Tulip Time Events & Activities
Schedule is subject to change. Visit our "Tulip Time Info" page for more details.
Museums
Pella Historical Village & Vermeer Windmill Tour
The Historical Village and Vermeer Windmill ticket includes a tour of the Vermeer Windmill as well as the Miniature Dutch Village, the Wyatt Earp Boyhood Home, the Werkplaats, Beason-Blommers Grist Mill, Dutch Bakery, gift shop, historical exhibits, and more than 45,000 tulips planted throughout the Village. The Wyatt Earp Experience takes you on a journey through the life of the famous Western lawman in his childhood home. Craft demonstrations throughout the day include woodworking, rope making, knitting, Hindeloopen painting, quilting, wooden shoe production, and Dutch letter baking.
​
​When you visit the Vermeer Windmill, you'll tour five floors, from the base of the mill where grain is brought in, to the top floor where grain is milled. It’s one of the tallest working windmills in North America! Please note that not all levels are handicap accessible.
​​
​
Scholte House Museum
The "grande dame" of Pella is the 175-year-old Scholte House. Built by Hendrik Scholte for his wife Maria in 1847 and 1848 over a period of just six months, the home sits on what is now the north side of Pella's square, a testament to the craftsmanship and care of our founding fathers and mothers. Tour the home to learn more about the early days of Pella and the life of its founder.
​​
Along with Pella Historical Museums sites, stroll around the Tuttle Cabin, learn from the Fire House Museum, tour the Vermeer Corporation Museum and the Pella Corporation Museum, and explore the Veterans Museum.
​
Tulips
It’s the biggest draw of the festival, so be sure to see them all!
Tulip Avenue in Central Park (Downtown Pella)
Sunken Gardens Park (Two blocks north of Central Park on Main Street)
Brinkhoff Park (Corner of Washington Street & Fifield Road) - Visit a photo op in the shape of a large wooden shoe! The shoe is large enough for groups and is wheelchair accessible for everyone to get the perfect picture!
​
The City of Pella plants tens of thousands of tulips throughout these three parks in celebration of Pella’s Dutch heritage. Especially vibrant and colorful is the Tulip Avenue in Central Park, which runs from the north fountain to the center of the park. An immense variety of tulips are showcased along this sidewalk.
Scholte House Gardens
Corner of Broadway & Washington Streets
​Behind the Historic Scholte House Museum are the beautiful Scholte Gardens. Featuring more than 35,000 tulips, the gardens are free and open to the public. At one time, this land was under the care of Maria Scholte, the wife of Pella's founder Dominie Hendrik P. Scholte. Here you'll find benches to rest on, art sculptures to admire, a gazebo for shade, and many varieties of tulips. Once the tulips have finished blooming, they are replaced with annuals so that the garden remains enjoyable through autumn.
Fair Haven Memorial Garden
Corner of East 3rd & Union Streets
​This popular garden was originally planted in 1947 with tulip bulbs donated by the Netherlands in gratitude for war-relief aid sent by the citizens of Pella after World War II. Today these gardens feature more than 13,000 tulips. The Memorial Garden also features two monuments listing more than 800 local veterans who served in WWII.
Central College
812 University Street
​Nearly 15,000 tulips bloom on Central College’s beautiful campus each spring. The main tulip beds are located in the plaza by Graham Conference Center, east and north sides of Central Hall, Jordan Plaza, Peace Mall, and Weller Flag Garden, with various other small beds and at the campus cornerstones. Approximately 30 different varieties bloom throughout the spring.
​Pella Garden Club's Annual Flower Show
​See beautiful arrangements using tulips in the historic home of Pella's founder Dominie Scholte. Sponsored and organized by the Pella Garden Club.
​Speakers, Fresh Tulips, & Spring Bulb Pre-Sales with Barnswallow Flowers
​Purchase fresh-cut tulips that are specially designed and packaged by local farmer Meredith Nunnikhoven of Barnswallow Flowers. Add color to your garden by purchasing a collection of spring bulbs shipped to your front door in the fall. A portion of each sale is donated to Pella Historical Museums and Tulip Time.
​
​Thistles Flower Market Carts
Nestled in downtown Pella since 1985, Thistles Flower Market brings beauty and connects the community in every season. New this year! Thistles will be selling flowers and more from two bike carts and a pushcart throughout the festival at Sunken Gardens, Central Park, and the Molengracht.
Entertainment & Performances
Afternoon Grandstand Show
Tulip Toren on Franklin Street | 1:00pm
​
The afternoon Grandstand Show features Dutch dancing and singing, a Dutch Costume Culture Show, the presentation of the Tulip Queen and her Court, and more. The Grandstand Show is followed by the afternoon Volks parade, and your ticket includes prime seating to view the parade!
