Tulip Time Announces Expanded Dates, Lineup for 2025 Festival
Tulip Time Festival, Inc. is expanding festival dates for the 2025 festival, starting the first Friday of May, as opposed to the first Saturday of May. Tulip Time is also celebrating the 90th anniversary of Dutch Dance and releasing the festival schedule for 2025. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, October 29, 2025 at 9:00 am EST.
Expanded Dates
“We are so excited to be able to start the festival a day early this year!” said Gwen Auwerda, Executive Director of Tulip Time. “We looked at all of our data and realized the tulips are here, our out-of-town guests are here, let’s just start the party early! So we’re bringing some entertainment to town the first Friday of May this year.”
The official festival dates for 2025 will be Friday, May 2 through Sunday, May 11, 2025. There will be festival-related activities and entertainment every day of the festival.
90th Anniversary of Dutch Dance
Dutch Dance has been an integral part, and one of the most popular parts, of Tulip Time since 1935, six years after the start of Tulip Time. Since then, folk music and folk dances have been created to reflect Dutch culture. All the costumes used in Dutch Dance are historically accurate and hand-sewn by local seamstresses. Since its inception, Dutch Dance has evolved into the spectacle it is today, with klomping heard for blocks around, and the Dutch Dancers of Holland, Michigan, are world-famous.
To celebrate 90 years of Dutch Dance, Tulip Time will organize its’ traditional Dutch Dance performances, Dutch Dance Lessons, a Dutch Lunch and Style show, and, new this year, De Familiedans (the family dance), a Dutch Dance experience designed specifically for parents and children from baby to early elementary age.
Spring Lineup
Rodney Atkins
Country music star, Rodney Atkins, will perform at Tulip Time on Friday, May 9 at Central Wesleyan Church. Atkins expresses a refreshing simplicity and sincerity that reflects the values he holds so dear: putting family first, making the most of what you have, and staying true to yourself in a rapidly changing world. Atkins is a family-friendly show that is sure to please the country music fan. Atkins plays at Central Wesleyan Church on Friday, May 9.
Forever Motown
Forever Motown is a group of wildly talented musicians who come together to perform all the top Motown hits crowds know and love. This singing, dancing, get-up-out-of-your-seat show is top-notch entertainment for fans of the best music to come out of the 60s and 70s. Forever Motown performs on Wednesday, May 7 at Central Wesleyan Church.
Second Hand News
Second Hand News revives the Fleetwood Mac experience with veteran local musicians delivering spot-on harmonies and dynamic performances. Performing at the Holland Civic Center Place, this is the perfect show to get up and move to the hits and deep cuts from Fleetwood Mac’s catalog. Second Hand News performs on Saturday, May 3
Great Scott!
Great Scott, a dynamic West Michigan cover band, offers a unique musical experience. With a repertoire spanning the best hits from the 70s through the 90s, this six-piece group delivers high-energy performances that transport audiences back in time. Great Scott creates an immersive atmosphere that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Great Scott! performs on Friday, May 2, at the Holland Civic Center Place.
Other musical acts include the Holland American Legion Band, the Dutch Music Organ Concert, and FiddleFire. Details on musical acts can be found at TulipTime.com
Hands-on Experiences
Tulip Time is introducing a number of hands-on experiences in 2025 to engage the community and guests alike! With local experts guiding these workshops and classes, participants are sure to come away with something special.
VIP Tours
In 2024, Tulip Time introduced VIP Tours, an experience where locals and guests can hop on a motorcoach at the start of the day and get VIP access to all the best Tulip Time and Holland have to offer, while being escorted by a costumed guide. Because of their wild popularity last year, Tulip Time has tripled the number of tours running to give as many people as possible a chance to enjoy Tulip Time in luxury. Tours run three times daily.
Wooden Shoe Painting Class
Local artist Carolyn Stitch will guide participants through painting a decorative wooden shoe with her unique style. Participants will be provided with shoes, paints, and brushes, making the experience easy and seamless. Students will be able to take their shoes home with them immediately after class.
Cutting Board Workshop
The craftsmen from Cento Anni are offering a workshop where students will be able to finish their own cutting board, perfect for charcuterie and entertaining. Experts will guide students through the finishing process of a prepared piece of walnut as they learn different finishing techniques, types of cutting boards, and edges. All supplies and equipment will be provided.
Fused Glass Plant Stake Workshop
Glass artist Karen K. McCann invites guests to design and create a unique fused glass tulip plant stake. Perfect for commemorating your festival experience. All materials are provided, and no experience is needed.
Wine & Cheese Tasting
Culture Cheese Shop’s Elizabeth Sluiter will take guests through a Dutch cheese-tasting experience. She’ll pair six Dutch cheeses with different wines and the official Tulip Time beer to give guests a new angle on Dutch culture.
Other hands-on experiences include Tulip Times’ Photo Walk, Floral Arranging Class, and Historic Walking Tours, all led by local experts.
Returning Favorites
Also returning to Tulip Time are the Tulip Time Run, the Artisan Market, the Tulip Immersion Garden, the Gentex Kinderparade and the Quality Car Wash Volksparade, Dutch Dance performances, the Tulip Time Fireworks in partnership with LAUP, the Carnival at Midway, and Historic Walking Tours.
Tickets go on sale, on our website, on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.