Meijer Gardens Christmas Trees & Events Make the Season Bright
November 26, 2024 – January 5, 2025
This holiday season, treat yourself to all the festivities a Frederik Meijer Gardens Christmas can bring.
In its 30th year, the event celebrates the holidays from different cultures around the world with over 40 different displays that bring in fact and folklore, both past and present. You are invited to soak up the holiday spirit with fresh poinsettias, evergreens, amaryllis and 350,000 sparkling lights.
While you’re at it, enjoy a carol or two, marvel at the dazzling light show, cross gifts off your list, and rediscover childhood wonder by petting reindeer, following the miniature trains, and visiting Santa.
With all of this in store and more, read on to see why a Meijer Gardens Christmas visit is the perfect way to get a hearty dose of holiday cheer.
Meijer Gardens is located at 1000 East Beltline Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525.
Meijer Gardens Christmas Trees Ticket Giveaway!
Enter to win a 4-pack of tickets to Meijer Gardens. Tickets are good for anything included with general admission. The new Enlighten show is not included.
FINE PRINT: This giveaway will close on November 26, 2024, at 11PM EST and the winner will be notified via email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond by email accepting the prize. No purchase necessary to enter the contest. These tickets expire on September 30, 2025. Admission to ENLIGHTEN is not included. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You are providing your information to grkids.com and not to Facebook. Entrants will release Facebook from all liability. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age and reside in Michigan. Only one entry per household or IP address. GRKIDS’ liability is limited to the value of the prize.
THE ANNUAL MEIJER GARDENS CHRISTMAS TREES EXHIBIT RETURNS
Every year, just before Thanksgiving, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Parks kicks off the holiday season with their University of Michigan Health-West Christmas & Holiday Traditions Exhibit.
10 Exciting Things to Do at Meijer Gardens for the Holidays
Making a trek to see the Meijer Gardens Christmas trees and see Santa is a favorite family tradition for many – and for good reason.
Be sure to include the festive happenings listed below on your visit, too. As an added bonus, most of these events are free with general admission.
1) Enjoy 40+ Christmas Trees and Holiday Displays From Around the World
Available during open hours
Be amazed by the exquisitely decorated trees and displays throughout the building. Each tree is decorated to depict a different sort of holiday fact or folklore.
While the event is a lovely festival of trees, there are 46 international holiday displays showcasing different holiday traditions. Tour the different international holiday traditions on your visit, including Hanukkah, Diwali and more.
2) Follow the Railway Garden Train
Available During Open Hours
Head to the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse for a charming miniature train display.
Find yourself surrounded with festive decor as you watch the trains weave through handmade recreations of West Michigan landmarks. Look closely and you may also spot some iconic landmarks of West Michigan sister cities.
3) Attend the ENLIGHTEN Light Show
Not included with general admission
November 27, 2024 – January 4, 2025
Dates vary, typically Wednesday – Sunday: 5:30 – 10 PM
The light show event at Meijer Gardens has moved to plaza surrounding The American Horse. But they have an all new show. Get ready to be dazzled by Enlighten, in 2024.
On select evenings from November 27, 2024, to January 4, 2025, Meijer Gardens morphs into ENLIGHTEN.
Purchase timed entry tickets here. Once you arrive at your timed entry, you are welcome to move through it at your own pace. It is recommended to allow 1.5 – 2 hours to complete the Enlighten experience.
Starting Ticket rates:
Adults (ages 14 – 64) $28
Senior (65 +) $21
Student (with ID) $21
Child (ages 3 – 13) $14
Child (0 – 2) FREE
* rates vary by day and time and includes general admission
Beloved outdoor Meijer Garden Statues like the “The American Horse” are getting a glow-up that will make you see them in a whole new… well, light
Multiple on-site food locations will be open, serving up warm and cold drinks along with seasonal food offerings
Illuminated paths take you on a mile-long adventure through the gardens and twinkling lights
4) Listen to Music from Around the World
Tuesdays, Nov 26, 2024 – Dec 17, 2024: 6 PM – 8 PM
Pause to listen to cultural music from around the world.
World Beat & Cultural Performances returns to Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory on select Tuesdays to share spirited sounds from around the globe.
5) Tell Santa What’s on Your List
Tuesdays, Nov 26 – Dec. 17, 2024: 5 PM – 8 PM
It’s hard to beat the Santa photo op at FMG.
