Q&A

1.) When are the tulips in bloom?

The City of Holland plants early, mid and late blooming variety tulips. The early tulips typically start blooming around the third week in April. Overall blooming continues through most of May depending on the weather. The peak is usually around Mother's Day or a few days later. If we have a warm spring or hard rain, the tulips will bloom more quickly. For example, in 2001 they finished around May 19th . If we have a normal or cool spring, some tulips may last the entire month of May. Of course, if you visit in mid to late May, you will see some stems from the early/mid variety tulips.

2.) Can I wait to get tickets at the festival?

We recommend that you do order tickets in advanced however it is not always necessary, and it really depends on what events you plan to attend during the Festival. Tickets for all shows held at Central Wesleyan are reserved by section and row. Other shows are for the most part general admission, however they may already be sold out. Bleacher seats for the parades usually are not sold out, however they are also reserved by section and row so ordering early will help you obtain the row and section you want. All attraction tickets can be purchased at the attraction's entrance.

3.) Is parking a problem?

Most show venues and attractions have their own parking lot. Parking can be a problem in the downtown area. There are some public parking lots in downtown that are free. All other parking is along the side streets. The City of Holland does not have meters. Central Wesleyan does have adequate, free parking.

4.) Is there a shuttle?

Unfortunately, the festival does not have a shuttle system. Visitors coming into town are encouraged to have their own means of transportation since the festivities are held throughout the entire city not in one gated area.

5.) Which hotel is closest to the festivities?

The festival is held throughout the entire city, not in one gated area. The furthest two distances are approximately 10 minutes apart, driving time, with normal traffic patterns. Most hotels are along US 31, which runs right through Holland and is very convenient to all venues. A few attractions are even located right on US 31, along with many restaurants.

6.) When is the best time to come to the festival?

It depends on what you are interested in. The most popular days tend to be Wednesday through the last Saturday because of the parades and headline entertainment that is offered. The first weekend is a great time for families with the festival offering Kinderplaats (outdoor event for children 12 and under), KunstMarkt Art and Craft Fair (for the adults), and our annual fireworks with musical entertainment and a carnival atmosphere. The last weekend is most known for our grand finale, the Muziekparade, showcasing many marching bands, floats, horses and more! If you are only interested in the tulips, please see question #1.

7.) When do tickets go on sale?

Typically, the office begins taking orders the first of October, or as soon as the tour book is finalized. Orders are filled according to the date they are received with full payment.

8.) What shows are sold out?

This changes on a daily and often hourly basis. We try to keep the web site as up-to-date as possible regarding availability, however with the high volume of orders being placed this task can be difficult. There is a small delay between the time an order is placed on the web and the time our Ticket Coordinator begins processing the order, however we will do our best to fulfill all requests. If there is ever a problem with an order already placed, our friendly staff will contact you via phone regarding options available to you.

9.) What is the nearest airport?

The closest major airport is Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids (abbreviated as GRR), about 40 minutes away. They offer the following passenger airlines.

  • ATA Connection
  • American Eagle / American Airlines
  • Continental Express
  • Delta Air Lines / Delta Connection
  • Northwest / Northwest Airlink
  • Midwest Connect (Skyway Airlines)
  • United / United Express
  • US Airways Express

10.) Is the festival handicap accessible?

The festival is held throughout the city, not one contained area. All show venues are wheelchair accessable. There are a few grassy areas that may make pushing a wheelchair difficult. Our trolley tours do have some wheelchair accessible trolleys, however they are not available every run. It is recommended that one visit the trolley booth in the early morning to secure a ticket for the appropriate run.

11.) Do you have local transportation if I arrive by bus or train?

Holland does have a few cab companies and a public transportation system, however bringing your own vehicle is the easiest way to see our festival since it is held throughout the entire city. Please click here for a list of these transportation companies.

13.) Why don't my tickets have a seat number on them?

All shows held at Central Wesleyan Auditorium as well as bleacher tickets for the parades are reserved by section and row only. Specific seats are not assigned.