MUSEUMS
ENTERTAINMENT & PERFORMANCES
THISTLES FLOWER MARKET CARTS
Nestled in downtown Pella since 1985, Thistles Flower Market brings beauty and connects the community in every season. Thistles will be selling flowers, tulip bulbs, and more from two bike carts and a pushcart throughout the festival at Central Park, Scholte Gardens, and the Klokkenspel.
MUSEUMS
PELLA HISTORICAL VILLAGE & VERMEER WINDMILL 507 FRANKLIN ST. | 9 A. M.– 6 P. M. | $ 25 ADULT, $ 18 YOUTH( 5 – 18) Plan to spend a few hours here. The Vermeer Windmill alone— one of the tallest working windmills in North America— is worth the trip. Add in the Wyatt Earp Boyhood Home, a Dutch bakery, a grist mill, live craft demos, and 45,000 tulips throughout the grounds and you ' ve got a full afternoon.
SCHOLTE HOUSE MUSEUM 728 WASHINGTON ST. | 9 A. M.– 6 P. M. | $ 12 ADULT, $ 7 YOUTH( 5 – 18)
Built in six months in 1847 by Pella ' s founder for his wife, this 175-year-old home is the heart of the city ' s history. Tour the rooms, then wander into the Scholte Gardens out back.
TUTTLE CABIN 608 LINCOLN ST.
Pella ' s oldest building— the very cabin where Dominie Scholte sealed the deal on the city ' s land. The Tuttle Learning Walk traces the full journey of Pella ' s Dutch founders, from the Netherlands to Iowa.
FIRE HOUSE MUSEUM 614 MAIN ST.
An 1882 firehouse with an antique engine, old firefighting gear, and an actual jail cell. A quick stop the kids will love.
VETERANS MUSEUM 829 BROADWAY ST.
Civil War to the Global War on Terror— artifacts donated by Pella families, honoring the community ' s long tradition of service. Sponsored by the VFW / American Legion.
PELLA ROLSCREEN DEPOT MUSEUM 102 MAIN ST.
On the National Register of Historic Places, this former railroad depot traces Pella ' s industrial roots— from the Rolscreen Company ' s arrival in 1926 to today ' s Pella Corporation.
ENTERTAINMENT & PERFORMANCES
AFTERNOON GRANDSTAND SHOW TULIP TOREN, FRANKLIN ST. | 1 P. M. DAILY | BLEACHERS $ 15, PARK $ 10
Dutch dancing, a Costume Culture Show, the Tulip Queen ' s official presentation— and your ticket gets you prime parade viewing right after.
EVENING FEESTHOUDEN SHOW TULIP TOREN, FRANKLIN ST. | 7 P. M. THURS & FRI, 6:30 P. M. SAT | FREE
Three nights, three completely different shows— and all of them free.
Thursday— Valley Church Worship Team: Hope-filled worship music from West Des Moines. Sponsored by Kreykes & Chaplin, PLC and Recker Dental Care.
Friday— Baldknobbers Jamboree: Branson ' s longest-running variety show, now in its third generation, brings country, comedy, gospel, and classic rock— plus Pella ' s own Megan McCombs Mabe. Sponsored by Pella Corporation.
Saturday— XOLEX: Iowa ' s rising countrypop singer-songwriter delivers big vocals and even bigger stories. Sponsored by Pella Corporation.
FIREWORKS! FRIDAY NIGHT, AFTER THE LIGHTED PARADE
Pella lights up the sky Friday night, courtesy of Pella Corporation. Rain date: Saturday evening.
PARADES 2:45 P. M. & 8:30 P. M. DAILY | DOWNTOWN PELLA
Twice a day, the streets come alive. The afternoon Volks Parade rolls through right after the Grandstand Show; the evening Lighted Parade turns the whole downtown into something magical. Both route north on Main, around the Square, and east to the Historical Village.
PELLA OPERA HOUSE 611 FRANKLIN ST.
A gorgeous historic theater with something going on all weekend— including a Martini Huis for adults who need a break. Check pellaoperahouse. org for the full lineup.
KLOKKENSPEL 625 FRANKLIN ST.
Pella ' s iconic 147-bell carillon performs throughout the festival. Look up— the figures that emerge to tell Pella ' s story are worth catching.
PELLA’ S TULIP TIME 2026 7