What do watercolor windmills, running shoes, geodes, and muskets have in common? September in Holland!
Kick off the first month of fall at the Art on the Island Gala. Enjoy free admission to Windmill Island Gardens, vote for your favorite artistic rendition, and even purchase a piece you love to take home. Next up, the Holland Haven Marathon, Half Marathon, and 8k. Pick your distance and race along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. For precious stones, be sure to check out the 53rd Tulip City Gem and Mineral Show, and to relive the Battle of Gettysburg, don’t miss the Van Raalte Farm Civil War Muster. Finish the month with a tour around the world at International Festival.
Fall Fest
Fall Fest comes to downtown Holland the first weekend in October. Experience the historic city center decked out with corn stalks and hay bales and buzzing with activities. Witness giant pumpkins getting carved, medium-sized pumpkins sculpted into captivating displays, and mini pumpkins painted by your kids at the farmers market. Then, marvel at street performers and a windmill-side artisan market. When the sun sets, procure a harvest-themed beverage and admire all the flickering jack-o’-lanterns.
(For more fall fun, why not do some leaf peeping as you explore vineyards, orchards, and breweries following the Handcrafted Passport?)
Day of the Dead
Whether you honor your ancestors, dress up to scare away ghouls, or just like gathering candy, Holland has an event for you on October 28th.
From 10 til noon, littles dressed in ghost and Barbie costumes will converge on downtown Holland to Trick or Treat along 8th Street. Then, it’s onto the Holland Armory for music, dance, and art in celebration of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Finally, after the kiddos are down for naps, adults can head back downtown for Taps and Treats to sample Halloween sweets perfectly paired with a stout or IPA companion.
A Cornucopia of Musical Adventures
There’s a harvest of music in Holland this fall. The Park Theatre hosts the most with a packed line-up of tribute bands ranging from Elton Rohn to Fooz Fighters, performances by popular regional bands, and the annual ParktoberFest.
Classical music afficionados will flock to Hope College’s Great Performance Series with its Grammy-winning jazz, chamber ensembles, and harpist who mixes old with new tunes. Also amazing, Holland Symphony Orchestra’s autumn performances feature Brahms and a piano tribute to the planets, and the Holland Museum hosts a musical evening about Idlewild, Holland’s “Black Eden.”
Parading into the Next Season
Holland loves a parade and hosts SEVEN each year, three in the fall. The Labor Day Truck Parade features rumbling trucks, free ice cream, and giveaways. For more big rigs, the Fire Truck Parade kicks off Fire Safety Week with 50 fire trucks rolling down 8th Street. To wrap up November and usher in the holidays, the Parade of Lights has 75 floats plus (more) trucks, antique cars, walkers, and marching bands all decked out in thousands of sparking lights. What a way to escort Santa into downtown Holland!
Pick a season, any season, and there’s always something happening in Holland. Check out what’s on for today, tomorrow, and even next year at the Holland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s calendar of events.