Michigan’s Most Dutch Town Now Has a Dutch Christmas Festival
In a town known for tulips, something else takes over Holland, Michigan, in early December. The flowers get a rest, and the holiday season gets a Dutch twist. Dutch Winterfest returns for its second year, turning the first week of December into a celebration of the traditions.
Dutch Winterfest weaves several Holland holiday events into an extended five-day festival. Whether you’re looking for shopping, ice skating, Sinterklaas, or sparkling lights, Holland has you covered.
Here’s what to know about Dutch Winterfest, what’s new in 2026, and how to make the most of your visit.
Dutch Winterfest Planning Details
Dutch Winterfest isn’t one big event in one location. It’s a collection of new and returning activities happening around downtown Holland over five days.
“We’ve always celebrated Sinterklaas, which is the Dutch Santa who visits children the first weekend of December. It just kind of came together deciding we needed to celebrate more Dutch winter events around the Sinterklaas event,” Gwen Auwerda, executive director of Tulip Time in Holland, told FOX 17.
A little advance planning can help you choose when to visit and what to fit into your Holland getaway.
- Dates: Tuesday, Dec. 1, through Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026
- Location: Downtown Holland, Michigan
- Parking: Downtown public parking is available in lots and parking decks. Check the city’s parking information for locations and any event-day updates.
- Hours: Vary by event; check the official schedule before you go
- Cost: Some activities are ticketed, while others are free. Prices vary.
The Dutch Winterfest Events
These events are part of Dutch Winterfest, though some run beyond the festival’s Dec. 1–5 dates. Check each one’s schedule so you know when to catch it.
“Some events are only for one day while the public art is up for the 5 days of the festival. Come enjoy the festivities in the community where restaurants, retail stores and the community come together to celebrate Dutch Winterfest,” Auwerda added.
Delft Downtown
Delft Downtown returns with four Dutch-inspired art installations along 8th Street. Look for large metal sculptures, oversized ornaments by local artists, painted wooden shoes, and a warmly lit alley decorated with Delft-inspired banners.
Dutch Skate
Dutch dancers trade their wooden shoes for skates in this new Winterfest attraction at the Holland Ice Park. Watch them glide across the ice in traditional Dutch attire to festive music.
Holland Ice Park
Holland Ice Park gives visitors a place to skate or try curling downtown. It features an ice-skating pond, a 700-foot skating ribbon, and a dedicated curling sheet. Buy tickets.
Holland Parade of Lights
The Parade of Lights brings more than 80 illuminated floats, vehicles, walkers, and marching bands through downtown, with Santa arriving at the Holland Civic Center Place.
Kerstmarkt
Holland’s Kerstmarkt brings a little European holiday-market atmosphere to downtown, with local artisans selling handmade gifts, seasonal décor, and crafts.
Magic at the Mill
Windmill Island Gardens lights up for Magic at the Mill, with 1,000 LED tulips dancing to a synchronized music and light show. Buy tickets here.
Holiday Huis Tour
The self-guided Holiday Huis Tour takes visitors behind normally closed doors and upstairs into downtown Holland buildings and homes. Buy tickets.
Proost! Tasting Tour
This 21-and-older guided tour pairs Dutch-inspired bites with drinks at three downtown stops
Sinterklaas Shuffle
Follow Sinterklaas and his crew on a self-guided holiday adventure through downtown Holland.
Winter Tales for Tots
Little ones ages 5 and under get a taste of Dutch holiday traditions at this story time for young children and their caregivers. Expect stories, music, Dutch dancing and costumes, and plenty of Dutch treats.
Who Is Sinterklaas?
Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas, a gift-giving figure celebrated in early December. He helped inspire the American Santa Claus, but he’s a distinct character with his own traditions, including arriving and visiting children on the evening of Dec. 5.
Performances & Concerts for Dutch Winterfest
Dutch Winterfest also brings live theater and music to the holiday lineup. Check the event pages for ticket details and any schedule updates.
- Holland Community Theatre: Just in the Nick of Time (Dec. 2 & 3): Santa is missing, and a spirited detective must find him.
- Winter Jazz Concert (Dec. 4): A seasonal concert featuring the Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra.
- Michigan-IO Holiday Show (Dec. 5): Michigan-IO brings Great Lakes folk music, regional storytelling, and holiday favorites together in a festive performance.
Head to Holland This Holiday Season
While there are so many fun events during December in Holland, festival planners learned a little something special about why guests loved it so much in its inaugural year.
“Public art is a big draw for people already downtown shopping and enjoying our heated sidewalks and Kertsmarkt,” Auwerda told us, adding, “We’ve increased our public art for 2026 and have added new events.”
Whether you come to stroll, sip, shop, or skate, there’s something special happening this December in Holland. While the tulip bulbs might be enjoying a long winter’s nap, you’ll still get to see lights blooming in anticipation of the upcoming spring.