Millions of Tulips Bloom Across Holland for Annual Festival

HOLLAND, MI — Anticipation is building for the 97th annual Tulip Time Festival, which will showcase between 5 to 6 million tulips across downtown Holland from Windmill Island to the Veldheers Tulip Farm. The festival runs Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 10, 2026.

Last year, the festival welcomed its largest crowd to date, drawing nearly 1 million visitors who flocked to see the spectacular floral display. The city parks department plants more than half a million bulbs through the main corridors and throughout city parks each year, with thousands more bulbs kept in greenhouses for parade and festival events.

Tulip Tracker Helps Monitor Bloom Progress

The city's Tulip Tracker is now live at cityofholland.com/1022/Tulip-Tracker, allowing visitors to livestream the buds and blooms happening at Window at the Waterfront and Centennial Park. The website also features a virtual tour and a video following the bulbs' journey from Holland to Holland, Michigan.

More than 100 varieties of late-blooming tulip bulbs are imported annually from the Netherlands to create the glorious display. Without fail, the city parks department and Tulip Time offices receive calls weeks and months in advance from visitors asking if the tulips are blooming on time, making the visual tracker a helpful resource for floral fans.

Holland Museum Event Features Dutch Author

As part of the Tulip Time 2026 celebrations, the Holland Museum will host a free community event on Thursday, May 7 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Award-winning Dutch author Anne-Gine Goemans will share the story behind "Ziekzoekers," her compelling novel about a Dutch bulb-growing family. Goemans will also offer a sneak peek into the research for her upcoming novel, which is inspired in part by Holland, Michigan.

"It's a unique chance to connect literature, heritage, and local history during one of Holland's most beloved celebrations," according to the Holland Museum.

The event is free for all attendees, with a $10 donation encouraged. The Holland Museum is located at 31 West 10th Street in Holland.

Ticketed Experiences and Free Viewing

While viewing the flowers at the city parks is free, several experiences require tickets. The Tulip Immersion Garden, Windmill Island tours, and floral arranging classes are among the ticketed experiences available. Event schedules and advance ticket purchases can be made at tuliptime.com.

Holland to Holland Tour Informational Meeting

In related news, Holland is also preparing to launch the Holland to Holland tour, a special nine-day tour taking travelers back to Dutch roots. The tour launches in October 2026, with an informational meeting scheduled for April 14 at Windmill Island Gardens for interested travelers.