Tulip Time Schedule & Attractions
Explore the events and activities of Pella's Tulip Time below! Stay tuned for a daily schedule for the weekend, coming soon.
Schedule is subject to change.
Looking for a place to stay? Click here for a list of accomodations.
Tulips and Where to See Them
Tulip Avenue in Central Park and Sunken Gardens Park
The City of Pella plants tens of thousands of tulips throughout these two 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 Main and Broadway 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 and 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. Once the tulips have finished blooming, they are replaced with annuals so that the garden remains enjoyable through autumn.
Central College
812 University Street
Nearly 15,000 tulips will bloom on Central College’s beautiful campus. 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.
Annual Tulip Bulb Sales and Flower Show
Scholte House (East Entrance), 728 Washington Street
9:00am - 6:00pm
See beautiful arrangements using tulips in the historic home of Pella's founder Dominie Scholte. Order your tulip bulbs here! Sponsored by the Pella Garden Club.
Grandstand Shows
Grandstand shows begin at 1:00pm each day. Bleacher seating is available, as well as park seating. Park tickets provide some shaded seating and are an excellent option for guests in wheelchairs and walker seats.
The afternoon Grandstand show features Dutch dancing and singing, the Parade of Provinces (a historic Dutch costume style show), presentation of the Tulip Queen and her Court, the famous street scrubbing and cheese market, and more!
Tickets will be available to purchase online soon - bleacher seats are $12 per person, park seating is $5 per person. Tickets can also be purchased at the Grandstand booth on the corner of Main and Franklin Streets during Tulip Time.
Feesthouden
Our evening Feesthouden show features special entertainment for free each night on the Tulip Toren stage. Special thanks to Central College for sponsoring these evening shows!
Thursday Evening - 7:00pm
Lutheran Church of Hope Worship Band
The Worship Ministry at Hope exists to help people experience the truth and love of Jesus Christ in a way that is both welcoming and life changing.
Friday Evening - 7:00pm
Sully Big Band
Kick up your heels with big band classics from this collective of musicians from Sully and surrounding communities.
Saturday Evening - 6:30pm
Sam Moss Music
A soulful singer-songwriter and American Idol Season 20 Contestant, Sam Moss is on a mission to awaken a mindful, empowered, and heart-centered audience. A Central College graduate, Same returns to Pella for this performance.
A special treat for everyone in the downtown area is the fireworks display on Friday night. Sponsored by Pella Corporation, this fireworks show is visible from the downtown area.
Performances
Keep an eye out for pop-up performances throughout the three days of Tulip Time, or plan to see a show at one of Pella's historic venues!
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 Dutch costume, complete with wooden shoes!
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. Weather permitting.
Organ Recital in the Dutch Tradition
Second Reformed Church, 1 block south of Square
12:00 Noon
In the tradition of Netherlands noontime organ recitals, Kris DeWild and Davis Folkerts present a recital of classic organ music at noon each day of Tulip Time. All are welcome!
Pella Opera House
611 Franklin Street
A beautiful historic theatre showcases a variety of performances appropriate for all ages. This year they will be showcasing The Reluctant Pioneer – the story of Maria Scholte, the Matt Barber Experience, and the Central College Flying Pans Steel Band. Learn more at their website.
Union Street Players present Elephant and Piggie's 'We Are In a Play!’
Pella Community Center, Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium, 712 Union Street
Thursday-Saturday at 4:30pm
Based on the wildly popular characters from the book series by Mo Willems, this duo is always on the go! Kids and parents will love the magic, message, and downright silliness! Tickets are available at the door, and will also be available here.
Parades
We have two parades each day of Tulip Time, featuring floats, marching bands, hundreds of people in Dutch costume, and more! The afternoon parade begins at 2:30pm, and the lighted evening parade begins at 8:30pm. The parades make their way down Main Street, around Central Park, and past the Pella Historical Village on Franklin Street.
Museums
Pella Historical Village Museum & Vermeer Windmill Tour
507 Franklin Street | 9:00am – 6:00pm
Admission: $20 adult, $15 youth (5-18), 4 and under free
Learn about Pella's history and Dutch heritage! The Vermeer Windmill is one of the largest working mills in the United States. Your ticket includes a tour of the Vermeer Windmill, as well as the Historical Village - the boyhood home of Wyatt Earp, the Werkplaats, the General Store, Beason–Blommers Grist Mill, a working Dutch bakery, and more than 45,000 tulips planted throughout the Village! Tickets can be purchased at the North gate off Franklin Street.
Scholte House Museum
728 Washington Street | 9:00am – 6:00pm
Admission: $12 adult, $7 youth (5-18), 4 and under free
The Scholte House Museum is the original home of Dominie H.P. Scholte, the founder of Pella. Located behind the house are the Scholte Gardens, featuring bronze statues and thousands of colorful tulips. Learn more here.
