Name: Grand Rapids Kids
Address: Grand Rapids, MI

Fun Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend in West MI

If you’re looking for something fun to do (besides eating, of course) for the 2023 Thanksgiving weekend around greater Grand Rapids, it’s a great time to kick off your family’s Christmas activities.

Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend 2023 – 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. Church’s Tree Farm – 182 W 136th Street, Grant, MI 49327 – opens Friday, Nov 24, 2023

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.

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.

Festival of Trees at Muskegon Museum of Art
Fri, Sat, Sun: Their nostalgic vintage holiday collections includes iconic Christmas cards and ornaments to a large collection of nutcrackers and glowing blow molds. Det a ils.

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 New Christkindl Markt at Downtown Market is open this weekend. Stop by to shop the 30+ outdoor vendor booths and be dazzled by 15,000 lights and half a mile of garland.

Holland’s Kerstmarkt 2023 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 Street, Holland, MI 49423

Christmas at Countryside 2023 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 200+ 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 $5 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) welcomes you to its Santa Cabin on Thanksgiving weekend. For $10/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!

Thanksgiving Play Days at GRCM – Get your wiggles out Wed-Sat from 9am-4pm and 12pm-4pm on Sunday.

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!

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Grand Rapids Civic Theater, 30 Division Ave N, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
November 17 – December 17, 2023 The Tony Award-winning musical tells the tale of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. Can the Beast learn to love and be loved in return before time runs out?

That Sounds Fun!

Pottery Painting, Potter’s Wheel & Wood Signs at The Mud Room 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 starting November 24, 2023. Reserve your skating session online or just show up. Ice skate rentals are included with admission and are $4 for adults and $2 for kids.

TBD for 2023- See the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Express in Action (the old “Breton Village” Train)
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum – 303 Pearl Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Watch the beloved model trains chug along the tracks inside of the Gerald R Ford Museum. The display includes places of significance to Gerald R. Ford such as South High School, Bill’s Place Diner and a replica of the Ford Museum. Museum admission includes the train.