West Michigan Christmas Events
feature image is of the annual Whoville 5K.
Twinkling lights, fresh snow, and the excitement in the air – If you are like me, you want to soak in as many of these holiday moments and Christmas events as you can.
We invite you to use this Christmas Events Guide to fill your December with Christmas lights, holiday shopping, Christmas Parades, and lots of holiday cheer and family fun this holiday season.
It’s jam-packed with loads of Christmas things to do and holiday events that will help you create memories that will last for years to come.
Christmas Events & Activities Menu
Featured Holiday Events
Cue the hot cocoa and Christmas carols.
There are sweet Christmas events and things to do on this very nice list!
Christmas Event in Comstock Park
Christmas Lite Show is celebrating 25 years of lighting up faces and keeping spirits bright in West Michigan!
Drive in the warmth of your vehicle on a nearly two mile trail and view million of lights and bright multi-shaped tunnels. Plus over 60 animated displays featuring new ocean, playground and snow globe scenes.
We feature several ways to experience the magic:
~ Take the one-night-only Winter Wonder Walk on November 12. You'll experience the joy through every step and smile. (Registration required)
~ Ride your bike through the lights on November 13 during the Reindeer Bike Ride. (Registration required)
~ Hop aboard the open air Memory Lane Train for it's 25th year giving rides along the trail
~ And of course the most popular option: in the comfort of your own vehicle
We are open every night, including holidays, starting the night before Thanksgiving and ending New Year's Eve night.
Drive in the warmth of your vehicle on a nearly two mile trail and view million of lights and bright multi-shaped tunnels. Plus over 60 animated displays featuring new ocean, playground and snow globe scenes.
We feature several ways to experience the magic:
~ Take the one-night-only Winter Wonder Walk on November 12. You'll experience the joy through every step and smile. (Registration required)
~ Ride your bike through the lights on November 13 during the Reindeer Bike Ride. (Registration required)
~ Hop aboard the open air Memory Lane Train for it's 25th year giving rides along the trail
~ And of course the most popular option: in the comfort of your own vehicle
We are open every night, including holidays, starting the night before Thanksgiving and ending New Year's Eve night.
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(616) 745-9955
[email protected]
Christmas Event in Auburn Hills
This holiday season, let your imagination run wild at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, Michigan's ultimate indoor LEGO® playground!
Build, create and play in ten themed play areas jam-packed with millions of LEGO Bricks!
Enjoy two BRICKtastic rides, experience some magic in the 4D theatre, and build and test your own creations! You can even explore your favorite miniature Detroit landmarks all decked out in their holiday best in MINILAND.
Create memories this holiday season at LEGOLAND Discovery Center.
This indoor attraction is best suited for groups with children ages 4-10. Adults must be accompanied by a child in order to enter.
Build, create and play in ten themed play areas jam-packed with millions of LEGO Bricks!
Enjoy two BRICKtastic rides, experience some magic in the 4D theatre, and build and test your own creations! You can even explore your favorite miniature Detroit landmarks all decked out in their holiday best in MINILAND.
Create memories this holiday season at LEGOLAND Discovery Center.
This indoor attraction is best suited for groups with children ages 4-10. Adults must be accompanied by a child in order to enter.
Facebook
(248) 409-6001
[email protected]
Christmas Event in Auburn Hills
Bring your family to visit SEA LIFE, Michigan’s largest Aquarium, and experience some underwater holiday magic!
Come face-to-fin with over 250 species and 2,000+ creatures including sharks, rays, and green sea turtles.
Get hands-on with a 'splash'-tacular sea star or sticky anemone at our Touchpool and then walk through Michigan's ONLY underwater Ocean Tunnel! This experience will have the whole family exclaiming 'ho-ho-holy cow!'
'Sea' what other amazing discoveries you'll uncover when you visit SEA LIFE Aquarium!
Come face-to-fin with over 250 species and 2,000+ creatures including sharks, rays, and green sea turtles.
Get hands-on with a 'splash'-tacular sea star or sticky anemone at our Touchpool and then walk through Michigan's ONLY underwater Ocean Tunnel! This experience will have the whole family exclaiming 'ho-ho-holy cow!'
'Sea' what other amazing discoveries you'll uncover when you visit SEA LIFE Aquarium!
Facebook
(248) 409-6001
[email protected]
Christmas Event in Auburn Hills
Enjoy the holiday season with guaranteed snorts and giggles at Peppa Pig World of Play!
You and your little piggies will explore (and play in!) more than a dozen free-roaming play areas, all lovingly inspired by the cherished TV series.
You'll discover Peppa's Treehouse, Rebecca Rabbit's Underground Adventure, George's Fort, Granddad Dog's Garage, Madame Gazelle's School Bus, and more!
This indoor attraction is designed for children ages 1-8 years old.
You and your little piggies will explore (and play in!) more than a dozen free-roaming play areas, all lovingly inspired by the cherished TV series.
You'll discover Peppa's Treehouse, Rebecca Rabbit's Underground Adventure, George's Fort, Granddad Dog's Garage, Madame Gazelle's School Bus, and more!
This indoor attraction is designed for children ages 1-8 years old.
