History

The International Festival of Holland celebrates the variety of cultures living, working, and playing in West Michigan. It creates awareness of our neighbors here and across the world in a fun, family-oriented way. The best way to do this is through everyone's favorite things: food, music, art, and shopping!

The first International Festival of Holland in 2019 set the bar for future festivals by bringing together 75 musicians and dancers, from traditional tribal dance to Japanese drumming to Cuban jazz. The first Festival Mercado offered shoppers and diners an amazing assortment of global goods and international cuisine. At the Children's Fiesta, kids received their Festival passport and created global masterpieces. More than 2,500 people attended this first festival, confirming the community desire for gatherings that foster cultural understanding and appreciation so that we can grow as a more welcoming and inclusive community.

The 2021 festival brought another opportunity for West Michigan to travel the world without a suitcase. It featured new performers, more Mercado vendors, and exciting hands-on Fiesta fun. The 2022 International Festival of Holland is going to be bigger and better yet with award-winning international performers, a "world cup" soccer tournament for female middle school athletes, an expanded Mercado, and a pumped up Children's Fiesta. Pre-festival activities for students, artists, and the local business community will make this year's festival the biggest and best yet!

The International Festival of Holland is brought to you by the City of Holland's International Relations Commission (IRC), the International Festival Advisory Board, and our generous sponsors and supporters who join us in making a firm commitment to celebrate cultures through personal, professional, and/or business affiliations as we work to make the City of Holland connected to and growing with the wider world.