Fall is just around the corner, and one of Holland's favorite fall traditions is getting ready to take over downtown.
Fall Fest returns Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3, with two full days of pumpkins, local shopping, family activities, live entertainment, and plenty of reasons to spend some time downtown.
The festival will stretch across several familiar Holland spots, including 8th Street, GDK Park, Holland Civic Center Place, Window on the Waterfront, the Holland Farmers Market and Windmill Island Gardens.
And while there's plenty happening throughout the weekend, the giant pumpkins are hard to miss.
Fall Fest is the only fall festival in West Michigan where visitors can watch professional pumpkin carvers work on some seriously massive pumpkins. The lineup includes nationally recognized carvers and several Food Network alumni.
Professional pumpkin carving will take place Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m.
This year's featured carvers include Chad Hartson, who appeared on Food Network's Cake Wars; Danny Kissel, winner of Outrageous Pumpkins; Dean Murray of Halloween Wars; World Champion Carver Greg Butauski; renowned pumpkin carver Greg Demaline; and Maryse Swanson, winner of Disney's Foodtastic.
Visitors can watch the artists carve throughout the weekend, then come back to see the finished pieces on display through Sunday.
Downtown businesses, restaurants and nonprofits will also get into the spirit by commissioning their own professionally carved pumpkins. Those pieces will be displayed along 8th Street and inside downtown shops and restaurants.
New this year is a Pumpkin Photo Wall outside GDK Park. The wall was custom-built by Cento Anni and will be filled with pumpkins from Holland Farmers Market vendors. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.
So yes, there will be plenty of opportunities for a fall photo.
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Saturday is packed with activities for families.
At the Holland Farmers Market, kids can paint their own mini pumpkins from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $1 each, while supplies last. Paint, pumpkins and brushes will be provided. Families can also play fall-themed games for a chance to win prizes.
Over at Windmill Island Gardens, kids and families can get an up-close look at big trucks during the Touch a Truck event from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hayrides will run during the same hours.
Windmill Island has a $5 admission fee, which includes access to the island, its Dutch attractions and the Touch a Truck event. Hayrides are an additional $1 per person for ages 3 and up.
And if you happen to be walking around downtown Saturday afternoon, keep an eye out for the street performers. From noon to 4 p.m., visitors can find live music, balloon animals, face painting and more throughout downtown. The activities are free, although tips for performers are appreciated.
The Fall Fest Makers Market will return to Holland Civic Center Place with about 50 local artisans, crafters and makers.
The market will be open from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, with no entry fee.
Shoppers can browse pottery, jewelry, candles, paintings, food and plenty of other handmade goods, making it an easy place to pick up something a little different while supporting local makers.
The Holland Farmers Market will also be open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Even in October, there are tulips to think about.
Community members can sign up to help plant Holland's famous tulip bulbs at Window on the Waterfront alongside the City of Holland Parks Department and Tulip Time Festival.
Planting sessions are offered Friday from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., and Saturday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Advance registration is required through Tulip Time.
Friday night brings another popular Holland tradition: the annual Fire Truck Parade.
The parade begins at 7 p.m. at the corner of 8th Street and Columbia Avenue before heading west toward Holland Civic Center Place.
After the parade, the West Michigan Fire Prevention Council will host an open house from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Civic Center parking lot, with fire safety demonstrations, giveaways and other activities for families.
Fall Fest isn't just for the kids.
New for 2026, Proost! Tasting Tour: Fall Fest Edition offers a 21-and-over guided walking tour through downtown Holland.
Tours are offered at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. The experience includes stops at Culture Cheese Shop, Waverly Stone and New Holland Brewing, with three drink samples paired with small bites at each stop.
Tickets are required in advance.
One of the best parts of Fall Fest is that you don't necessarily have to stick to one location.
You can start the morning at the farmers market, wander through the Makers Market, watch the pumpkin carvers work, let the kids paint pumpkins, head over to Windmill Island for a hayride and Touch a Truck, then make your way back downtown for street performers and the growing collection of giant pumpkins.
Most of the festival is free, with fees for a handful of activities, including Proost!, Windmill Island admission, hayrides and pumpkin painting.
Fall Fest is sponsored by T-Mobile and organized in partnership with Downtown Holland, Holland Farmers Market, Tulip Time Festival and Windmill Island Gardens.
Whether you're coming for the giant pumpkins, the kids' activities, the local shopping or simply an excuse to get outside and enjoy Holland in the fall, there's plenty happening downtown Oct. 2 and 3.
*Advance registration is required for Community Tulip Planting and Proost! Tasting Tours. For the latest details and tickets, visit Downtown Holland's official Fall Fest page.
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