Facebook
(248) 392-2121
[email protected]
Christmas Event in Holland
Create a memory at Paint a Pot located in Holland!
We offer pottery for all ages. Banks, boxes, platters, plates, mugs, etc.
No appointments are needed, just come on in. Invite family or friends and plan a date!
Check us out on Facebook or our website for more details.
We offer pottery for all ages. Banks, boxes, platters, plates, mugs, etc.
No appointments are needed, just come on in. Invite family or friends and plan a date!
Check us out on Facebook or our website for more details.
Facebook
(616) 355-6442
[email protected]
Santa Events
Visiting Santa Claus
Seeing Santa and taking a photo with Santa is one of the most popular Christmas events!
Santa is, without a doubt, one of the most recognizable figures around the world. And every year he (sometimes it’s Santa and Mrs. Claus!) visits West Michigan children at many area locations.
Check out the Santa Sightings list for all the places you’ll find Grand Rapids Christmas events with Santa.
Nutcrackers, Christmas Plays & Holiday Concerts
Christmas Events that Take the Stage
Get off the screens and experience a live performance. Whether professional or students, there is nothing quite as magical.
Don’t miss the one-night only Hip Hop Nutcracker at DeVos Performance Hall.
Or go traditional and watch the Grand Rapids Ballet’s Nutcracker.
Revisit a tale as old as time when Beauty and the Beast comes to the Civic Theatre.
These and so many more are ready to dazzle us this holiday season.
Christmas Parades
CHRISTMAS PARADES, SANTA PARADES & HOLIDAY PARADES
West Michigan loves holiday parades – including the Grand Rapids Gentex Santa Parade with Lowell’s own real Santa! This year, there are 16 holiday parades on our list!
Nighttime Christmas parades are all over this year. Hudsonville returns with staples like Zeeland’s Magical Christmas Parade and Lowell’s Annual Nighttime Santa Parade.
Use our list to find a Christmas parade or holiday parade near you.
Holiday Tree Lightings
COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING EVENTS
There’s nothing quite like standing outside, bundled up in your warmest winter clothes and clutching a mug filled with hot chocolate, eagerly anticipating the very first time the Christmas tree is lit with thousands of lights.
Luckily, there are several places around west Michigan with holiday tree lightings.
While some are stand-alone Christmas tree lightings, others really bring their A Game in conjunction with holiday parades.
You can re-live the magic again and again – all in one season.
Christmas Holiday Trains
CHRISTMAS AND TRAINS GO TOGETHER
There is something magical about trains at Christmas time.
Polar Express look-alikes ride the rails throughout the state all month long – but snag your tickets as early as August to reserve your seats on some of them.
Watch the model train round the bends at Meijer Gardens or find the old “Breton Village train” at its new home at the Ford Museum.
Kids and adults alike look forward to these favorite West Michigan traditions every year.
Live Nativities
WATCH THE CHRISTMAS STORY COME TO LIFE
If you are looking for a fun way to visualize the Nativity scene, check out a live Nativity.
These scenes have real people reenacting the original Christmas scene including live animals. Some places include refreshments, live music, or a narrator retelling the Christmas story.
Is your church or group hosting a Live Nativity as well? Submit your event here to get featured in our events calendar and on this list.
Free Christmas Events & Activities
FUN FOR ANY BUDGET
Cost doesn’t need to hold you back from Christmas fun.
Stroll through Candy Cane Lane in Sparta.
Be amazed by all the wreaths at the Festival of Wreaths in Muskegon.
Check out a downtown lit up and decorated for the holidays.
West Michigan is filled with opportunities for free Christmas fun.
Christmas Markets
FEEL WARM AND COZY AT AN OPEN-AIR MARKET
Christmas markets are Michigan’s best kept secret – and they start well before December.
Head up to Manistee for Old Christmas Weekend.
Live it up in Frankenmuth at ‘ChristKindlMakt’ to get handmade gifts, spiced wine and a magical atmosphere — and all by Bronner’s.
Stay closer to home at Holland’s 26th Kerstmarkt for shopping, food and even dogsled demos.
Bundle up and hit the road to find the best Christmas markets in Michigan.
One of a Kind Christmas Events
Looking for something a little different?
These Christmas events are not your usual celebration and are a fun way to get moving this season.
Frederik Meijer Gardens
AN ANNUAL TRADITION FOR MANY WEST MICHIGAN FAMILIES
Frederik Meijer Gardens is known for their many gorgeous displays and gardens. Their annual Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibit is no exception.
Running just before Thanksgiving until early January, this exhibit showcases over 40 trees decorated in different themes of cultures around the world.
The Holiday Light Show returns for 2023. The 20-minute looping, interactive light show will happen outdoors in the Amphitheater. Catch it December 19–23 and 26–30, 2022, with light shows running every half hour, from 6–8 pm.
Tuesdays are really special when Santa visits and Dickens carolers serenade visitors.
Reindeer wait outside on Saturdays for pictures and maybe a nose rub.
No matter what day of the week you visit, awe-inspiring sights await.
I love this fun resource. Thank you for all your hard work, compiling this.