🆓Budget-Friendly! Free Christmas Events & Fun around Grand Rapids for December 2023

Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum Ford Exress Train Exhibit (1)

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.

276 E. Kenwood Rd Twin Lake christmas light display
Walk Through Christmas lights at 276 E. Kenwood Rd, Twin Lake, MI 49457

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.

Horrock Holiday Jamboree

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.

Festival of Trees in Ada

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.

luminary-hike-wege-center-lowell
Luminary Hike in Lowell

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.

lighted truck at Zeeland Magical Christmas Parade is one of the free Christmas Events around West Michigan.
Zeeland Magical Christmas Parade

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