Spring in Michigan means one thing: millions of tulips are about to bloom in Holland.

That’s right. West Michigan’s beloved Tulip Time is back, bringing parades, Dutch dancers, and plenty of flower-filled photo ops.

If it’s your first time attending (or you haven’t been in a while), it might be easy to get overwhelmed with everything the festival has to offer.

Lucky for you, The ’Gander’s Sophie Boudreau brings us this guide with everything you need to know to make the most of Tulip Time 2026.

More than 1.5 million convictions cleared under Michigan ‘clean slate’ law (Bridge Michigan): Michigan has automatically cleared nearly 1.6 million criminal convictions since 2023 under its clean slate law, helping many residents get a fresh start. Advocates say the bipartisan policy is reducing long-term barriers from old convictions, though some limitations and data gaps remain.

USDA closes Michigan research facilities (The Detroit News): The US Department of Agriculture is closing all four Forest Service research facilities in Michigan as part of a nationwide restructuring. Experts warn the loss of in-state research could hinder efforts to combat invasive pests and diseases affecting Michigan’s nearly 3 million acres of national forestland.

Man charged following Kalamazoo Girl Scouts building shooting (WOOD-TV): A 22-year-old man is facing six felony charges after a shooting at a baby shower left two people injured at a Kalamazoo Girl Scouts building. The Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan said an “outside group” was renting the building at the time of the shooting. Both victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

For more tulip-centric fun, visit Veldheer Tulip Gardens just outside the city and explore more than 850 tulip varieties. (Gabrielle Hensch/ Unsplash) 

By Sophie Boudreau

Spring is officially in the air. For residents of Holland, Michigan, that means one thing: Tulip Time is around the bend! When May arrives, Holland comes to life with a time-treasured tradition featuring food, floats, and—of course—flowers.

Tulip Time is a festival designed to honor the area’s rich Dutch heritage and the beauty of tulips themselves. Since 1929, Michiganders and tourists from around the world have made the trip to the shores of Lake Michigan for a multi-day celebration of springtime splendor. More than five million tulip bulbs are planted around Holland every year, thoughtfully timed to (hopefully) burst forth during the early days of May.

Whether you’re a lifelong Hollander, a traveler who’s always wanted to make the journey, or a repeat attendee, there’s so much to love about Tulip Time. This year’s gathering will be no exception. So grab your Dutch costume, put on your wooden shoes, and check out our 2026 Tulip Time guide.

Random tidbits worth clicking on…

M-119 between Island View and Division roads has been washed away, the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office said. (USA Today Network)

🚧 Be aware if you’re heading Up North: recent rains have caused multiple road washouts, including closures along M-119’s “Tunnel of Trees” near Petoskey. Officials are continuing to assess the damage and reroute traffic.

🫗 Contrary to what our current health secretary says, a recently released study finds that fluoridated water has no effect on IQ or brain function.

📺 The Weather Channel is providing a blast of nostalgia with this webpage that airs retro-themed broadcasts of today’s local weather—muzak included.

Do you have a cool picture, observation, or comment you’d like to share? Send it here.

Want deeper coverage of Michigan politics? Our free Thursday newsletter, This Week in Michigan Politics, breaks down what’s happening in Lansing and Washington—clearly and without the jargon.

With the midterms approaching, we’ll keep you informed on what could affect your day-to-day life.

Interested?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a feature story from Sophie Boudreau. It was edited by Brook Bolen.

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