Tulip Time Parades

2026 Parade Participation

Each May, the streets of Holland burst with color, music, and community spirit during the Tulip Time parades—and you’re invited to be part of the tradition! Whether you’re representing a school, organization, or neighborhood group, marching in a Tulip Time parade is a chance to celebrate our Dutch heritage, showcase creativity, and join thousands of smiling spectators in one of Michigan’s most cherished spring events.

Want to join the fun? Parade participation applications open later this year! Sign up below to receive an email alert when registration goes live, along with important updates and tips to help your group get parade-ready for Tulip Time.

Applications

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Let's make it the best year yet!

TURN IT UP: To make a parade entry more auditorily appealing, incorporate lively, rhythmic music that complements your theme and energizes the crowd. Use high-quality sound systems to ensure clarity and include live performers, such as musicians or vocalists. Integrate engaging sound effects and interactive audio elements to create a dynamic and immersive experience.

DRESS IT UP: Enhance a parade entry’s visual appeal by using bright, contrasting colors or dynamic, eye-catching designs. Incorporate large, vibrant floats with detailed decorations and creative lighting. Add movement with animated elements and use thematic costumes to create a cohesive and memorable visual experience that stands out from the crowd.

PLAY IT UP: To make a parade entry more interactive and entertaining, incorporate live performers who engage with the crowd, use vibrant costumes and props, and include interactive elements like themed elements. Encourage audience participation through sing-alongs and performances, and ensure there's visual and auditory appeal to captivate spectators.

Parade Guidelines

GENERAL GUIDELINES 

1. Maintain forward momentum. Each unit must keep moving and may not slow or stop along the route. Parades maintain a brisk pace; all participants must be prepared to keep pace.
2. Align with Tulip Time’s mission. Entries must incorporate one or more elements of Tulip Time’s mission: to welcome the world to our community by celebrating tulips, Dutch heritage, and Holland today.
3. Entry approval. Tulip Time staff may approve exceptions for unique entries with strong visual appeal and/or entries that actively engage and entertain spectators.
4. Participant appearance. All participants must be in uniform attire, Dutch costume, or attire that matches the entry theme. The planned attire must be described in the application.
5. No handouts or thrown items. For the safety of participants and spectators, no handouts and no items thrown along the route or in the assembly/dispersal areas are permitted. Violators will be removed from the parade route.
6. Identification banner/signage required. Each unit must include an identification banner/signage that includes a salute to Tulip Time (example: “Quality Car Wash Welcomes You to Tulip Time!”). Each entry is responsible for providing its own banner/signage. Banners are limited to one per group, except for the Presenting Parade Sponsor.
7. No issue-oriented entries. Issue-oriented entries will not be accepted. Tulip Time staff reserves the right to determine whether an entry is in the best interest of the Festival.
8. Riders/mascots must keep pace. Riders/mascots must remain in their vehicle for the entire parade or maintain a fast walking pace. Entries must not stop or create delays.
9. Kinderparade eligibility. Applicants for the Kinderparade must be child- or family-oriented organizations.
10. Music must match your application. If you indicate no music on your application, you may not have music on parade day. The lineup is arranged to avoid placing musical entries next to one another.
11. Animal units. Animal units must have prior parade experience, verification that animals are parade-safe, and a designated clean-up crew.
12. Helium balloons size limit. Helium parade balloons may not exceed 30 feet long/high by 15 feet wide.

 WALKING UNIT GUIDELINES 

1. Maximum walkers: No more than 30 walkers per entry on the route, unless an exception is approved by Tulip Time staff.
2. Route requirement: Walking participants must be able to complete the full parade route (up to 1.5 miles).
3. Wagons/strollers/scooters: Allowed only with prior permission from Tulip Time staff (this includes Street Scrubbing and Dutch Dogs).

VEHICLE GUIDELINES 

1. Allowed vehicles: Vehicles are limited to those used to pull a float, convertibles (five years old or newer), or antique/classic cars (20 years old or older). If your vehicle does not meet these criteria, contact the parade director to discuss.
2. Idling note: Parade participation often requires extended idling. This can be challenging for motorcycles, classic cars, etc., and should be considered before entering.

FLOAT GUIDELINES 

1. Skirting and decoration: Floats must be skirted, and all objects should be fully decorated in floral sheeting or an equivalent material.
2. Resources:
   1. www.creativefloats.com
   2. www.defrellbuilders.com
   3. www.theparade.org
3. Height limit: Floats may not exceed 12.5 feet in height.
4. Driver/tow vehicle requirement: Each float must have its own driver and towing vehicle. Riders are not permitted in the back of the towing vehicle.

BAND GUIDELINES 

1. Uniforms: Bands must wear matching professional uniforms. Insignia, images, additions, or alterations to the uniform are not permitted.
2. Support personnel: Each band director may have up to three (3) additional support people accompany the band (assistant director, first aid, water carrier, etc.).
3. Hydration/nutrition: Band directors are responsible for proper hydration and nutrition of band members, starting as early as the day before the parade.
4. Route length: The parade route for both parades is roughly 1.5 miles.
5. Cadence expectation: Bands are expected to use a cadence of MM 120–132.

MEDIA GUIDELINES 

1. Media notes required: Provide media notes. Applications that leave this section blank will not be accepted.
2. How to write notes: Write in third person from the TV announcer’s perspective (not first person as the organization). Keep it brief—announcers may shorten long notes.

FIREARMS GUIDELINES 

1. Ceremonial use only: Firearms are permitted for ceremonial purposes only and will not be loaded.
2. Rifle carry position: Rifles must be carried over the shoulder only.
3. Live firearms: Only active police personnel may have live firearms.
4. Inspection: Entries including firearms will be inspected before step-off by the Holland Police Department.

Tulip Time staff reserves the right to accept or deny all applications. Parade-day deviations from the accepted application, violations of these guidelines, or inappropriate behavior may result in an entry being excluded from one or more of the 2026 parades.

If you have questions about these guidelines or the application process, please contact Chad Mesbergen at chad@tuliptime.com or 616-396-4221 ext. 108.

Gentex Kinderparade

The Gentex Kinderparade at Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan, showcases local children in traditional Dutch costumes. They march through downtown, representing different Dutch provinces, accompanied by bands and floats. Residents and guests will dress in Dutch costumes and join bands, floats, and street scrubbers to celebrate the city's heritage. This colorful parade highlights the community’s pride in its Dutch heritage and cultural traditions. 

May 7, 2026 @ 2:00 - 4:00pm

Quality Car Wash Volksparade 

The Quality Car Wash Volksparade, part of Holland's Tulip Time Festival, features a lively procession through downtown. Residents and guests will dress in Dutch costumes to join bands and floats to celebrate the city's heritage. The parade emphasizes community participation, tradition, and the vibrant spirit of Dutch culture. 

May 9, 2026 @ 2:00 - 4:00pm

Video coverage of the parades is provided by the City of Holland.

Watch past parades at: CityOfHolland