Last Updated: April 27, 2026
Tulip Time is here. Ten days, six million tulips, two parades, and more walking than most of us have done since last May. If you’ve lived in Holland for any amount of time, you know the drill — park somewhere creative, walk until your feet hurt, stand on concrete for two hours watching the Volksparade, and spend the next three days wondering why your back is angry.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Whether you’re a local who goes every year or bringing family in from out of town, a little planning goes a long way toward enjoying the festival without paying for it the next morning.
Here’s your survival guide.
Tulip Time 2026: What You Need to Know
Tulip Time 2026 runs May 1 through May 10 with events spread across a 4-mile radius of downtown Holland. Highlights include:
- Gentex Kinderparade (Children’s Parade) — Thursday, May 7, 2:00-4:00 PM
- Quality Car Wash Volksparade — Saturday, May 9, 2:00-4:00 PM
- Tulip Time Drone Show Spectacular — Saturday, May 9, 9:30 PM
- Fireworks — Saturday, May 9 at Kollen Park
- Dutch Dance Performances — daily throughout the festival
- Tulip Immersion Garden — open daily 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Carnival — open daily with varying hours
- Concerts: Love Story (Taylor Swift tribute, May 1), Elton Rohn (May 2), FiddleFire (May 6), The Texas Tenors (May 7), Michael Carbonaro (May 8)
Full event calendar and tickets: tuliptime.com/events
Planning Around the Parades
Both parades run along 8th Street and Columbia Avenue, starting at Columbia and 8th and ending near Kollen Park at 11th and Van Raalte. If you’ve ever been stuck on the wrong side of 8th Street during a parade, you know — there’s no crossing until it’s over.
Road closures start around 1:30 PM on parade days. Downtown becomes a maze. Here’s how to plan around it:
- Before 1:00 PM: Get parked and settled. Grab lunch downtown while spots are still open. If you have appointments or errands on the other side of 8th Street, do them before noon.
- 1:30-4:30 PM: Expect closures on 8th Street, Columbia Avenue, and surrounding blocks. No-parking zones along the route are enforced — your car will be towed if parked in a “No Standing” zone after 1:30 PM.
- After 4:30 PM: Traffic clears gradually. Give it 30-45 minutes after the parade ends before trying to drive through downtown.
Parking tips:
- The 7th Street parking structure (between Columbia & College) has free parking and is about a mile walk to most events
- Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends — if you can visit midweek, do it
- Velo Kids Bike Valet offers free secure bike parking throughout the festival — ride in, skip the parking headache entirely
- Windmill Island fills up fast on weekends. Their 250-car lot closes when full, and you’ll wait. Go early or take the weekend shuttle from the downtown depot.
Your Feet Are About to Work Harder Than They Have All Year
The average Tulip Time visitor walks 8,000 to 12,000 steps per day — more if you’re hitting multiple venues. That’s 4 to 6 miles on concrete sidewalks, brick streets, cobblestones, and grass. Your feet, knees, hips, and lower back all feel it.
Here’s how to stay ahead of it.
Shoes Matter More Than You Think
This is not the day for flip flops. Or dress shoes. Or those cute sandals that look great but have zero arch support. Every step you take sends roughly 1.5 times your body weight through your spine. On hard surfaces like downtown sidewalks, that force is even higher without proper cushioning.
Wear shoes with:
- Arch support — flat soles on concrete are a recipe for plantar fasciitis and lower back pain
- Cushioned soles — absorb impact so your joints don’t have to
- A snug heel — loose shoes change your gait, which changes how your spine absorbs force
Running shoes or supportive walking shoes are your best option. Break them in before the festival — don’t debut new shoes on a 10,000-step day.
Stretch Before You Go (Yes, Really)
You wouldn’t run a 5K without warming up. Walking all day is the same demand on your body, just slower. Five minutes of stretching before you leave the house makes a real difference:
- Hip flexor stretch — these tighten from sitting (in the car, at lunch, watching shows) and pull your pelvis forward, compressing your lower back
- Calf stretches — tight calves change how your foot strikes the ground and can cause knee and ankle pain
- Standing hamstring stretch — loose hamstrings take pressure off your lower back while walking
Hold each stretch for 30 seconds. Both sides. That’s less than five minutes.
