The holidays are here, which means it’s time to kick your festive spirit into high gear. And what better way to do that than watching local businesses and downtown areas light up for the season? In metro Detroit, you will find a variety of holiday events, plus Christmas displays and tree lightings, but if you venture beyond southeast Michigan, you’ll find even more family fun.
On the western side of the mitten, cities like Grand Rapids and Holland celebrate the holidays in a big way – from Christmas-centric tree lightings to Hanukkah celebrations. Take the ride out there to find some holiday displays to enjoy this season, and be sure to check out the city’s other family fun activities, too.
Outdoor Tree Lighting at the Gerald R. Ford Museum
Nov. 16, 2017
- Address: Gerald R. Ford Museum, 303 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-254-0400
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Cost: Free
This annual gets local families in the holiday spirit with live music and sing-alongs before the announcement of the Community Tree Awards and the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree.
Sparta Christmas Tree Lighting and Shop and Stroll Event at the Sparta Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Nov. 17, 2017
- Address: Sparta Chamber of Commerce, 156 E. Division St., Sparta
- Phone: 616-887-2454
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Cost: Free
The scent of roasted chestnuts is in the air and lights are aglow at this annual event. Check out the lights, take a free train ride and visit with Santa as he lights the tree.
Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World at Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Nov. 21, 2017-Jan. 7, 2018
- Address: Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-957-1580
- Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; open until 9 p.m. for extended holiday hours Dec. 18-23 and 26-30, 2017
- Cost: $14.50/adults, $11/seniors and students, $7/ages 5-13, $4/ages 3-4, free/ages 2 and under
This exhibition features 40 tree displays that showcase the holiday traditions around the world; plus strolling carolers, reindeer, a railway garden exhibit and more.
Christmas Light Show at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park
Nov. 22-Dec. 31, 2017
- Address: Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 W. River Drive NE, Comstock Park
- Phone: 616-745-9955
- Time: 5:30-9:30 p.m.
- Cost: $20/cars, minivans and SUVs, $30-$75/limos or buses
Bring the whole family for a 2-mile car ride through this 20th annual holiday display, which features millions of lights and more than 40 animated holiday displays. Watch out for the special events like the Reindeer Ride, Rudolph Fun Run & Walk, Memory Lane Train and Santa’s Winter Wonderland during the season. Open on holidays.
Gaslight Village Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nov. 24, 2017
- Address: Gaslight Village, 2232 Wealthy St. SE, East Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-949-2110
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Santa and his friends are here ready to light the Christmas tree. Snag a photo with him, visit with his reindeer, hang out around the bonfire and take a carriage or trolley ride before and after the big moment.
Light Up Downtown at Rosa Parks Circle
Dec. 1, 2017
- Address: Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-719-4610
- Time: 5-7 p.m.
- Cost: Free/admission; fees apply for ice skating and other activities
Kick off the holidays with some music sung by the Good Tidings Caroling Company and a performance by the Western Michigan University Synchronized Skating Team. Then, watch as the holiday displays are switched on for the 2017. There’s open ice skating (for a fee) and photo ops with Santa and the Mrs., too.
Sinterklaas Eve Celebration in Downtown Holland
Dec. 1, 2017
- Address: Downtown Holland area
- Phone: 616-796-3329
- Time: 6-9 p.m.
- Cost: Free
This Dutch tradition offers stories and games; plus the chance to make a Dutch lantern and visit with St. Nicholas, who arrives on a white horse and leads families on a march to Centennial Park where he’ll light the Christmas tree.
Grandville Tree Lighting at the Grandville Library Amphitheater
Dec. 4, 2017
- Address: Grandville Library Amphitheater, 4055 Maple St. SW, Grandville
- Contact: meenderingt@cityofgrandville.com
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Cost: Free
The city will light their tree to the sounds of carols sung by local third graders. Be sure to swing by on Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. for the town’s annual Christmas parade, too.
Grand Menorah Lighting at Calder Plaza
Dec. 12-19, 2017
- Address: Calder Plaza, 300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-957-0770
- Time: 5 p.m.
- Cost: Free
The Chabad of Grand Rapids is celebrating Chanukah this year with tons of fun including live music and dancing and hot latkes and fresh doughnuts; plus, the highlight of this event, the lighting of a publically displayed Grand Menorah on Dec. 17.
Zoo Lights at the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek
Dec. 15-23, 2017
- Address: Binder Park Zoo, 7400 Division Drive, Battle Creek
- Phone: 269-979-1351
- Time: 5-8:30 p.m.
- Cost: $6/nonmembers, $5/members, free/kids under age 2
Take a walk through the beautifully decorated zoo to see some of the animals that thrive in the wintertime doing their thing. There will be free carousel rides, meet-and-greets with some of the animals, visits and dinner with Santa, a story with Mrs. Claus and more during the event, too.