Free Things to Do in Holland

There are plenty of ways to spend your time in Holland, but it’s always better when you can enjoy yourself and not spend a fortune! Here are some events and venues that are free of charge to any looking for a new experience. While most of these are outdoor venues, there are a few indoor spaces that offer a bit of variety. Make sure you visit the links provided for up-to-date information.

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Find your favorite spot to enjoy the beauty of Holland

One of Holland’s most enviable traits is its natural beauty. Being situated along the coast of Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa, there are so many places full of natural beauty that one loses track. Some of these places have picnic and swimming areas and even a playground!

Here are a few places to stretch your legs and breathe in the fresh lake air:

• Mount Pisgah Dune Climb: 2238 3rd Avenue, Holland
• Tunnel Park: 66 Lakeshore Drive, Holland.
• Laketown Beach: 6710 142nd Avenue, Holland
• Howard B. Dunton Park: 290 Howard Avenue, Holland

As for a comprehensive list of local parks, check out Step It Up, a group walking program. It’s a weekly series of free walks that introduce you to the many public (and some private) spaces to explore in Holland.

Walk the Dog!

Find a large list of dog-friendly spaces here. The list includes these favorites:

Helder Dog Park: 3751 104th Avenue, Holland. Four acres of leash-free space for your furbaby to enjoy.

Quincy Park Dog Park: 4260 144th Avenue, Holland. Take off the leash in this five-acre open space!

Music Soothes the Soul…

I can’t imagine anything that screams “summer” like an outdoor concert! Grab a blanket and a basket of treats before enjoying these free concerts…

• First Reformed Church: 630 State Street, Holland. “Free at 3” concerts at 3 p.m. on Sundays!
• Kollen Park Summer Concert Series: 240 Kollen Park Drive, Holland
• American Legion Concert Series: Kollen Park and various other venues.
• Thursdays at the Felt: 6597 138th Avenue, Holland.

Unleash Your Inner Artist!

Holland is, essentially, a big art museum! Its “Art Around Holland” program has dozens of spots where you can happen upon a work of art, whether sculpture or mural. Find the map here to start your journey.

Downtown is always fun

Thursday evenings during the summer, the downtown holds great fun with the Summer Street Performers Series. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., June 15 through August 17, strolling along 8^th Street will seem like you’re in a circus dreamland- musicians, caricature artists, face painters, jugglers, magicians, and even aerial acrobats will provide the excitement that money can’t buy.

Be One With Nature!

The Outdoor Discovery Center: 4214 56th St, Holland. Public trails, a Birds of Prey Center, mammal exhibits, a Visitor Center, fishing, and nature playscapes free of charge. Fees are charged, however, for their inquiry-based style of programming, which allows students to learn about and experience nature and culture in a hands-on manner.

Degraaf Nature Center: 600 Graafschap Rd., Holland.Part of the Outdoor Discovery Center Network, is an 18-acre nature preserve that’s free and open to the public.

Don’t miss local freebies!

The city of Holland takes great pride in its local institutions! Many of their venues offer a variety of enjoyable hours of entertainment and events.

• Bouws Pool- Kollen Park: 365 Fairbanks Ave., Holland.Free for kids- $1 for adults.
• Herrick District Library: 300 S. River Ave., Holland.The Herrick District Library offers numerous free events for all ages, from storytime to workshops on health, science, and the arts.
• Holland Museum: 31 W. 10th Street, Holland.The Holland Museum is open the second Monday of every month from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and offers FREE admission for all visitors! Please check out their current exhibits, including Spark!Lab Smithsonian! Be sure to view their Events Calendar for more FREE Second Monday events and their other venues, including the Armory, the Cappon House, and the Settler House.
• The Van Raalte Farm Park: 1076 E 16th St, Holland. Van Raalte Farm was originally the home of Civil War veteran Ben Van Raalte, the son of Holland’s founder. Eleven acres of the farm, including two barns and the original farmhouse, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, these timeless structures are part of a 160-acre park providing the perfect backdrop for their 14th annual Civil War Muster. Held on September 16-17, the sights and sounds of the Civil War come alive, featuring the Battle of Antietam, encampments of Confederate and Union soldiers, the 1^st Holland Regimental Band. Tours of the Grey Barn, an authentic Civil War era saloon, and the Van Raalte home. All events are free. During the remainder of the season, trails throughout the farm are open to the public, and there is even a three-acre dog park on the farm!

Unleash the Festivities!

The list of festivals held in Holland is extensive! Visit their website for up-to-date postings, but here are a few…

• Winter Market
• Girlfriends Weekend
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown Holland
• Tulip Time Festival
• Holland Michigan Farmers Market
• Memorial Day Parade
• “Remember When” Vintage Car Show and Cruise
• Juneteenth Freedom Festival
• Holland PRIDE Festival
• Holland Waterfront Celtic Festival and Highland Games
• Independence Day Fireworks
• Art In the Park
• Downtown Holland Sidewalk Sales
• Macatawa Water Festival
• International Festival of Holland
• Labor Day Truck Parade
• Fire Truck Parade
• Fall Fest
• Holiday Open House

In the end, you will be amazed and overjoyed by the fun and memories available to you for free in the greater Holland area. For more information, visit Holland.org for updates. Be trifty and wise, but enjoy what Holland has to offer!

Make a weekend of it!

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