GLAMom’s Guide to Holiday FUN! | Greater Lansing Area Moms

 

Bundle up, grab your hot chocolate and jump into the Holiday spirit! GLAMoms have curated a list of well known local holiday events and some fun road trips too. 

The holidays kick off on November 19th with a Greater Lansing tradition of Silver Bells in the City. Looking for a smaller town event? Many towns have their own light parades the first weekend in December. There is something for everyone- musicals, holiday markets, drive-thru light displays, train rides and more!

Take a look below and plan out your holiday season! Be sure to check before your go, many require tickets to be purchased ahead. And cheers to all the wonder and sparkle that the holidays bring♥ 

A big thank you to our sponsor, Red Cedar Auto Sales located in Williamston. A local business that treats you like family!

Silver Bells in the City, a Lansing Tradition!
Downtown Lansing
Friday, November 19th
5:30-8:30pm
The 37th annual Silver Bells in the City returns to usher in the holiday season with the Electric Light Parade, lighting of the state of Michigan Christmas tree, Community Sing and a holiday drone light show!

 

Wonderland of Lights
Potter Park Zoo
November 20 thru December 26th
Every Thursday-Sunday
5-8pm
Thousands of lights create an extraordinary holiday display at the 27th annual Wonderland of Lights! Take a stroll around the zoo, enjoy holiday music, and marvel at the twinkling light displays during this series of magical Michigan winter evenings. Grab a goodie bag for children as you leave to take home and enjoy. Get your tickets HERE.

Christmas at Peacock Family Tree Farm
Begins November 20th
A truly magical experience! Ride the Peacock Express train to visit with Santa, visit the Sugar Shack and Christmas Shoppe! Tickets required, purchase HERE.

The Nutcracker presented by Children’s Ballet Theatre
Grand Ledge High School
November 26, 7:00 pm
November 27 & 28, 1:00 pm
One of Lansing’s favorite holiday traditions is back to the stage this year! The Children’s Ballet Theatre is excited to bring you the classic ballet tale of “The Nutcracker” over Thanksgiving Weekend. Purchase tickets HERE

20th Annual Lighted Parade & Mason Holiday Celebration
Downtown Mason
Friday, November 26th
6pm
The parade with it’s lights all aglow will arrive downtown shortly after the tree lighting!

Charlotte Lighted Holiday Parade
Charlotte
Saturday, November 27th
6-7pm

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Wharton Center, East Lansing
Wednesday, December 1st 
7:30-9:30pm
Experience the music that has become the hallmark of the holidays and a tradition for multi-generational families: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas live in concert.

Night Lights Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
Bridge Street Plaza, Grand Ledge
Friday, December 3rd
5 – 9pm
The Annual Night Lights Christmas Parade is a spectacular night time parade packed full of lots of lights and music! Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their appearance at the end of the parade, trading in their red sleigh for a fire truck!

Downtown DeWitt Christmas Market, Light Parade and Tree Lighting
Downtown DeWitt
Saturday December 4th 2-5pm
Kids activities, craft tent, carriage rides, meet Santa,food tent, s’mores, and the Festival of Trees (at the DeWitt Area Chamber of Commerce),  the Light Parade 5:30 pm, tree lighting and fireworks at 6 pm.

Downtown St. Johns Holiday Market
Downtown St. Johns
Saturday December 4th
12-5pm
Outdoor Holiday Market, pictures with Santa, games, face painting, cookie decorating, food trucks and more!

24th Annual Holiday Light Parade
Downtown Williamston
Saturday, December 4th
6pm 

Hometown Family Christmas
Main Street, Eaton Rapids
Saturday, December 4th
6-9pm
A lighted parade, Hamlin Square tree lighting, and pictures with Mr. & Mrs. Claus! A  night of joyful celebration as we enter the Christmas season! All are welcome!

Wild Holidays with Santa
Howell Nature Center
Saturday, December 4th and Sunday December 5th
1-3p, 3-5p
See the Wild Wonders Wildlife Park like never before! Stop by the hot cocoa bar before heading out to explore a magical winter wonderland full of festive decorations, visiting all your animal friends and learning about their amazing winter adaptations. Then, head to the NatureScape to drop off letters to Santa- he will greet each child from high in his Christmas Treehouse Workshop and then deliver a special gift to every child. Pre Registration required HERE

Winter Arts and Craft Show
MSU Union
Saturday, December 4th 9a-5p
Sunday, December 5th, 10a-4p
58th Annual Arts and Crafts Show, Our Winter Arts and Craft show is one of the largest in Michigan, with over 130 crafters. Masks must be worn while inside.

