Holland Happenings 🌷

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A fall-color walk, a little live music, and a Saturday full of costumes and community celebrations. There are plenty of ways to make the most of October around Holland.

Here’s what’s worth your time from Wednesday, October 21 through Tuesday, October 27.

🍂 This week’s featured local guide: The Best Places to See Fall Colors Near Holland, According to Locals. Find reader-recommended trails, overlooks, and scenic drives for your next autumn outing.

Make a day of it with our cider, donuts, and orchard guide. Check current hours and seasonal conditions before heading out.

🌷 A Boost for Tulip Time Parade Entries
Have a big idea for next spring’s Tulip Time parades? Five organizations can receive $3,000 each through the new Parade Enhancement Grant. It reimburses eligible improvements to floats, costumes, props, or other creative touches, so recipients cover purchases first and submit proof. Applications are due November 16; schools aren’t eligible, and recipients must participate in both the Kinderparade and Volksparade. 👉 Application details

🚌 Planning Better Lakeshore Connections
MAX Transit received $260,000 for an architectural and engineering study of moving its downtown Holland hub to the Westshore Mall area. Harbor Transit received $621,047 to plan expanded evening and weekend service in northwest Ottawa County. Both awards fund planning; routes and a hub move are not yet finalized. 👉 Grant details

⛸️ Ice Park Tickets Are on Sale
Holland Ice Park’s 2026–27 tickets went on sale October 16, with more released on the 16th of each month. A 90-minute skate is $10, including rentals; reserve online in advance. Find the park at 71 E. 6th Street. 👉 Plan your skate

🎒 New Preschool Option in North Holland
CDS Lakeshore Head Start has opened a new preschool center at 12330 James Street in Holland Town Center, serving children ages 3–5 through its Head Start program. 👉 North Holland program details

🎃 Holland Halloween Saturday
Saturday, Oct. 24 · Downtown Holland & Holland Ice Park.
Start with free downtown trick-or-treating from 10 a.m.–noon, rain or shine and while candy lasts. Then head to the Not-So-Spooky Boo Bash from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Holland Ice Park, 71 E. 6th St., for games, a scavenger hunt, and a 1 p.m. library storytime. Admission is free; optional barrel rides are $5 in costume or $7 without. 👉 Trick-or-treating details • Boo Bash details

🌼 Día de los Muertos Celebration
Saturday, Oct. 24, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. · Holland Armory, 16 W. 9th St.
Celebrate with music, dance, face painting, CultureWorks art activities, and student-created community ofrendas. Free and open to everyone. 👉 Celebration details

📖 Poetry, Family, and the Stories We Carry
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2–4 p.m. · The Bluestocking Bookshop, 12330 James St.
Join author Marissa LaPorte for a beginner-friendly workshop and author reading centered on poetry, family, and the stories we carry. 👉 Event details

🎤 Alex Clark: Jokes From The Brink
Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m. · Holland Community Theater, 50 W. 9th St.
A night of laughs with comedian Alex Clark. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; the show runs about an hour. This one is for adults 18 and older. 👉 Show details & tickets

🐐 Boo at the Barn
Friday, Oct. 23, 1–8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. · Michigan Farmstead, home of the Critter Barn, 2950 80th Ave., Zeeland.
Wear a costume for candy, farm animals, corn-pit play, and the accessible playground. $10 ages 3+; ages 2 and under free; $8 seniors 62+ and military with ID. 👉 Event details

🎩 Free Family Magic Show & Costume Party
Friday, Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m. · Midtown Center, 96 W. 15th St.
The Allegan Ottawa Shrine Club invites families for a free evening of magic and a costume contest. Come in costume and enjoy a little pre-Halloween fun. 👉 View the organizer’s flyer

🎻 Spooky Symphony
Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m.–noon · Herrick Main Library, 300 S. River Ave.
The Holland Symphony Orchestra’s wind quintet brings family-friendly spooky tunes and reading selections to the library. Free and open to all ages. 👉 Program details

🥕 Holland Farmers Market
Wednesday, Oct. 21 & Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. · 8th Street Marketplace, 150 W. 8th St.
Pick up fall produce, baked goods, and local food for the week. Market admission is free; purchases are extra. 👉 Market details

🎱 Community Center Bingo
Wednesday, Oct. 21 · Holland Charter Township Community Center, 12343 James St.
Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. and bingo starts at noon. $5 per person; register online in advance and check for space before heading over. The center is cashless. 👉 Event details & registration information

🎨 Artful Afternoons
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 4–5 p.m. · Herrick Main Library.
Kids ages 6–10 can drop in for an afternoon of making and creating, with a different art project to try each session. 👉 Program details

🎸 Gunshine
Wednesday, Oct. 21 · Park Theatre, 248 S. River Ave.
Florida hard-rock band Gunshine brings guitar-driven songs and big hooks to Holland. $20 advance or $25 day of show; ages 18+ or with adult supervision. Check the ticket page for entry details. 👉 Show details

🪄 Amaze & Amuse
Thursday, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m. · Park Theatre.
Trino and Parker William mix interactive magic, mentalism, and comedy. Doors at 7 p.m.; ages 18+. $20 advance or $25 day of show. 👉 Show details

🎶 The Verve Pipe
Friday, Oct. 23, 8 p.m. · Park Theatre.
Make it a night of Michigan alt-rock. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 advance or $45 day of show; ages 18+ or with adult supervision. 👉 Show details

🧠 Rooftop Trivia Takeover
Monday, Oct. 26, 6:30–8:30 p.m. · Tulyp Hotel, 61 E. 7th St., fifth-floor lounge.
West Coast Young Professionals is joining Tulyp’s Monday trivia for a relaxed night of questions and meeting new people. It’s free to play, with registration appreciated and food and drinks available to buy. 👉 Details & registration

👻 Spoooooky Cheesecloth Ghosties
Thursday, Oct. 29, 3–5 p.m. · Herrick Main Library, Children’s Activity Room.
Kids ages 6 and up can drop in to make a ghost decoration from cheesecloth. Dress for a little mess. 👉 Program details

🎃 Trixy Tang + Boys Gone Mild
Friday, Oct. 30, 8 p.m. · Park Theatre.
Get a costume ready for a Halloween party with live music and a costume contest with cash prizes. Doors open at 7 p.m. $20 advance or $25 day of show; ages 18+ or with adult supervision. 👉 Show details

⛸️ Plan Ahead: Dutch Winterfest Adds Dutch Skate
Dutch Winterfest returns December 1–5, with a new Dutch Skate event at Holland Ice Park, featuring skaters in traditional Dutch clothing. The festival also brings back the Sinterklaas Shuffle, Holiday Huis Tour, Proost! Tasting Tour, and Delft Downtown. 👉 Winterfest details

→ The Best Places to See Fall Colors Near Holland, According to Locals

→ 5 Cider & Orchard Stops Near Holland, According to Locals

→ The Best Coffee Around Holland & the Lakeshore, According to Locals

→ The Best Breakfast in Holland, According to Locals

→ The Best Pizza Around Holland & the Lakeshore, According to Locals

→ Things to Do in Holland, MI: Indoor Activities for Kids & Families

Browse the Local Guides page →

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See you around town, Holland.

Kindly,
Tyler
Holland Happenings 🌷