Orange City Tulip Festival
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Dutch Dozen

The Dutch Dozen was formed in 1947, and continues to be a highlight of the festival each year. A group of 12 young ladies and 12 young men, all in high school, provide a colorful, light-hearted and melodious journey through Old Holland, with most of the choreographed singing in Dutch. Dutch Dozen members wear traditional Volendam costumes, and the ladies wear signature orange klompen, or wooden shoes.

An audience favorite is traditionally “Daar bij de Molen” (“There by the Windmill”), which is performed on a darkened stage with the aid of black lights shining on the orange klompen and hand-made sleeves in the shape of the blades of a windmill. A they sing, a pair of girls standing back-to-back move their extended arms up and down in opposite directions, creating the illusion of moving windmill blades. Pictured above.

You’ll also find the members of the Dutch Dozen performing with the senior Dutch Dancers during Straat Feest and riding De Schutter boat float during the Volksparade.

Days: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

Times: Shows performed daily at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 4 pm

Location: Town Hall, 125 Central Ave SE

Cost: $10 (at door or online)

Link Name/Link: Purchased ONLINE HERE, or tickets are included in the Value Books.

More Events and Attractions

All 30 /May 13 - Wed 4 /May 14 - Thu 23 /May 15 - Fri 24 /May 16 - Sat 28 /May 17 - Sun 2

Night Show

Stipwerk Luncheon

Dutch Dozen

Street Scrubbing

Century Home

Tour de Tulips Bike Ride

Drum Line Performances

Fly-In Breakfast

Vogel Old Mill

Craft Show

ArtBurst

Community Worship Service

Fietsen Zangers

Children’s Art Exhibit

The Volksparade

Carnival

Tulip Talk in Windmill Park

Wooden Shoe Carving

Pedicabs

Antique Tractor Show

Dutch American Heritage Museum

Petting Zoo

Stadscentrum

Model Tractor Show

Horse-Drawn Trolley Tours

Dutch Street Organ

Windmill Park

Straat Feest

Cruise-In Car Show

Tulip Festival Road Race

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Visit Us May 14-16, 2026

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Latest News

  • Queen’s Crowning Event Live StreamNovember 23, 2025 - 10:08 am
  • 2026 Tulip Court CandidatesSeptember 15, 2025 - 11:06 am

Contact Us

509 8th St SE
Orange City, IA 51041

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