Christmas Parades & Santa Parades
Kicking off the holiday season with a Christmas parade is one of the most festive Christmas Events of the season.
Santa Parades are a wonderful way to usher in the holiday season.
Showstoppers include the Grand Rapids Santa Parade, Holland and Hudsonville celebrations.
For an extra treat, look for Santa parades on the event list that happen at night, like Zeeland’s Magical Christmas Parade (as seen in the feature image for this article).
These nighttime parades are filled with lights and bring a whole new element to the holiday parade experience. This year, GR’s Santa Parade joins that list!
2024 CHristmas Parades
Confirmed
Thursday, Nov 21, 2024
Hudsonville
Monday, Dec 2, 2024
Zeeland
Tuesday, Dec 3, 2024
Holland
Thursday, Dec 5, 2024
Kentwood
Friday, Dec 6, 2024
Coopersville, Greenville
Saturday, Dec 7, 2024
Fennville, White Lake, Cedar Springs, Ada, Grandville, Grand Haven, Caledonia, Lowell, Grand Rapids, Rockford
Saturday, Dec 14, 2024
South Kent
Unconfirmed
Sparta
thursDAY
Nov 21, 2024
1 Parade
Hudsonville
Hudsonville Nighttime Holiday Parade
Thurs Nov 21, 2024
4:30 PM – Santa Photos, Refreshments
6 PM – Tree Lighting
6:30 – 7:30 PM – Nighttime Holiday Parade
Downtown Hudsonville, Harvey St, Hudsonville, MI 49426
Annual Hudsonville Holiday Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting
Hudsonville is excited for an enchanting evening of holiday celebrations!
Santa Photos, Reindeer, Refreshments
Starting at 4:30 PM, visit the Fountain of Honor near Gemmens to take photos with Santa, warm up with hot chocolate, and get a chance to pet a reindeer. Plus, local businesses have lined up fun-filled (and free!) activities for kids. 
6 PM: Tree Lighting Ceremony Mark your calendars for the highlight of the evening – the tree lighting ceremony at 6 PM.
6:30 PM: HOLIDAY PARADE
Back for its second year, this nighttime parade promises a magical experience under the shimmering holiday lights.
Monday
Dec 2, 2024
1 Parade
Zeeland
Zeeland’s Magical Christmas Parade
Mon Dec 2, 2024
6:15 PM- Christmas Tree Lighting
6:30 PM – Parade
Downtown Zeeland, Main Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464
Zeeland’s Annual Christmas parade is a heart-warming, lighted parade, which is guaranteed to bring smiles to thousands of spectators of all ages! 
Among all of the creative entries, walking groups & marching bands, the grand finale of the parade will be Santa Claus himself!
The parade beings at the corner of Main Ave and Centennial Street. It will then proceed west down Main Ave to Elm Street. It will then turn south on Elm Street to Central Ave. Turning left (east) onto Central St. down to the finish at Central and Maple Street.
Tuesday
Dec 3, 2024
1 Parade
Holland
Holland Christmas Parade of Lights
Tue, Dec 3, 2024
6:30 pm
Downtown Holland 150 W 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
Santa Claus arrives in Downtown Holland during the annual Parade of Lights on Tuesday, December 3 at 6:30 PM.
He’ll be escorted by 75 floats, trucks, antique cars, walkers, and marching bands…all decked out from top to bottom in thousands of sparkling lights!
This brightly lit holiday procession is fun for the entire family and a holiday tradition for the entire community.
The Parade of Lights will begin at the corner of 8th Street and Columbia Avenue at 6:30 PM and proceed west down 8th Street until it reaches the Holland Civic Center, home of the Holiday Kerstmarkt.
And don’t miss the Magic at the Mill light show.
thursday
Dec 5, 2024
1 Parade
Kentwood
Kentwood Tree Lighting & Holiday Light Parade
Thu Dec 5, 2024
6:00 PM – Holiday Light Parade
6:30 PM – Tree Lighting
6:45 PM – Visit with Santa
Kent District Library – Kentwood Branch, 4950 Breton Rd SE, Kentwood, MI 49508
Join Kentwood for their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony!
The event takes place in front of the Kentwood Library starting with the holiday light parade.
There will also be:
– kid’s crafts
– holiday music,
– and of course a visit from Santa!
They will be accepting non-perishable food donations for their Little Free Pantry to help through the winter season.
The Holiday Light Parade will begin at 6 PM.
The parade route will start at Kentwood Public Works parking lot at 5068 Breton SE. Parade will exit out the driveway on Breton and travel north and end at Kentwood Justice Center. Paddy Matters will have food available for purchase and Palmer House coffee will have coffee and hot chocolate.
