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 (back for 2023!), 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.
2023 CHristmas Parades
Thursday, Nov 16, 2023
Hudsonville
Friday, Nov 17, 2023
Sparta
Saturday, Nov 18, 2023
Grand Rapids
Monday, Nov 27, 2023
Zeeland
Tuesday, Nov 28 2023
Holland
Friday, Dec 1, 2023
Coopersville & Greenville
Saturday, Dec 2, 2023
Cedar Springs, Ada, Grandville, Fennville, Grand Haven, Lowell, Rockford, Caledonia, White Lake
Thursday, Dec 7, 2023
Kentwood
thursDAY
Nov 16, 2023
1 Parade
Hudsonville
*NEW TIME* Hudsonville Nighttime Holiday Parade
Thurs Nov 16, 2023
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. Patty Matters will be also be serving burgers from their food truck.
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 – New Date, Time, and Route!
Hudsonville is turning things up a notch this year with their first-ever nighttime parade through downtown.
Starting at 6:30 PM, this revamped parade ( date, time, and route) promises a magical experience under the shimmering holiday lights.
Organized by the Hudsonville Area Chamber of Commerce and Hudsonville Family Dentistry.
FriDAY
Nov 17, 2023
1 Parade
Sparta
Light Up Sparta Parade & Fireworks!
Fri Nov 17, 2023 – 5 PM – 8 PM
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
SaturDAY
Nov 18, 2023
1 Parade
Grand Rapids
Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Claus Parade
Sat Nov 18, 2023 – 10 AM
After news of its cancellation saddened the community, Gentex, Meijer, Experience Grand Rapids, AHC Hospitality and WOOD TV8 were among several sponsors to come to the rescue and bring it back.
The beloved Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Claus Parade begins on Lyon & Monroe.
The parade will head down Monroe to Monroe Center, continue to Division Avenue and then east on Fulton Street to Jefferson Street.
It will end at First United Methodist Church.
It ends with a party in the church parking lot where Santa will also make an appearance. 
Monday
Nov 27, 2023
1 Parade
Zeeland
Zeeland’s Magical Christmas Parade
Mon Nov 27, 2023
6:30pm
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
Nov 28, 2023
1 Parade
Holland
Holland Christmas Parade of Lights
Tue, Nov 28, 2023
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, November 28 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.
*Look into the Magic at the Mill light show.
Friday
dec 1, 2023
2 Parades
Greenville
Greenville Christmas Parade
Fri Dec 1, 2023
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Greenville Downtown Historic District, Greenville, MI 48838
Head to downtown Greenville, to Tivoli Square, 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)
7:45p Christmas Tree lighting at Tivoli Square
Coopersville
Coopersville Christmas Parade
Fri Dec 1, 2023
6:00 PM
Downtown Coopersville, Main St, Coopersville, MI 49404
Coopersville’s favorite winter event is almost here! This year marks the 43rd Annual Christmas Parade. This year’s theme is “Parade of Lights”. We want to light up the sky around Coopersville!
Start the evening at Pocket Park as the Community Christmas Tree is lit up to kick off the Holiday Season before the parade heads through town.
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!
Saturday
Dec 2, 2023
8 Parades
Cedar Springs
Cedar Springs Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting & Kris Kringle Mingle
Sat Dec 2, 2023
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.
Fennville
Holiday Magic in Downtown Fennville
Sat Dec 2, 2023
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Downtown Fennville, Fennville, MI 49408
Spend all day celebrating Christmas in Fennville.
Visit Holiday Magic locations throughout downtown Fennville to experience:
– 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.
Rockford
Rockford Santa Parade
Sat Dec 2, 2023
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Downtown Rockford, 25 Squires Street Square NE, Rockford, MI 49341
Join us at the 79th 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. 
The Quiet Zone will finish the parade from Tamarack Run to Lewis Street on Monroe.
Santa will be in the Rotary Pavilion following the parade to visit with children until 2 PM.
Ada
Ada Christmas Parade
Sat Dec 2, 2023
11 AM
Downtown Ada, Michigan
Ada Firefighters are again welcoming Santa to town on Saturday, December 2.
The parade kicks off at 11 AM with lineup along River Street starting at 10 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.
White Lake
White Lake Area Christmas Parade
Sat Dec 2, 2023
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 2nd 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 2, 2023
4:00 pm
Downtown Caledonia, Caledonia, MI 49316
The Event starts at 4 PM on Main St. of Caledonia on Saturday, December 2.
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 his first of two appearances from 4 – 5:30 PM.
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 2, 2023
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 3 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 5-8:30 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 8:30 pm. The Rudolph train ride and synthetic ice rink will run until 9:00 PM. Food vendors will set their own prices.
Grand Haven
Grand Haven Jingle Bell Parade & Central Park Tree Lighting
Sat Dec 2, 2023
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Downtown Grand Haven, Grand Haven, MI
Join us for the Annual Jingle Bell Parade on December 2, 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 2, 2023
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 2 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.
thursday
Dec 7, 2023
1 Parade
Kentwood
Kentwood Tree Lighting & Holiday Light Parade
Thu Dec 7, 2023
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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.
