We look forward to seeing you in Orange City for Tulip Festival! We’ve noted the answers to some common festival questions below. If you’d like more information or have additional questions, please contact us!
Phone: 712-707-4510 Email: office@octulipfestival.com
COVID-19 Updates for 2021
Tulip Festival Committee Making Plans for May 13, 14 and 15, 2021
Tulip Festival is a three-day event that requires year-long planning with a large committee of community volunteers dedicating hours to not only planning for a successful event, but a safe event.
It was in the best interest and safety of our volunteers and visitors to cancel last year’s festival given the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, there were gathering restrictions, and because there were many unknowns about when and how gathering restrictions would be lifted, the committee made the difficult decision to cancel the festival for 2020. The 2020 festival was not postponed or rescheduled. Instead, the community and its many volunteer committee members have focused their energy on safely holding the 2021 Tulip Festival on May 13, 14 and 15, 2021. This celebration will be the 80th festival, and given the heartaches of the past year, we look forward to holding a special celebration that we know will take on deeper meaning and significance for many this spring.
Tulip Festival is successful because of the many volunteer community members who dedicate hours to ensuring a smooth event. This year is no different, and extra consideration for sanitary protocols is being taken throughout the
planning process. We are thankful that many of the events and attractions of the festival are outdoors, and each attraction is carefully monitoring all guidelines. Many of our own volunteers have been impacted by the COVID-19
pandemic over the last year, and we want nothing more than to be thoughtful and responsible when planning for the festival. Please note, specific guidelines and procedures will be communicated as the festival approaches and may be event-specific. We encourage everyone to follow us on social media for the most up-to-date news.
When is Tulip Festival?
Orange City’s annual Tulip Festival takes places each third weekend in May. The 80th annual festival is set for May 13, 14, and 15, 2021.
Future Dates:
2022 – May 19, 20, 21
2023 – May 18, 19, 20
2024 – May 16, 17, 18
2025 – May 15, 16, 17
2026 – May 14, 15, 16
Is there a cost to attend the festival?
There is not a cost to attend the festival itself, though some specific events and attractions do have a small fee. Click here for ticketing information.
Where is parking for the festival located?
Various options for parking are available for Tulip Festival. You are welkom to park your vehicle on the street, as there are many side streets within walking distance of the festivities.
Vehicles can also be parked at Unity Christian High School (216 Michigan Avenue SW) and MOC-Floyd Valley High School (615 8th Street SE), as you are welkom to use our shuttle service for your transportation between festival events and attractions.
Handicapped parking for the parade is located on Arizona Avenue. A handicapped parking permit is required.
What is the Tulip Festival shuttle service?
Our Albany Avenue Shuttle service WILL NOT run for the 2021 Tulip Festival.
Our shuttle service runs from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day of the festival, and is not available after the Night Show. The shuttle service tickets provide all day, unlimited transportation to the designated stops. Shuttle stops include Unity Christian High School, MOC-Floyd Valley High School, Lindsay’s Flower Patch, the Century Home, Hampton Inn, Quilt Show, Vogel Old Mill, Veteran’s Park Campground and various stops on Albany Avenue.
Tickets for the shuttle are $5 per person, and can be purchased on the shuttle vans or at the Windmill Information Booth during the festival. Shuttle tickets are valid for one day, so new tickets will need to be purchased each day you wish to use the service. If you purchased a value book or choose to do so during the festival, a shuttle service ticket is included in the book.
Where are the Tulip Festival events and attractions located?
Other than the Night Show, Quilt Show and Vogel Old Mill, all events and attractions are located within walking distance of our city centrum.
If you’re using a GPS, we recommend searching the City of Orange City for directions, which will guide you to the Town Hall (125 Central Avenue SE). You won’t be able to drive directly to the Town Hall as the street will be closed for the festival, but it will bring you to the area of our city centrum.
The Night Show is located on the southwest side of Orange City in the Unity Christian Knight Center, located at 216 Michigan Avenue SW.
The Vogel Old Mill is located on the south side of Orange City at 1110 Albany Place South.
Where can I see the 2021 Tulip Festival brochure?
The 2021 Tulip Festival Brochure will be available on the front page of our website as soon as we have some event details finalized. Please check back for updates.
You can also request one be sent to you: HERE
Where can I purchase wooden shoes?
Orange City’s own design of wooden shoes, as designed by Orange City’s second wooden shoe carver and pictured below, can be purchased at the Tulip Festival office (509 8th Street SE) throughout the year and at the Straat Winkel during Tulip Festival. 
Plain wooden shoes that can be stained or painted can be purchased at Jubon Juweelen (107 3rd Street NE) and Crafts Central (207 Central Avenue NE) in Orange City.
When will the tulips bloom?
We plant a variety of early, mid- and late-blooming tulips in Orange City to do our best to have tulips in bloom during the festival. The majority of the tulips usually bloom in mid-May, but weather plays a major role in the timing of the blooming tulips.
Can I bring my dog to Tulip Festival?
Dogs are allowed at the festival as long as they remain on a leash; however, they are not allowed in any festival events or attractions. Service animals are welkom.
Are wheelchair rentals available?
Yes, wheelchairs can be rented from the following Orange City businesses. Please contact the businesses to arrange rental:
- Home Town Pharmacy
512 8th Street SE in Orange City
Phone: 712-737-4919
- Sanford Medical Equipment
817 Lincoln Place SE in Orange City
Phone: 712-707-9550
How many people attend Tulip Festival?
An estimated 100,000 visitors join our annual festival over the course of the three days.
Where do I find patterns to sew Dutch costumes?
Several Dutch costume patterns are available at the Orange City Public Library on a year-round basis. You can also contact members of our Dutch Costume Committee for additional patterns or to have a costume made.
How many tulip bulbs are planted in Orange City each year?
An estimated 50,000 tulip bulbs are planted throughout our community each year, all of which are imported from Holland.
You can find beds of tulips at several locations including: the Tulip Festival/Chamber of Commerce office, Lindsay’s Flower Patch, Veterans Park, Windmill Park, the Vogel Old Mill, Orange City Area Health System, down Central and Albany Avenues and at Tulip Town Bulb Company.
Are there additional Tulip Festival events throughout the year?
Yes, several events lead up to the festival each year:
- Tulip Court Election – The Tulip Court election for the upcoming festival takes place each September.
- Tulip Queen Pageant – Our Tulip Queen for the upcoming festival is crowned in November. The Night Show production for the upcoming year is also announced at the pageant.
- Ticket Sales Begin – Ticket sales for the upcoming festival begin in January each year. Tickets for the Tulip Festival Extravaganza, Night Show, reserved parade seating and value books are sold at the Tulip Festival office or online here: BUY TICKETS
- Tulip Festival Extravaganza – Our spring kick-off event, the annual Tulip Festival Extravaganza, takes place in March. The costumes of our Tulip Queen and Court are revealed and the parade marshal for the upcoming festival is introduced.
- Dutch Costume Exchange – The annual Dutch Costume Exchange takes place in early April. Individuals are invited to buy and/or sell authentic Dutch costumes for children, youth and adults.