Friday
dec 6, 2024
2 Parade
Coopersville
Coopersville Christmas Parade
Fri Dec 6, 2024
Open House at Coopersville Farm Museum – 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Pocket Park Tree Lighting – 6:00 PM
Parade – 6:30 PM
Downtown Coopersville, Main St, Coopersville, MI 49404
Coopersville’s favorite winter event is almost here! This year marks the 44th Annual Christmas Parade. This year’s theme is “Parade of Lights”. We want to light up the sky around Coopersville!
Start the evening with a parade through town and wrap it up at Pocket Park as the Community Christmas Tree is lit up to kick off the Holiday Season.
The parade Line up will be on Main Street, West of Eastmanville. Floats will head East and end on Coopersville Schools Campus.
Lineup is first come basis, no holding spots.
After the parade, head to the Community Service Building for Hot Chocolate & Cookies, listen to some Christmas Music presented by the Coopersville Community Band and SANTA CLAUS!
Greenville
Greenville Christmas Parade
Fri Dec 6, 2024
Parade – 7 PM
Greenville Downtown Historic District, Greenville, MI 48838
Head to downtown Greenville for a fun and festive holiday event!
SCHEDULE
5:30-7:00p
Santa & Mrs. Claus will be on-hand for pictures
Free hot cocoa bar
Photo opportunities
Christmas carols
7:00-7:30p
Christmas parade down Lafayette St. (Cass to Grove)
7:45-8p
Christmas Tree lighting at Lafayette Park
Saturday
Dec 7, 2024
10 Parades
Fennville
Holiday Magic in Downtown Fennville
Sat Dec 7, 2024
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Downtown Fennville, Fennville, MI 49408
Spend all day celebrating Christmas in Fennville.
Visit Holiday Magic locations throughout downtown Fennville to experience:
– Pancake breakfast
– Santa Snaps (pictures with Santa)
– Christmas Carol-oke
– holiday market
– live reindeer
– train show
– holiday stories
– giving tree
– cookie decorating
– scavenger hunt
– craft walk
Finish your day enjoying the Holiday Lights Parade at 5:30 followed by the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Community Sing.
Cedar Springs
Cedar Springs Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting & Kris Kringle Mingle
Sat Dec 7, 2024
9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Cedar Springs Public Library, 107 N Main St NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319
The first Saturday in December the CSACoC and friends host A Cedar Springs Christmas “Mingle with Kris Kringle.”
Spend the Day Celebrating Christmas in Cedar Springs
It’s an all-day event starting with:
– events at the Cedar Springs Public Library
– going to Story Time with Mrs. Claus at Perry’s Place
– Christmas Parade
– Christmas Tree Lighting
– ending with Mingling with Kris Kringle (and pictures) by the fireplace in the Cedar Springs Public Library.
Ada
Ada Christmas Parade
Sat Dec 7, 2024
10 AM
Downtown Ada, Michigan
Ada Firefighters are again welcoming Santa to town on Saturday, December 7.
The parade kicks off at 10 AM with lineup along River Street starting at 9 AM. No registration is required to participate in the parade. (The parade route leaves River Street, then right onto Thornapple River Drive, left onto Ada Drive, then right on Thornapple River Drive, ending at the Fire Station
After Santa parades through the village, he will make a stop at the Fire Station for some hot chocolate and cookies – and of course, a photo opp or two. So bundle up and come on out! The event is free and open to all.
Rockford
Rockford Santa Parade
Sat Dec 7, 2024
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Downtown Rockford, 25 Squires Street Square NE, Rockford, MI 49341
Join us at the 80th Annual Santa Parade in Rockford to welcome Santa to town for the Holiday!
Parade starts at 11 AM at Lewis & Main Street. They will go South on Main, turn on Courtland, and continue down Monroe Street. 
Santa will be in the Rotary Pavilion following the parade to visit with children until 2 PM.
White Lake
White Lake Area Christmas Parade
Sat Dec 7, 2024
2:00 pm
Whitehall City Hall, 405 E Colby St, Whitehall, MI 49461
Santa’s comin’ to town!
Join the White Hall community on December 7 at 2 PM for the Annual Christmas Parade in downtown Montague and Whitehall.
With over 50 festive entries, the parade is a very special slice of “small town America” and a great way to celebrate this holiday season with family, friends, and neighbors.
Santa will make his entrance as the grand finale.
Caledonia
Christmas in Caledonia Parade, Santa, Tree Lighting & More
Sat Dec 7, 2024
4:00 pm
Downtown Caledonia, Caledonia, MI 49316
The Event starts at 4 PM on Main St. of Caledonia on Saturday, December 7.
Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for an evening of celebration in Downtown Caledonia for an evening of food, warm fires, and festivities!
Santa will make an appearance and will be available for photos.
