Holland Fall Fest Includes Pumpkin Carvings, Face Painting, Performers
Nothing beats budget-friendly fun for the whole family. Downtown Holland embraces all things fall on October 2 & 3, 2026, with harvest decorations, an artisan market, family activities, and LIVE professional pumpkin carvers.
Holland Fall Fest is just one of the many cool fall festivals happening in West Michigan this year!
Holland Fall Fest Highlights
Shopping & Dining Downtown Holland
Stroll down 8th Street in Downtown Holland the first weekend of October for Holland Fall Fest.
You’ll find a lengthy list of fall-inspired family activities like balloon artists, games, and live pumpkin carvers wielding masterpieces from all sizes of squash.
Don’t forget shopping and deals at the adorable shops downtown and a strong lineup of restaurants that are serving up the best cool weather dishes when you need a break from the fun.
P.S. The bulk of the festival is happening throughout Downtown Holland, but there are other locations to check out as well.
Professional Carvers
Downtown Holland’s Fall Fest is the only fall festival in Michigan where you’ll find the nation’s best professional pumpkin carvers (including Food Network alumni) carving the biggest pumpkins you’ve seen!
You can watch the professional pumpkin carvers at work on :
- Friday, October 2: 3 PM – 7 PM (8th Street in Downtown Holland)
- Saturday, October 3: 10 AM – 2 PM (Holland Farmers Market )
All carvings will remain on display through Monday.
Family Fun at Holland Fall Fest
There’s so much Saturday fun planned for the entire family during Holland Fall Fest!
- Pumpkin Painting (for just $1) at Holland Farmers Market
- Fun Games at the Holland Farmers Market
- Free street performers in Downtown Holland (including face painters, balloon twisters, caricature artists, and more) from 12 – 4 PM
You can’t beat affordable fall fun!
Holland Farmers Market
Enjoy the bounty of the autumn harvest during Fall Fest at the Holland Farmers Market.
Shop from over 50 local farmers and vendors selling fresh produce, plants and flowers, fall decor, honey, jam, meat, gourmet specialty foods and so more! The Market is a can’t miss!
The market is open on Saturday, October 3 from 8 AM – 2 PM
Makers Market
The annual Fall Fest Makers Market at the Holland Civic Center will be held:
- Friday, October 2: 12 – 7 PM
- Saturday, October 3: 8 AM – 3 PM
Hosted by Tulip Time, the Makers Market features over 50 talented local vendors selling their arts and crafts! (No entry fee.)
Proost! Tasting Tour
New in 2026, guests 21+ can get tickets for a guided tour between Culture Cheese Shop, Waverly Stone, and New Holland Brewing. At each stop, you’ll receive a curated selection of three drink samples and small bites.
Take Part in the Tulip Planting Tradition
While the fall weather has many dreaming about pumpkins, it’s also the best time to plant tulips for next year’s Tulip Time Festival.
Rally the troops to take part in a long-standing, tulip planting tradition.
Next May, when tulips spring up on Window on the Waterfront, planters can take pride in knowing they helped keep the tradition alive.
Fire Trucks & Tractors
Don’t miss other fun happenings during Holland’s Fall Fest!
Firetruck Parade
The West Michigan Fire Prevention Council will host their annual Fire Truck Parade and Open House on Friday, October 2.
The parade features fire trucks, emergency vehicles, and more.
The parade begins at 7 PM at the corner of 8th St and Columbia Ave and ends at the Holland Civic Center (150 W 8th St, Holland, MI 49423) with fire prevention activities and fire safety demonstrations for the entire family.
Touch a Truck
Head over to Windmill Island Gardens to get up close and personal with big rigs, cement mixers, bucket trucks, and more at the first ever Fall Fest Touch A Truck event.
The $5 Windmill Island Garden entry fee lets you check out the entire park along with the Touch a Truck event.
Touch a Truck runs Saturday, October 3 from 9:30 AM – 1 PM.
Hay Rides
While you’re at Windmill Island Gardens, be sure to take a hay ride. For just $1 per person (age 3 and under free), you’ll see the majestic DeZwaan Windmill and other fall scenery.
Hay rides run Saturday, October 3 from 9:30 AM – 1 PM.
2026 Holland Fall Fest Schedule
Friday, October 2, 2026
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30 AM – 12 PM | Tulip Planting * | Window on the Waterfront |
| 12 PM – 7 PM | Makers Market | Holland Civic Center |
| 1 PM – 3 PM | Tulip Planting * | Window on the Waterfront |
| 3 PM, 4 PM | Proost! Tasting Tour * | Downtown Holland |
| 3 PM – 7 PM | Pumpkin Carving | Downtown Holland |
| 7 PM | Fire Truck Parade | Downtown Holland |
| 7 PM – 10 PM | Jack-O’-Lanterns Displayed | Downtown Holland |
Saturday, October 3, 2026
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8 AM – 2 PM | Holland Farmers Market Open | Holland Civic Center Place |
| 8 AM – 3 PM | Makers Market | Holland Civic Center Place |
| 9 AM – 10:30 AM | Tulip Planting * | Window on the Waterfront |
| 9:30 AM – 1 PM | Touch A Truck | Windmill Island Gardens |
| 9:30 AM – 1 PM | Hay Rides | Windmill Island Gardens |
| 10 AM – 2 PM | Pumpkin Carving Display Children’s Activities Pumpkin Painting | Holland Farmers Market |
| 10:30 AM – 12 PM | Tulip Planting * | Window on the Waterfront |
| 12 PM – 4 PM | Street Performers | Downtown Holland |
| 12 PM – 7 PM | Pumpkin Carving | Downtown Holland |
| 3 PM, 4 PM, 5 PM | Proost! Tasting Tour * | Downtown Holland |
| 7 PM – 10 PM | Carvings Displayed | Downtown Holland |
* Advance sign-up required
Some events will be held at specific times, check out the full schedule before attending.