Winter Glow
Downtown East Lansing
Saturday, December 4th
2-5pm
Live music, an outdoor holiday farmers market, ice carving, winter photo scenes, children’s activities hosted by ELPL.

Holiday Market Extravaganza
Meridian Mall
Saturday December 4th
11a-8pm
A day full of holiday shopping with 30 local vendors, giveaways, pictures with Santa, holiday music, and more.

Meet the Grinch and Cindy Lou
Sun Theater, Williamston
Sunday, December 5th 12:30-1:30
Movie begins at 1:30
Come to  the Sun Theater this Sunday, December 5th for a movie How The Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey! Word on the street is that the Grinch and Cindy Lou will make an appearance! All photos are free! Please bring your own camera and a small gift or donation for The Grinch to steal. All gifts/donations will be distributed to kids at Sparrow Hospital on Christmas Day. Don’t let Christmas be stolen this year by helping to spread a little more Christmas cheer. Tickets are $2 each for the movie.

 

Santa at the State Tree
Friday December 10th from 6-7:30pm
Santa’s sleigh is headed this way and you have two opportunities to see him in downtown Lansing., have your picture taken in front of the State tree with Santa and Nana Claus. Pictures are available on a first come, first served basis. The line will form on Capital Ave. next to the tree heading north.

Winter Towns Holiday Fest
Saturday, December 11th, 11a-3pm
Don’t miss Santa and Nana Claus at MichiganPremier Event’s Winter Towns Holiday Fest! Santa will be reading a Christmas story at A Novel Concept located inside Middle Village starting at 3pm. They’ll continue strolling through downtown shops and eateries to pose for pictures and take your letters back to the North Pole, spreading holiday cheer from 3:30-5:00 p.m.. #LiftUpLocal this holiday season and spend the day in downtown Lansing!

Holiday Pops
Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Wharton Center
Sunday, December 19th, 3pm
Feel the joy of the Holiday Season with your favorite holiday tunes and traditional carols. 

Road Trip for Holiday Fun? GLAMom’s have you covered!

Magic of Christmas Lights
DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston
November 19th-January 1st
Sunday-Thursday 5:30-10p
Friday-Saturday 5:30-11p
Magic of Lights™ – A festival of twinkling, magical holiday lights! A 200-foot light tunnel and over 40 Scenes of holiday lights displays will be featured during Magic of Lights™, the unique and thrilling family-friendly drive-through holiday lights festival spread over a 1-2 Mile course. Magic of Lights™ is a wonderful family outing and easy to attend. Purchase tickets HERE 

 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer:The Musical
Midland Center for the Arts
Friday, November 19th, 7 PM
Saturday, November 20th, 12 PM & 4 PM
​​Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer soars onto the stage with all of your favorite characters from the TV Special, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL. Purchase tickets HERE

 

Glenlore Trails Aurora
Commerce, MI
Starts November 26th
Every Thursday-Sunday
An amazing one mile outdoor interactive path with a light show for all ages!
Purchase tickets HERE

Nite Lights at Michigan International Speedway
Brooklyn, MI
November 25th-December 31st
Nite Lites is a drive-thru light display spanning 5-miles across MIS property. Michigan’s largest Christmas light display! Cash and credit cards accepted.

Merry Mile at Calhoun Fairgrounds
Marshall, MI
Wednesday-Sunday in December
5:30-9:30
$10 car load, purchase at fairgrounds

Christmas Farmers Market & Santa at the Mill
Portland, MI
December 11th
9a-1p
Farmers Market, pictures with Santa, Food Truck

Breakfast with the Elves
Cornwell’s Turkeyville
Saturday December 11th
9a-11a
$5 a person for a pancake breakfast and ornament to decorate! While Elves walk around and help and take pictures! A great way to get into the Christmas Spirit.

Santa at the Stables 
Heavenly Horse Stables
Pickney, MI
Saturday, December 18th
11a-3p
Annual Santa at the Stables event! free admission to come walk around and see the fun, there are fees for activities throughout the stables.

 

Thank you to our generous sponsor of the GLAM’s Guide to Holiday Fun- Red Cedar Auto Sales in Williamston. In the market for a used car? Red Cedar Auto Sales is the place! Family owned and operated for over 20 years. Home of the “One Owner” Used Car!

 

 

Know of another Holiday Event? Send us a DM or email [email protected]!

*All pictures courtesy of event websites and Facebook events.

Join The Greater Lansing Area Moms Community

Stay up-to-date with what is happening in-and-around The Greater Lansing, MI Moms community with local events, community highlights, and exclusive deals.