The parade of lights starts at 6 PM, with Santa leading the parade.
Caledonia Dance & Music Center will perform immediately following the parade, allowing Santa to return to the Village Christmas Tree for the ceremonial lighting.
Food trucks will be on-site plus wood-burning outdoor fireplaces. Choral and musical groups will be wandering the streets.
Grandville
Grandville Stationary Christmas Parade, Market & Tree Lighting
Sat Dec 7, 2024
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Downtown Grandville, Grandville, MI
Once again, in place of a traditional parade, the City of Grandville will be closing Chicago Drive mid-day on Saturday, December 7 and staging a stationary parade.
Parade viewers can stroll along Chicago Drive and view all of the “floats.” There will also be holiday animals, Dickens Carolers, North Pole houses, character photo stops, and stages for Christmas musicians.
In the lots around the stationary parade, they will have train rides, food vendors, a mini Christmas market, the mega tree, a synthetic ice rink, and more.
The tree lighting, hosted by Grandville City Council and accompanied by the GHS marching band, will take place at 5:30 PM by the big tree along Chicago Drive.
Festivities may be enjoyed anytime throughout the evening from 5 – 8 PM.
All activities (except skate rental) are free. Bring your own skates or rent for $5.00. All lines will be long.
The parade and Christmas market will end at 8:00 PM. The Rudolph train ride and synthetic ice rink will run until 8:30 PM. Food vendors will set their own prices.
Grand Haven
Grand Haven Jingle Bell Parade & Central Park Tree Lighting
Sat Dec 7, 2024
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Downtown Grand Haven, Grand Haven, MI
Join us for the Annual Jingle Bell Parade on December 7, presented by the Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg! Holiday fun for the whole family.
The parade starts at 6:00 PM and weaves through downtown Grand Haven.
It starts on Franklin Street, goes West to Harbor Drive, North on Harbor to Washington, and East on Washington to Central Park for the lighting of the Christmas Tree.
Lowell
Lowell’s Annual Night-Time Santa Parade
Sat Dec 7, 2024
6:00 PM
Downtown Lowell, Main Street, Lowell, MI
Christmas lights, light up the night at Annual Night-Time Santa Parade.
The parade wraps up a day of holiday activities on December 7 in Lowell that include:
– a pancake supper
– a book sale
– a live nativity
– Rudolph’s Craft Workshop
– Santa visits on the Lowell Showboat VI
– Hot Chocolate and Cookies in the Chamber
The parade is the highlight of the day-long festivities, and the holiday entries light up the darkness with this year’s theme of “12 Days of Christmas.”
The parade begins on Riverside Drive heading east on Main Street and ends at the Lowell United Methodist Church.
Grand Rapids
Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Claus Parade
Sat Dec 7, 2024
5 PM
Downtown Grand Rapids – traveling south on Division St to Crescent.
Big news! The Santa Claus Parade is back with an all new date, December 7.
The beloved Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Claus Parade begins on Division Street, traveling south toward Crescent. They’ll make their way to Louis and Monroe, finishing on Campau.
The parade is on the longer side, hoping to wrap up by 6:45 PM. Get there early for the best seats! 
Saturday
Dec 14, 2024
1 Parade
South Kent
South Kent Chamber Santa Parade
Sat Dec 14, 2024
10 AM
34th St Mall, Wyoming, MI
Celebrate the magic of the holiday season in Wyoming with the 18th Annual Santa Parade.
The parade starts at 10AM at the 34th St. Mall (3375 S Division Ave SW, Wyoming, MI) and heads South down Division toward 44th st.
Unconfirmed Dates
Sparta
Light Up Sparta Parade & Fireworks!
Date: TBD
Kick off Christmas at the Shop Sparta Event.
In Sparta Town Square, from 5 PM – 8 PM, enjoy:
– S’mores roasting hosted by Tom’s Hometown Bakery
– Free hot cocoa with Scout Troop 704
– Food Trucks & Roasted Chestnuts
Watch a light-up parade through downtown Sparta at 6 PM, then see Santa light the Grand Tree after the parade. 
6-8 pm in the Civic Center:
West Michigan Arts Council will have live music, a doll display, cider, cookies, and a cash bar. The Sparta Lions Club will be doing their annual Turkey and Wreath Giveaway. 
A fireworks finale is scheduled for 7:30 pm! There will be vendors at Dance with Me by Amber Marie and the North Kent Eagles.
*Fireworks viewing from Sparta Town Square at 201 E Division, Downtown Sparta, MI.
Plus, Take a stroll on Candy Cane Lane, a lighted walking path located along Nash Creek from the bridge to behind the library. The Lights, Candy Canes, & inflatable Christmas Characters will help to get you in the spirit!
November 17 – January 31, 2023
80 N Union St, Sparta