Take a picture of the kids with Santa in an illuminated Mimi’s Garden, found on the Courtyard Level of the Welcome Center.
psst – Telling Santa what’s on your list is a popular activity, so be sure to arrive early if you’d like a shorter wait.
6) Hum Along to Festive Old-Fashioned Caroling
Saturdays: Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 14, Dec 21, 2024: 1 PM – 4 PM
On select December Saturday afternoons, pause to listen to a familiar carol sung by the Original Dickens Carolers and you’ll feel like you’ve been swept back in time.
This festive group roams the halls singing holiday favorites and bringing good cheer for all to hear. You’ll find their harmonies filling the BISSELL and Gunberg corridors on Saturday afternoons.
7) Learn About Different Holiday Traditions
Sundays, Dec 1 – 15, 2024: 2 PM – 3 PM
On select December Sunday afternoons, your family has the opportunity to learn about the holiday traditions in different cultures.
Each week is a different country.
Presentations will be on Ghanaian, Mexican and Ukrainian holiday traditions.
8) See the Reindeer
Saturdays: Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 14, Dec 21, 2024: 1 PM – 4 PM
On Saturday afternoons, reindeer visit Frederik Meijer Gardens.
Head out to Michigan’s Farm Garden for a close-up reindeer experience. You will definitely be able to take pictures of the reindeer – and you might be able to pet them, too.
9) Linger in the Tropical Conservatory
Available during open hours
We love feeling like we’re in the tropics in the middle of December!
With its delightfully balmy climate and exotic plants, the Tropical Conservatory will have you feeling like you’re on vacation the moment you step through the doors.
As you follow the path along the light-adorned palm trees, you might even find yourself humming Mele Kalikimaka along the way.
10) Head Outside to Walk or Play, Especially at Night
Available during open hours
The outdoor Gardens & Sculpture Park is decorated with close to 350,000 lights and is a delight to see after nightfall.
Be sure to bring warm clothes if you plan to venture outdoors.
Also, the walking paths and Children’s Garden are open for those who would like to visit and play outdoors during daylight hours.
11) Watch an Original Film – “Joy”
In many cultures, the holidays bring people together in distinct and memorable ways difficult to capture in a display.
Meijer Gardens again presents the original film joy, which explores the diverse festive fabric that is holiday life across our local communities.
This film will be shown continuously in the Hoffman Family Auditorium and is also available on the Meijer Gardens YouTube channel.
12) Find Unique Treasures at the Gift Shop
Available during open hours
The Meijer Gardens Gift Shop deserves a place on your holiday shopping list.
They do a wonderful job of offering seasonal merchandise from local vendors, as well as stocking interesting gifts you won’t find in many other places.
Find thoughtful toys, books and stuffed animals for the kids on your Christmas list, and candles, local artwork, jewelry and home decor for the adults.
If You Go
ADMISSION RATES
Adults (14-64) – $20
Seniors (65 and older) & Students with ID – $15
Museums for All – $2
Children (3-13) – $10
Children (2 and younger) – FREE
Members (with ID) – FREE
Library Patrons can get in free – see the next section
All admission tickets are purchased at the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Ticketing Center in the Welcome Center. Unless otherwise noted, prices include admission to all special exhibitions.
Other tickets (such as Fifth Third Bank Summer Concert at Meijer Gardens, classes, camps, etc.) may be purchased through their Events Calendar page.
HOURS
Regular Hours:
Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM – 9 PM
Other Days: 9 AM – 5 PM
Get into Meijer Gardens Free with Your Library Card
Kent District Library
KDL patrons (ages 18 and above) can use their library card “Perk Pass” to reserve up to 6 free passes for Frederik Meijer Gardens.
Cardholders can reserve passes online, print their passes, and visit their attraction on the date they reserved. For Meijer Gardens, library cardholders may reserve 1 pass per calendar year.
Grand Rapids Public Library
GRPL Cardholders can access free tickets via their Perk Pass program. The pass entitles up to 6 people to visit the organization 1 time for free. You must check out a pass or ticket in person at any of the eight Grand Rapids Public Library locations. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Wrapping It Up
While Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a treasure any day of the year, it really shines at Christmastime.
What’s your favorite part of Christmas & Holiday Traditions at Meijer Gardens?
So many fun things – my family would love it!
In the past you have had a very fun display of crafts, plants , jewelry, children’s games,etc. around the first or second Saturday in November. Are you still doing that this year and if so, when would it be?