Take Real Breaks
Standing in one spot is actually harder on your spine than walking. When you’re watching a parade or waiting for a show, your lower back muscles fatigue from holding you upright without movement. That’s when the aching starts.
- Sit down every 45-60 minutes if you can — a bench, the grass, anything
- Shift your weight — don’t stand with all your weight on one leg for 20 minutes
- Walk around during long waits — even a short loop keeps your muscles from locking up
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration makes muscle cramps and joint stiffness worse. May in Michigan can be surprisingly warm, and you’re walking more than usual. Carry a water bottle. Drink before you’re thirsty.
When to See a Chiropractor After Tulip Time
Most post-festival soreness resolves in a day or two. But if you’re dealing with any of these after the festival, it’s time to get checked:
- Lower back pain that lingers more than 3-4 days
- Pain that radiates into your leg — that could be sciatica from overloading an already irritated disc
- Foot pain that’s sharp with the first steps in the morning — possible plantar fasciitis
- Neck and shoulder pain from carrying bags, kids, or tensing up in crowds
- Knee pain that wasn’t there before the festival
A chiropractic adjustment can realign what shifted during all that walking on uneven surfaces — and that includes your ankles and knees, not just your spine. Cobblestones, brick paths, and uneven grass can torque your ankle joints and shift your knee alignment, which changes how force travels up through your entire body. Adjusting the ankle and knee restores proper mechanics so your hips and lower back aren’t compensating. If something more serious is going on — like a disc issue that was lurking before Tulip Time pushed it over the edge — we’ll catch it early. Spinal decompression and Class IV laser therapy can speed recovery significantly if the problem goes beyond simple muscle fatigue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many steps will I walk at Tulip Time?
Most visitors walk 8,000 to 12,000 steps per day, depending on how many venues you visit. That’s roughly 4 to 6 miles. If you’re hitting Windmill Island, downtown, and the parades all in one day, you’re closer to the high end.
What shoes should I wear to Tulip Time?
Supportive walking shoes or running shoes with arch support and cushioned soles. Avoid flip flops, flat sandals, and dress shoes — they don’t absorb impact on concrete and will leave your feet, knees, and back hurting by afternoon.
How do I get around Holland during the parades?
Both parades run 2:00-4:00 PM along 8th Street and Columbia Avenue. Road closures begin around 1:30 PM. Plan to be parked and settled before 1:00 PM. After the parade, give it 30-45 minutes for traffic to clear before driving through downtown.
Where should I park during Tulip Time?
The 7th Street parking structure (between Columbia & College) offers free parking about a mile from downtown events. Street parking fills early on weekends. Weekday visits are much easier for parking. Consider biking — the free Velo Kids Bike Valet provides secure bike parking.
Can walking all day at Tulip Time cause back pain?
Yes. Extended walking on hard surfaces, standing in place during parades, and wearing unsupportive shoes can all aggravate lower back pain — especially if you have an existing disc or joint issue. Proper shoes, stretching, and breaks significantly reduce the risk.
Should I see a chiropractor before or after Tulip Time?
Both are smart. A visit before the festival ensures your spine is aligned and moving well, which helps your body handle the increased activity. A visit after helps correct any shifts that happened during days of walking on uneven ground. Call 616-392-7031 to schedule either way.
Enjoy the Festival. We’ve Got Your Back.
Tulip Time is one of the best parts of living in Holland. Six million tulips, incredible community energy, and memories with family and friends. Don’t let preventable pain take that away from you.
Wear the right shoes. Stretch for five minutes. Take breaks. Stay hydrated. And if something doesn’t feel right afterward, don’t wait — the sooner you address it, the faster you’re back to normal.
Call 616-392-7031 or book your appointment online at McAlpine Chiropractic in Holland, MI.
