Looking for an exceptional light show this holiday season? Then visit Holland, Michigan on one of the first three weekends in December for a winter lights festival like you’ve never seen.

The city renowned for the world-famous Holland Tulip Time Festival will showcase a different kind of bulb during Magic at the Mill. The new event at Holland’s charming Windmill Island Gardens features a field of 1,000 LED lights synchronized to holiday music. 

Get your Magic at the Mill tickets now and plan a weekend highlighted by watching the bulbs “blossom” with holiday magic!

Here’s what to expect:

  • Park at Windmill Island Gardens just across the water from beautiful downtown Holland, on the shore of Lake Michigan west of Grand Rapids
  • See the unique “tulip field” of lights and enjoy two separate light shows that will play throughout the night, with a special Holland-themed intermission
  • Holland’s Magic at the Mill happens on the first three Fridays and Saturdays of December
  • Tickets for Magic at the Mill are available for two time slots each night, from 5-7 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids.
  • In addition to the light show, shops and attractions at Holland’s Windmill Island Gardens will be open including a carousel for kids and an authentic Dutch street organ playing special holiday music. Light snacks and beverages will be available, too.
  • Even Holland’s historic DeZwaan windmill that stands 12 stories high will be lit up for Magic at the Mill
  • Of course, Sinterklaas will be on site to visit with children, too. The benevolent Dutch St. Nicholas might even give visitors some traditional gold coins!

See all of Holland’s upcoming holiday events

Magic at the Mill is a holiday event you can only experience in Holland. And it’s one of several memorable ways to get into the holiday spirit in the Tulip City this year. 

Here are five more unique activities to put on your holiday calendar:

  • The Holiday Open House in Holland is a magical kickoff to the season when shops stay open late and offer refreshments, giveaways and free gift wrapping. There’s also live music, holiday-themed street performers, carolers, roasted chestnuts and even live reindeer. The big tree downtown is all aglow and you can get your picture taken with Santa Claus, too. 
  • On the same night as the Holiday Open House, the Christmas Kerstmarkt in Holland opens for the season at Eighth Street Marketplace. The European-style open-air market celebrating its 25thanniversary features handmade gifts and artisan demonstrations on Fridays and Saturdays through mid-December, with special events including handbell concerts and dog sled exhibitions. 
  • The week after Thanksgiving, people line the heated sidewalk in downtown Holland to watch Santa arrive in Holland’s Parade of Lights. About 75 illuminated floats, bands and trucks march down Eighth Street to the Kerstmarkt, which opens that night for special Tuesday hours.
  • A few days after the jolly, round figure of Santa makes his way into downtown Holland, the authentic Dutch Sinterklaas will arrive, posing for photos on Sinterklaas Eve at Holland’s Eighth Street Marketplace. That’s the same night that Magic at the Mill gets underway.
  • In addition to all those events, the entire downtown is decked out in holiday décor throughout the season, giving Eighth Street the feel of a Christmas movie set. Come by anytime to enjoy holiday shopping in the unique boutiques of downtown Holland, and get special deals during Shop ‘Til You Drop in November and Shopping Jam in December.