13.
Elton Rohn, a tribute to Elton John, plays at 7 p.m. May 2 at Holland Civic Center. The band previously played at Tulip Time in 2022 and 2023. Each ticket is $45.
The Holland American Legion Band will honor the country’s anniversary with a performance at 7 p.m. May 5 at the West Ottawa High School Performing Arts Center. Each ticket is $25.
FiddleFire also returns at 7 p.m. May 6 at Central Wesleyan Church. The group has a folksy twist and instrumentation, including fiddles, guitar, bass, mandolin and percussive clogging. Each ticket is $35.
The Texas Tenors, an award-winning vocal trio and third-highest selling artist in the history of America’s Got Talent, will perform at 7 p.m. May 7 at Central Wesleyan Church. Each ticket is $45.
Michael Carbonaro, star of the truTV show “The Carbonaro Effect,” will bring his “mind-blowing magic, improvisational comedy and playful trickery” to Central Wesleyan Church at 7 p.m. May 9. Each ticket is $55, with VIP packages available for $100. The latter includes a ticket, meet-and-greet, photo op and signed item.
What other events are planned for Tulip Time 2026?
In addition to those listed above, there are a variety of arts, culture and crafting events throughout Tulip Time 2026.
What sporting events take place during Tulip Time?
The Tulip City Open Pickleball Tournament, benefiting Gateway Mission, is back for a third year in 2026. This year’s competition has expanded to four days, April 30-May 3, and will take place at MVP Sports Holland, 650 S. Waverly Road.
Entry for the competition is $60 and ends April 28. To register, visit pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/tulip-city-open-2026.
The annual Tulip Time Run begins at 8 a.m. May 2 at Kollen Park. The race includes the traditional 5K, 10K, Kids’ Fun Run and Tulip Time Virtual Run — with various registration costs. A new option this year is the Wooden Shoe Shuffle — an untimed 0.5K during which participants walk the route wearing wooden shoes.
Learn more at runsignup.com/race/mi/holland/tuliptimerun.
For the latest updates, visit tuliptime.com.
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Here’s absolutely everything you need to know about Tulip Time 2026
Reporting by Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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