Tuttle Cabin
608 Lincoln Street | 10:00am – 2:00pm
The Thomas and Nancy Tuttle Log House is the oldest building in Pella. This “birthplace of Pella” is the cabin where Dominie Scholte purchased the land for the city. The Tuttle Learning Walk behind the cabin shares the early history of the county as well as the story of Dominie Scholte and the journey of the Dutch from the Netherlands to the prairie of Iowa.
Fire House Museum
614 Main Street | 12:00 Noon – 2:00pm, 4:00 – 8:00pm
This reconstructed 1882 building houses an antique fire engine, antique fire fighting equipment and fire-fighting memorabilia, as well as a cold, desolate jail.
Pella Rolscreen Depot Museum
102 Main Street | Thursday–Saturday, 8:00am – 8:00pm
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this museum contains memorabilia of its early days as an important stop on the railroad system. It contains historical documents related to the growth of Rolscreen Company, from its move to Pella in 1926 through today’s Pella Corporation.
Veteran’s Museum
Memorial Building, 829 Broadway Street | 10:00am – 2:00pm
Discover artifacts from the Civil War through the Global War on Terror with most items donated by Pella citizens. Sponsored by the VFW/American Legion.
Displays and Activities
Dutch Masters Antique Auto Display
Washington Street Parking Lot west of Scholte House, 712 Washington Street | 8:30am – 7:30pm
Check out a variety of antique cars spanning the 20th century. Sponsored by the Dutch Masters.
Antique Implement Display
Franklin Street between West First and West Second | 9:00am – 7:00pm
View many tractors and antique implements representing Iowa's agricultural past and present. Sponsored by Red Rock Threshers.
Quilt Show
Pella Memorial Building, 829 Broadway Street | 10:00am – 6:00pm
Admission $5
More than 100 quilts, raffle quilt, and gift boutique items, all created by Pella Area Quilt Guild members.
Historic Pella Photo Display
Pella Opera House, Great Hall | 611 Franklin Street | 1:30pm – 5:30pm
Admission $5
Unlimited access to the Great Hall and Historic Pella Photo display as well as the Opera House restrooms.
Martini Huis
Pella Opera House, 2nd floor, 611 Franklin Street
1:30pm – 7:30pm, no cover
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 City Tour
640 Franklin Street | 8:30am – 12:15pm, 4:00 – 6:00pm
Admission: $8 adult, $5 youth (under 18)
Explore the beautiful town of Pella, visit the most scenic spots, and learn about the community's Dutch heritage while relaxing on a tour wagon! Tickets are available each day throughout the festival.
Dutch Craft Market
West Market Park, 1009 Liberty Street | 9:00am – 7:00pm
Stroll through West Market Park and enjoy over one hundred booths filled with a wide variety of shopping delights.
Where to Eat
Food Booths
Dozens of food booths are located throughout the festival with a variety of amazing foods to enjoy. You'll find everything from brats and funnel cakes to authentic Dutch treats like poffertjes and Pella bologna.
Maria's Tea Room
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Thursday–Saturday | Seatings at 10:00am, 1:00pm, & 4:00pm
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Maria's Tea Room at the Scholte House Museum, 728 Franklin Street
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Advance reservations required, $15 per person. Call 641-620-9463 or email tearoom@pellahistorical.com to make your reservation.
Enjoy a delicious Dutch koffie tijd in a historical setting at Maria's Tea Room, located in the Scholte House Museum. While you eat, hear the story of Maria Scholte, the wife of Pella's founder, who made the Scholte house her home.
Dutch Dinner Show
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Wednesday–Friday, 5:00pm
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Graham Conference Center at Central College, 812 University Street
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Advance reservations required, $25 per person. Call 641-628-7679 to reserve.
Enjoy traditional Dutch dishes prepared by Central College Catering. Performances from the Dutchesses on Wednesday, the Tulip Queen and Court on Thursday, and the Dutch Family Singers on Friday. Cash bar available. Located five blocks from downtown Pella. Free parking (no shuttles are available).
Fly–In Breakfast
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Pella Municipal Airport, 501 West 15th Street
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Saturday, 7:00 – 10:00am
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Admission: $10 adult, $6 children 5 and under
Antique, classic, experimental, and corporate aircraft on display. Breakfast served by Pella United Methodist Church.
Amenities
Immanuel Reformed Fellowship offers a Family Rest Stop located behind Franklin Street Clothing (612 Franklin Street). The entrance faces the alley behind the store. The Family Rest Stop offers a private area for nursing mothers, free popcorn, coffee, water, and a single stall bathroom.
Third Church will have nursing and changing areas, along with the wheelchairs and first aid tent, all located on the west side of Central Park. Refreshments will be available.
Second Reformed Church hosts a baby changing and nursing station inside the “Gathering Space” of the church building, located at 612 Broadway Street. Available 1:00 – 7:00pm.
Sunday Worship
Thanksgiving and Praise Service
Vermeer Global Pavilion, 2110 Vermeer Road
Sunday, May 8 | 11:00am
Join us for worship, music and praise. Our guest speaker is Van Hardin, retired radio personality who is a true people lover, driven by serving God and people.
