Fun Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend in West MI – 2026

Fun Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend in West MI

If you’re looking for something fun to do (besides eating, of course) for the 2026 Thanksgiving weekend around greater Grand Rapids, it’s a great time to kick off your family’s Christmas activities.

Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend 2026 – Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Slide these fun activities into your weekend plans where they fit best. The venues are open all weekend and are ready to serve you. (Reservations may be required.)

Festive Holiday Activities

Cut Down a Christmas Tree
Many Christmas Tree Farms open for the season this weekend, some with Santa visits, wagon rides, and other special experiences. Bosch’s Tree Farm – 10785 84th Ave, Allendale, MI  49401 – opens Saturday, Nov 21, 2026

Visit the Railway Garden at Meijer Gardens
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
42 unique displays depicting fact and folklore, past and present, plus model trains running through a village of Grand Rapids buildings made of natural materials. Make it extra special and be amazed at ENLIGHTEN, Meijer Gardens’ holiday light show. (Not included with general admission)

Go to the Christmas Lite Show
4500 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321 – The Christmas Lite Show is the largest, animated drive-through light show in West Michigan. From the comfort of your car, experience nearly two miles of Christmas magic including animated displays, lighted tunnels, and over 1 million lights.

Holiday In the Haven
Enjoy the marvelous holiday lights of downtown South Haven, meet Santa & Mrs. Claus and live reindeer, savor sweet treats, and embrace the holiday spirit. Friday, 5 – 7 PM. Details.

More Drive-Through Christmas Lights
Take a road trip to one of the many Michigan Drive Through Christmas Light Shows or the Walk Through Christmas Light Shows.

Holiday Markets

GR’s Christkindl Markt at Downtown Market is open this weekend – and it’s bigger than ever. Stop by to shop the 60+ outdoor vendor booths and be dazzled by 15,000 lights and half a mile of garland.

Holland’s Kerstmarkt 2026 will be in full swing on Friday and Saturday, giving you the perfect opportunity to experience an outdoor European-style market. It’s stocked with holiday items, delicious food, and artisan demonstrations.
Holland Kerstmarkt – 8th Street Market Place, 150 W 8th St, Holland, MI 49423

Christmas at Countryside 2026 Farmgirl Flea Market
Countryside Greenhouse, 9050 Lake Michigan Dr, Allendale, MI 49401 – Friday and Saturday
Find amazing vintage & handmade goods at this amazing Holiday 2-day event. Shop from 250+ vendors from all across the USA! All vendors are carefully juried to bring you the best shopping experience. Christmas will surround you at this fantastic venue! Parking is free and tickets are $7 cash at the door. Kids 12 and under are free.

For the Kids

Visit Santa
Thanksgiving weekend is also a popular time to pick a place from this list and go to one of the many places to see Santa and get some pictures with Santa. Cabela’s is a Santa photo hotspot because they have a great display and will send you a free Santa picture. Just be sure to make a reservation.

Visit the Santa Cabin at Bosch’s Tree Farm (Bosch’s Tree Farm – 10785 84th Ave, Allendale, MI  49401) on Thanksgiving weekend. For $12/person, you can ride a horse/tractor-drawn wagon out into the woods, warmed by hot chocolate, to their log Santa cabin. At the cabin, visit Santa and toast s’mores over the cabin campfire.

Ride a Christmas Train – Coopersville & Marne Railway, 306 Main St, Coopersville, MI 49404
Elves escort the children to sit with Santa on this 90-minute Christmas Train ride. Every child passenger gets a present, even the shy ones!

On Stage

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center, 2211 Lake Dr SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506 – This original ballet, based on Clement C. Moore’s familiar poem and set to traditional holiday music, has become a Thanksgiving Weekend tradition in Grand Rapids. Mischievous mice, dancing stockings, magical toys and Santa with his prancing reindeer combine to create a wonderful hour of family entertainment. Even the youngest members of your family will enjoy this show! The audience is welcome to join Santa and the cast on stage after the performance so don’t forget your camera!

Annie
Grand Rapids Civic Theater, 30 Division Ave N, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
November 20 – December 20, 2026 – With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan.

Just in the Nick of Time
Holland Community Theatre, 50 W 9th St, Holland, MI 49423
November 27 – December 12, 2026 – Christmas is just around the corner, but the North Pole is in trouble—Santa is missing, the elves are losing their holiday spirit, and the world is turning shades of gray. With time running out, detective Red Mistletoe must crack the case, expose the culprits, and restore Christmas magic before the big day arrives 

That Sounds Fun!

Pottery Painting, Potter’s Wheel & Wood Signs at The Mud Room, 1971 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. Today is a great day to unleash your creativity and paint a gift at The Mud Room. All supplies are included, but bring your imagination

Go Ice Skating – 135 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids MI 49503
Weather-permitting, Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink is back in action. (November 21, 2026) Reserve your skating session online or just show up. Ice skate rentals are included with admission and are $6 for adults and $3 for kids.

Visit Blandford – 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
These fall days are perfect to get out in nature and reset your heart & mind before the busy holiday season. Explore 264 acres of forests, meadows, and wetlands, eight miles of trails including one mile of ADA accessible trail, two outdoor playscapes, the Blandford Farm and Children’s Garden, and the Wildlife Education Center with over 30 rehabilitated Wildlife Ambassadors.

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Full Events List

Looking for more Thanksgiving Weekend things to do? Our calendar has the full list of events.