Downtown Holland is Your Home for Holiday Magic!
Bring the magic back to the holidays with a visit to Downtown Holland all season long! Enjoy fun and festive events for the entire family, with a brightly lit night parade, appearances from Santa, and so much more. Save big on the gifts on your list with shopping promotions like the late night Shop ‘Til You Drop and early morning Shopping Jam. And don’t forget, our heated sidewalks means you can enjoy Downtown Holland (and even run the Holland on Ice Snowmelt 5K) no matter how much the snow is flying!
Featured Winter Events
Shop ‘Til You Drop
November 15, 2024 | 6pm – 9pm
It’s never too early start your holiday shopping…especially when you can save on all the gifts on your list! Get the holiday shopping season off to a great start and save big during Shop ‘Til You Drop, Downtown Holland’s annual late night shopping event! Participating shops and restaurants will stay open late from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm for this once a year holiday savings event on Friday, November 15, with discounts up to 30% off! Trust us, you’ll definitely want to shop ’til you drop so you don’t miss out on these amazing late night savings!
Holiday Open House
November 23, 2024 | 5PM – 8PM
During the Holiday Open House, the entire community is invited to stroll the beautifully decorated and brightly lit streets while shopping for all of your holiday gifts! Shops and restaurants will be welcoming customers with a variety of holiday promotions, including free gift wrapping, holiday refreshments, merchandise discounts, fun giveaways, and so much more! Meet Santa and his favorite elf, visit a reindeer petting corral, listen to the sounds of strolling carolers, and sample a freshly roasted chestnut!
Kerstmarkt
November 23, 2024 – December 21, 2024 | Times Vary
Experience a delightful outdoor European-style market filled with handmade holiday items, delicious food, artisan demonstrations, and so much more in Holland, Michigan! The Kerstmarkt is located in the 8th Street Marketplace at the corner of 8th Street and Pine Avenue in front of the Holland Civic Center Place, and we are open select weekend hours from November 23 through December 21. We offer free onsite parking, and we are in close proximity to Holland’s beautiful downtown! Find the perfect gift for everyone on your list (or even treat yourself to something nice!) by browsing from over 30 unique artisan vendors, and even enjoy a variety of special holiday events and guests!
Parade of Lights
December 3, 2024 | 6:30 pm
Santa Claus arrives in Downtown Holland during the annual Parade of Lights, escorted by over 80 floats, commercial vehicles, walkers, and marching bands…all decked out from top to bottom in thousands of sparkling lights! Come see why this brightly lit holiday procession on Tuesday, December 3 is a holiday tradition for the entire community! The Parade of Lights will begin at the corner of 8th Street and Columbia Avenue at 6:30 pm sharp and proceed west down 8th Street until it reaches the Holland Civic Center Place at 150 West 8th Street, home of the Holiday Kerstmarkt!
Sinterklaas Shuffle
Fri & Sat, December 6 & 7, 2024 | Times Vary
Join Sinterklaas and his friends for a wonderful trip to fun and faraway places without leaving downtown Holland! Sinterklaas will welcome families downtown to celebrate this Dutch holiday tradition. Guests will also be able to visit with skiers in Dutch costumes, the Community Police Team from the Holland Police Department, and even Sinterklaas’ beautiful white horse, Ozosnel. Start this adventure at the Tulip Time office to pick up lanterns and passports before stamping your passport at Sinterklaas’s Lodge, Polar Place, Sperry Slopes, Carolyn’s Candy Land, and Ozosnel’s Stable. Small gifts will be given to passport holders at each station.
Magic at the Mill
Fri & Sat, December 6 – 21, 2024 | 5pm – 9pm
The third annual Magic at the Mill holiday event returns to Windmill Island Gardens this December, brighter than ever with even MORE lights! This ticketed event will feature a ‘tulip field’ of 1,000 LED blossoms dancing to holiday music creating a dazzling light and music show! The windmill and park grounds will be lit up and attractions will be open such as the carousel for children, the authentic Dutch street organ will play holiday tunes, and the gift shops will be open for last minute holiday shopping. There will also be an opportunity for children to greet Sinterklaas (the Dutch predecessor of Santa Claus) along with additional snacks and beverages available for purchase. Get your tickets before they sell out!
Shopping Jam
December 14, 2024 | 8am – 11am
The early bird gets the…deals at the annual Downtown Holland Shopping Jam! Set your alarm clocks and grab a cup of hot coffee because this is one holiday savings event you won’t want to miss! As part of the Shopping Jam on Saturday, December 14, participating businesses will open their doors early, offering 30% off at least one item from 8:00 am – 9:00 am, 25% off at least one item from 9:00 am – 10:00 am, and 20% off at least one item from 10:00 am – 11:00 am.
LG Energy Solution’s Holland on Ice & Snowmelt 5k
Fri & Sat, February 7 & 8, 2025
The coolest event on the Lakeshore returns to Downtown Holland this February! Witness the nation’s best professional ice carvers at work as they transform over 10,000 pounds of ice into incredible works of art as part of LG Energy Solution’s Holland on Ice! During this two day winter festival, you can play frozen games made out ice, pose for photos with interactive ice sculptures, and stroll throughout Downtown Holland to check out the ice sculptures on display! All sculptures will remain on display as long as the weather permits. Sign up for our second annual Snowmelt 5k through Downtown Holland’s heated sidewalks, too!
Plan Your Visit
Shop
Shopping local isn’t just a trend in Downtown Holland. It’s at the heart of who we are. Shop our locally-owned clothing boutiques, art galleries, gift shops, and more!
Dine
No matter what you’re craving, you’ll find in here in Downtown Holland! From authentic Mexican street food to wood-fire pizzas, we’ve got the fare to keep you satisfied.
Stay
Stay in the heart of all the action! We’ve got hotels with all the amenities and the best customers service in the country!
Play
Downtown Holland is so much more than just shops and restaurants! Learn about Holland’s Dutch history, take in the night life, or stroll through one of our beautiful parks!