​
​
Evening Feesthouden Show
Tulip Toren on Franklin Street
7:00pm Thursday & Friday, 6:30pm on Saturday
​
Our FREE evening Feesthouden shows feature special entertainment each night.
Parades
2:45pm & 8:30pm in Downtown Pella
​The afternoon Volks parade brings Dutch culture and Pella fun to life! And the lighted evening parade shows of Pella in a whole new way. Both parades follow the conclusion of the grandstand shows on the Tulip Toren. It spans several blocks, heading north on Main Street towards Central Park, around the Square, and east to the Historical Village.​​
​
Klokkenspel
625 Franklin Street
​Pella’s Klokkenspel brings the Old World to Pella in a musical way! Enjoy the 147-bell carillon as you watch figures tell of Pella’s history and heritage. Performance times are every 30 minutes each day of Tulip Time.​
​
Pella Opera House
611 Franklin Street
Relax while enjoying a show at the Pella Opera House – a beautiful historic theater in the heart of downtown. You’ll find a Martini Huis and shows for all ages throughout the festival.​ View the Pella Opera House's website for details and tickets.
Shop, Learn, & Enjoy
Pella City Tours
640 Franklin Street
Tours available on a rolling basis, each lasting from 45 minutes to an hour, from 8:30am-12:15pm and 4:00-6:00pm.
​
Explore our beautiful town while hearing about our Dutch history and scenic spots throughout the community. You'll enjoy a one-hour ride on an open-air wagon while a knowledgeable spieler tells you about Pella's sites.
​
Dutch Craft Market
1002 Franklin Street, West Market Park
Open 9:00am-7:00pm
​
Visit West Market Park to enjoy 100+ booths filled with a variety of shopping options. Vendors interested in participating can learn more here.
​
Tulip Time Murals
Located outside the Vermeer Windmill & in the Molengracht Canal
​
Local artist Nicole Pitts has created two cheerful tulip-themed murals to honor the beauty of Pella and the Tulip Time festival. The murals are a great spot for selfie takers of all ages. Be sure to stop by for a photo to share!​
​
Quilt Show
829 Broadway Street, Pella Memorial Building
​
View dozens of beautiful, handmade quilts from talented area quilters! Sponsored and organized by the Pella Area Quilters Guild.
​​
​
Tulip Time Art Show
​
Enjoy dozens of beautiful pieces of artwork, all submitted to Pella Historical's annual Tulip Time Art Competition. The creativity and talents of local artists will be on full display, alongside curated photos showing Pella through the ages.​​
​​
​
Dutch Masters Antique Auto Display
Antique Implement Display
Tractor Rodeo
Pop-Up Performances
Enjoy presentations from and photo ops with local performers throughout the three days of Tulip Time! View the hour-by-hour schedule for times and locations, but please note that this is subject to change.
Dutch Family Singers: Listen and watch Dutch songs and traditional dances performed by an energetic group of families in Dutch costume.
Dutchesses: A group of high school women sing traditional Dutch songs and perform Dutch dances in costume, complete with wooden shoes!
Tiny Tulips: Students in grades 4th through 6th perform classic songs in Dutch such as “Happy Birthday” and “Are You Sleeping?”
Pella High School Orchestra Strolling Strings (Thursday & Friday only): Members of the Pella Community High School Orchestra perform Dutch songs and classical music on violin, viola, cello, and bass.
​
And More: The Tulip Queen & her Royal Court, famous western lawman Wyatt Earp, Pella's founders Dominie & Maria Scholte, and Nunnikhoven Farms tulip experts!
Food & Drink
Dozens of food booths are located throughout the festival area with a variety of delicious foods to enjoy. You'll find everything from brats and funnel cakes to more authentic Dutch items like poffertjes and Pella bologna. Click here for a map and menus from our 2025 vendors!
​
Maria's Tea Room
Learn about the story of Pella's founding through the eyes of Maria Scholte, the community's "founding lady." You'll enjoy a selection of Pella treats from local bakeries and meat markets, as well as your choice of Dutch teas and coffee. Seatings are available at 10am, 1pm, and 4pm. Reservations required - click here for more details.
Dutch Dinners
Enjoy an authentic Dutch meal and special entertainment at dinner served by Central College. Reservations required - stay tuned for more information.
Fly-In Pancake Breakfast
Start your day off right while viewing antique, classic, experimental, and corporate aircraft on display. Hosted by the United Methodist Church and Classic Aviation, Inc.
Amenities
Sunday Church Service
2110 Vermeer Road, Vermeer Global Pavilion
Sunday, May 4 | 11:00am
Join us for a community-wide thanksgiving and praise service that marks the official end of the three-day festival.
​
First Aid
Nursing and changing areas, along with wheelchairs and first aid tent supported by Pella Regional Health Center are located on the west side of Central Park.