Each year, Santa seems to start visiting towns earlier and earlier, but this time I’m happy about it. If you are too, and want to start harnessing the Christmas spirit, attend a celebration. Your own community may be hosting a sing-along, tree or street lighting, or a parade, but if not, these are some of the best in the state. Don’t forget to pop into small shops and enjoy a bite in a local eatery while you’re nearby. Every dollar we spend in our state really counts.
November 21 Silver Bells in the City in Lansing
Lansing locals love it, yet this is almost a party for the whole state with the Capitol as a backdrop. Silver Bells in the City is an ideal family event to kick off the holiday season. Enjoy the Electric Light Parade, which steps off at 6:00pm at the corner of Lenawee Street and South Washington Square. Then feel some holiday spirit and state pride swell, with the lighting of the Christmas tree. Get your carol on at the Community Sing, featuring Acclaimed indie-pop singer/songwriter Zach Seabaugh. That’s not all. The evening’s big finale is a Firefly drone light show, followed by a stunning fireworks display over the Capitol (weather permitting). You’ll also be able to shop a holiday market with local vendors and pop into a nearby eatery or pub to soak up the energy on this electrifying evening in the capital. For those who can’t be there in person, the event is going to be broadcast LIVE on FOX 47 and local Comcast Channel 12 from 6-8pm.
November 21 Annual Detroit Tree Lighting at Campus Martius Park
The Motor City does take on a certain unique charm during the holiday season, and it really begins with this unforgettable night. You can enjoy spectacular live entertainment from figure skaters, skating clubs, and award-winning local performers, not to mention wonderful holiday shopping. Highlights this year include musical performances by Natale Jane and Breland. Olympic skating sensation Polina Edmunds will hit the ice, as will Emmanuel Savary and Kalamazoo’s own Khloe Felton. Special guests from the traveling company of Phanthom of the Opera will even make an appearance. All the festivities will center around a Michigan-grown Norway spruce decked with ornaments and illuminated by thousands of shimmering LED multi-colored lights. Santa and some friends will turn on its lights at 7pm. If you can’t make it to the event itself, tune into WDIV Channel 4 Detroit for live coverage.
November 21 Holidays in the Heart of the City in Saginaw
When was the last time you explored Saginaw? This is a magical time to do it, with seasonal revelry and access to some of the city’s gems. From 5:30pm-8:30pm, visitors can enjoy open houses at many venues including the Children’s Zoo, Andersen Enrichment Center, Japanese Tea House, The Montague Inn and the Mexican American Council. Plus, there are free Christmas concerts and pony rides. Spark some old-fashioned holiday joy with a horse-drawn wagon ride on Ezra Rust Drive. You’ll also find scrumptious food, Christmas concerts, and other holiday delights.
November 24 Lagniappe in Rochester
Mondays can be so dreary, but not with an event like this to brighten our evening. Traditionally, a lagniappe is some kind of small gift given to a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase. However, if you head to Downtown Rochester on November 24, it’s much more than that. Merchants will be offering customers tokens of appreciation for their support throughout the year. Elves have been covering the buildings downtown with over 1.5 million lights that have yet to shimmer. The annual Big, Bright Light Show debuts on this glorious night. The program will kick off at 6:00pm on the stage, located on the crosswalk of W. 4th Street & Main. Join the Mayor, Dave LewAllen, and the jolliest fellow in red, for some seasonal joy. The lights will officially glow at 7:00pm, followed by fireworks. Kids can share their Christmas lists with Santa from 7:15-9:00pm, so have your camera ready. WXYZ Channel 7 Detroit will be broadcasting live at 7pm with host Glenda Lewis.
November 28 Holiday in the Park in South Haven
This magical evening is filled with twinkling lights, ice skating, festive activities, and plenty of holiday cheer. Don’t miss the luminaries along Phoenix Street, and the holiday lights downtown. Enjoy music, roasted chestnuts, s’mores by the fire, and photos with Santa under a canopy of sparkling lights. Shop the Mistletoe Market, and soak in the spirit that makes South Haven shine all season long. Enjoy it all amidst brisk shoreline weather and a soundtrack of holiday tunes.
November 29 Aglow on the Avenue Parade in Ludington
How about a little holiday fun in what is typically a summer beach destination? This is a favorite event of the Christmas holiday on the lakeshore. First, take advantage of Small Business Saturday, and shop with local merchants. Then, the parade kicks off at 6pm, with lighted entries ensuring that Downtown Ludington streets are aglow with holiday cheer and excitement to usher in the season. Don’t miss the tree lighting in Legacy Square.
November 29 Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Harbor Springs
For well over a century, townsfolk have been gathering together in Harbor Springs for the lighting of a community Christmas tree. Over the years, the celebration has definitely grown, and you are invited to join them. Be sure to shop, drink and dine your way through town leaving some dollars behind with local businesses. At 6pm gather with friends, neighbors and strangers, to sing carols and enjoy the lighting of the tree on Main Street. Winners of the window decorating contest will also be celebrated. The public is then invited to attend an ecumenical chili dinner in the Holy Childhood Parish Hall at 150 W Main Street, just adjacent to the tree. There, you can also meet Santa, and enjoy homemade cookies and hot cocoa. For those who can’t attend on the 25th, there is a mailbox to Santa located right outside the Lyric Theatre. Children are welcome to write their letters to Santa and drop them off anytime during the month of December.
December 5 Tree Lighting on Mackinac Island
If you crave a little bit of Dr. Suess’ Whoville, it’s hard to imagine a more magical destination to find it than on Mackinac Island. Yes, Virginia, you can still go to Mackinac in the winter. The annual Christmas Tree Lighting downtown on Main Street ushers in the winter season on the island. Gather with those hardy locals at 5pm across from the Arnold Transit Company Dock, for caroling and good cheer. Weather permitting, you can access the island by ferry, or you can take a flight on and off. If you can’t expeeience the magic in person, it will be live streamed on Facebook.
December 2 Parade of Lights with Sinterklaas in Holland
Of course, if an event is taking place in Holland, you can expect it to have a fun Dutch twist. This special celebration features Sinterklaas, the benevolent Dutch St. Nicholas, who will welcome families downtown to celebrate this holiday tradition. Guests will also be able to see skiers in Dutch costumes, the Community Police Team, and even Sinterklaas’ beautiful white horse, Ozosnel. While in town, pop over to Windmill Island for a musically synched light show featuring 1,000 LED tulip blossoms. If you miss the parade, there are lots of other fun events happening in Holland throughout the season.
December 5 Winter Snow Fun Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting in Marquette
This summer destination takes on a totally different look and feel as winter descends. Usher in the holiday season along the shores of Lake Superior. Bundle up with friends and family as illuminated floats, tinsel-strewn trucks and colorful carolers transform Third Street into an enchanted scene from the North Pole. The Marquette Post Office will also be collecting Santa letters during the holiday parade, so bring the little ones and bring their letters to make sure the big guy receives their Christmas wishes. The parade will travel South down Third Street towards the Marquette Commons where the tree lighting ceremony will begin at 7pm.
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