Tulips are blossoming throughout Holland this time of year – Photo by Joel Grimsley
By Joel Grimsley, Arts Editor
Thousands of tulips and visitors filled the streets of downtown Holland last week as the city marked the return of its 96th annual Tulip Time Festival, the 10-day celebration of Dutch heritage and springtime blooms.
The festival, which runs through Sunday, May 11, unfolds across multiple locations, most within a four-mile radius of the city’s downtown. Entry to Holland and its public tulip displays is free, with rows of colorful flowers lining streets and city parks. Ticketed events such as walking tours, dance performances and carnivals require separate admission.
Organizers say the 2025 edition is drawing especially large crowds, leading to traffic congestion and limited parking, particularly during peak weekend hours.
A traditional butch windmill that has been built in Holland – Photo by Philippe Beaubois
“It’s a beautiful time of year, and people really come from all over to see it,” said a festival volunteer. “But you definitely need a little patience when it comes to driving and parking.”
“I like to go during Tulip Time,” said sophomore Kerrigan Smedley. “I like to look at all the pretty flowers and maybe catch one of the Dutch dances; those are really fun to watch.”
Highlights of the festival include historic walking tours and Dutch Dance performances which showcase both traditional Dutch Dancing and Dutch attire such as the iconic wooden shoes, or klompen while dancers perform choreographed routines in the streets to the delight of onlookers, celebrating a cultural tradition passed down through generations.
Dutch dancers with their klompen – Photo by Joel Grimsley
Throughout the event free dutch dancing lessons were open for the public to learn some of the traditional dances. “I happened to participate in one of the Dutch dancing lessons,” Smedley said, “Where some of the Dutch dancers taught us a minute 30 second part of their dance.”
Another major attraction is the annual Kinderparade, held Thursday, May 8, on 8th Street. Thousands of spectators lined the route as local school children marched in costume alongside marching bands and decorative floats. As is tradition, Holland Mayor Nathan Bocks and members of the city council opened the parade with a ceremonial inspection of the route.
While the festival includes several ticketed attractions such as a carnival geared toward younger children, many independent sites and activities are also available throughout the week.
The carnival is located right in downtown Holland – Photo by Joel Grimsley
Holland is famous for its Dutch culture across the United States, the festival offers local businesses a chance to capitalise on their heritage with the thousands of visitors. “There’s definitely some people who are very in tune with their Heritage and will celebrate it, but they’re not doing it on as big a display,” Smedley said. “I feel like some of the people who are doing it just do it to turn a profit because that’s what Hollands known for… I feel like it’s more commercialized.”
Each year, according to their website, Tulip Time Festival draws an estimated half a million visitors from across the country and abroad. With vibrant flower beds, dance, food, and community spirit, the event remains one of West Michigan’s most anticipated spring traditions.
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