Enjoy the festive season in East Lansing with our ultimate holiday guide. For both East Lansing locals and travelers, this guide reveals the city's festive delights.
This holiday season, the Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony offers a stunning display of lights and spectacular performances, creating a magical atmosphere for all. Additionally, the Silver Bells in the City features an enchanting parade and a dazzling array of holiday displays. And the Motor City Comic Con is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing unique vendors and entertainment for fans of all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around East Lansing
- Silver Bells in the City (Lansing)
- Motor City Comic Con (Detroit)
- Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony (Detroit)
- Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival (Grand Rapids)
- Sneakerball 2024 (Lansing)
- Birmingham Winter Markt (Birmingham)
- St. Joseph Luminary Festival (St. Joseph)
- Wonderland of Lights (Lansing)
- Christmas at Peacock Family Tree Farm (Lansing)
- The Nutcracker (Grand Ledge)
See these and even more events listed below!
East Lansing Holiday Light Displays
Silver Bells in the City
What to Expect:
Spectacular light displays and community events.
Description:
Silver Bells in the City is a beloved Lansing tradition featuring millions of lights, an Electric Light Parade, and festive activities for all ages.
Where: Lansing | More Info: Silver Bells in the City
Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Live entertainment and lighting attractions in a historic public square.
Description:
The Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony is a cherished tradition at award-winning Campus Martius Park, featuring spectacular live entertainment, Olympic figure skaters, and award-winning local performers. The event includes amazing lighting attractions, holiday shopping, hot chocolate giveaways, food trucks, and visits from Santa.
Where: Detroit | More Info: Detroit Tree Lighting Ceremony
St. Joseph Luminary Festival
What to Expect:
Luminarias illuminate downtown streets for a festive holiday stroll.
Description:
Stroll through downtown St. Joseph as luminarias light your way, inviting you to shop, eat, and drink in this charming lakeside town.
Where: St. Joseph | More Info: St. Joseph Luminary Festival
Wonderland of Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Potter Park Zoo's 31st annual Wonderland of Lights features thousands of glistening lights transforming the zoo into a holiday paradise. Take a leisurely stroll through festively illuminated pathways, surrounded by the warm glow of twinkling lights and soothing holiday music. This event offers a chance to create unforgettable family memories amidst breathtaking light displays.
Where: Lansing | More Info: Wonderland of Lights
Mason Holiday Celebration
What to Expect:
Illuminated floats and tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
The Mason Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the 23rd Annual Mason Holidays Celebration, featuring a tree lighting ceremony and a holiday parade with illuminated floats, arriving downtown shortly after the tree lighting. The event is sponsored by BE DETERMINED and supported by the City of Mason and Ingham County.
Where: Mason | More Info: Mason Holiday Celebration
Charlotte Lighted Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Colorful floats and tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
The Charlotte Lighted Holiday Parade is a vibrant community event featuring beautifully lit floats and a festive atmosphere, celebrating the holiday season in downtown Charlotte.
Where: Charlotte | More Info: Charlotte Lighted Holiday Parade
Night Lights Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Santa's appearance on a fire truck.
Description:
The Night Lights Christmas Parade is a spectacular nighttime event featuring a parade of lights and music, starting at the Grand Ledge Fire Department and proceeding down Bridge Street. Santa makes his appearance at the end of the parade, trading his red sleigh for a red fire truck. The event includes activities like popcorn, Xfinity Stacks BBQ, and a Santa Mailbox in the Plaza.
Where: Grand Ledge | More Info: Night Lights Christmas Parade
Santa at the State Tree
What to Expect:
Iconic Santa arrival amidst state tree lighting.
Description:
Santa at the State Tree is a cherished tradition where Santa Claus arrives amidst the lighting of Michigan's official State Christmas tree, surrounded by thousands of lights and festive atmosphere.
Where: Lansing | More Info: Santa at the State Tree
East Lansing Holiday Markets and Shopping
Birmingham Winter Markt
What to Expect:
Holiday market with European cuisine and live entertainment.
Description:
The Birmingham Winter Markt is an annual holiday event featuring displays from local artists and vendors, European cuisine, thousands of holiday lights, ice sculptures, live entertainment, and complimentary carriage rides. The event includes a Santa House, Kinderhaus children’s activity area, and warming stations to please visitors of all ages.
Where: Birmingham | More Info: Birmingham Winter Markt
Holiday Market Extravaganza
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with a 60-foot State Christmas tree lighting.
Description:
The Silver Bells in the City event is a grand holiday celebration in downtown Lansing, featuring millions of lights, an electric light parade, the lighting of Michigan's official State Christmas tree, a community sing-along, and a firefly drone light show.
Where: Okemos | More Info: Holiday Market Extravaganza
East Lansing Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Classic ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker is a classic ballet performance featuring Clara's journey with her magical nutcracker doll, live accompaniment by the Grand Rapids Symphony, and elaborate sets and costumes.
Where: Grand Ledge | More Info: The Nutcracker
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
What to Expect:
Dazzling multimedia effects in an intimate setting.
Description:
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas features Mannheim Steamroller classics in the distinctive Mannheim sound, with dazzling multimedia effects in an intimate setting. The program captures the spirit of the season with signature sound, lasting approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, including intermission.
Where: East Lansing | More Info: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
East Lansing Other Holiday Activities
Motor City Comic Con
What to Expect:
Celebrating pop culture with celebrity guests and interactive attractions.
Description:
Motor City Comic Con is a premier pop culture event featuring celebrity guests, comic creators, and interactive attractions. Attendees can enjoy celebrity autographs, artist alley, cosplay contests, and various panels and activities.
Where: Detroit | More Info: Motor City Comic Con
Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival
What to Expect:
World-class wine, beer, and food tasting experience.
Description:
The Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival is Michigan's premier tasting event, featuring over 1,200 wines, beers, ciders, and spirits from around the world, along with creations from the area's finest restaurants.
Where: Grand Rapids | More Info: Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival
Sneakerball 2024
What to Expect:
Celebrating community and giving back with a sneaker-themed charity event.
Description:
Sneakerball 2024 is a casual yet formal event where attendees dress while sporting their favorite sneakers. It honors supporters and recognizes volunteers for their outstanding contributions, aiming to raise funds and awareness for Footprints Michigan's mission to provide shoes and boots to those in need across the state.
Where: Lansing | More Info: Sneakerball 2024
Christmas at Peacock Family Tree Farm
What to Expect:
Private train car rides to Santa's cabin with hot cocoa and marshmallow roasting.
Description:
At Peacock Road Family Farm, celebrate the holiday season with a festive train ride to Santa's cabin, hot cocoa, and Christmas decorations. Explore the Sugar Shack, wreath shop, and Christmas Store for unique gifts and treats.