Jingle All The Way And Keep The Jangle In Your Pocket
Grand Rapids is never at a loss for epic Christmas events.
And the best part is many of these are free Christmas events and activities throughout West Michigan.
You can always catch a great holiday parade, find Christmas lights, attend a tree lighting, or even visit Santa for free in many places around town. Add on one-of-a-kind events, Christmas markets and more and you’ve got a big list of options.
Low Cost or Free Christmas Events & Activities
Use this list to find affordable holiday and free Christmas events that are happening around Grand Rapids and West Michigan.
Head to a Holiday Celebration
Holiday and Christmas celebrations are popping up all over West Michigan this year.
Parooz will have characters, hot chocolate, food trucks and outdoor activities on Sunday, December 10 from 1 PM – 3 PM.
The Georgetown Township Library will have Santa, reindeer, stories, crafts and more on Saturday, December 16 from 10 AM – 12 PM.
Join the city of Caledonia for a night of games, crafts, singing Christmas songs, hot cocoa and petting zoo fun.
Horrocks Holiday Jamboree is Friday, December 8, from 4 – 8 PM in Kentwood, MI. Features include a winter petting zoo with reindeer, complimentary hot chocolate and ice cream, live holiday music, a kids’ area for letters to Santa, and a photo opportunity in a holiday sleigh. Food and special holiday drinks are available for purchase. Santa won’t be present, but his elves will collect letters.
Visit the Winter Wonderland in Ada Village
Ada’s annual window competition invites you to vote on your favorite. Then, take a walk through Legacy Park and visit the 30+ decorated trees. Winter Wonderland runs through the end of 2023.
Catch a Free Movie
Kent Theatre, 8 N Main St NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319
The Kent Theatre is playing Elf on December 15 – 17 and a double feature of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Polar Express on December 21 – 23.
Gerald R Ford Express Train Village
Celebrate the holiday season with a train display that includes many nods to Gerald R. Ford’s life in Grand Rapids, including South High School, Bill’s Place Diner, the Quonset Hut used in his congressional campaign, and a replica of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
Visiting the train is free, but tickets are needed to visit the galleries. November 22, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Luminary Hike in Lowell
Wittenbach Wege Center – Lowell Area Schools, 11715 Vergennes SE, Lowell, MI 49331
Dec 8-9-10, go on a Luminary Hike at nature center in Lowell. Sign up for a time window to arrive and walk the 1-mile trail. There’s an option to extend the walk with a 1/2+ mile loop through the Wege Natural Area Preserve. No dogs for this event please.
*December 9 is family night with bonus activities.
Big List of Free Christmas Events in Greater Grand Rapids
*Looking for more? All of the events listed below are found in our MASTER CALENDAR.
