Zoo Goes Boo at John Ball Zoo
John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids
$22.95 adults, $16.95 youth and seniors, members free.
Home / Holidays
Halloween to New Year's
Trunk or treats, tree lightings, parades, Santa, lights and Christmas Eve services around Grand Rapids and the Lakeshore. When an organizer hasn't posted this year's date, we show last year's and say so.
Halloween
Trick-or-Treat at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Grand Rapids Children's Museum, Grand Rapids
Included with admission.
Grand Rapids Symphony: The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert
DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids
Gasolina Halloween Party (18+)
GLC Live at 20 Monroe, Grand Rapids
Family and Pet Halloween Parade and Park Party
Downtown Saugatuck, Butler and Mason streets, Saugatuck
Halloween Story Time at Hackley Public Library
Hackley Public Library, Muskegon
Free, and fine for kids.
Halloween in the Village
Downtown Spring Lake, Spring Lake
City of Muskegon Trick-or-Treating
Neighborhoods across the city, Muskegon
Zoo Goes Boo
10:00a to 5:00p, John Ball Zoo, 1300 W Fulton St, Grand Rapids, $22.95 adults, $16.95 youth and seniors, members free. Halloween weekends at the zoo, Fridays to Sundays.
Hallowee-Ones: Parade and Programming
10:00a to 2:00p, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Included with admission, free for members. Saturdays only, Oct 24 and Oct 31. A Halloween parade and activities for young kids.
Trick-or-Treat at the Museum
5:00p to 8:00p, Grand Rapids Children's Museum, 11 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Included with admission. Trick-or-treat through the museum, decorate a treat bag, crafts, games and a glow dance party. The museum closes 4:00p to 5:00p before it starts.
Haunted Haven Trick-or-Treat
5:30p to 7:00p, Central Park Place, 421 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven. Indoor trick-or-treating hosted by the City of Grand Haven.
Halloween in the Village
4:00p to 6:00p, Downtown Spring Lake, Savidge St, Spring Lake. Trick-or-treat at Village businesses 4:00p to 6:00p with cider and donuts, then community-wide trick-or-treating 6:00p to 8:00p.
Muskegon Trick-or-Treat Hours
6:00p to 8:00p, Neighborhoods citywide, Muskegon. The City of Muskegon's official trick-or-treat hours.
Family and Pet Halloween Parade and Park Party
11:00a, Downtown Saugatuck, Saugatuck. Line-up at 10:15a at Butler and Mason; walking parade, no vehicles. Party at Wicks Park after with trunk-or-treat and a costume contest, awards at 12:00p.
Douglas Halloween Parade for Adults
10:00p, Downtown Douglas, Douglas. An adult costume parade. Line-up starts at 9:00p at the Old School House on Center St. Runs rain or shine.
Trick-or-Treat at the Felt Mansion
1:00p to 3:00p, The Felt Estate, 6597 138th Ave, Laketown Township, Holland, Free, donations welcome. Indoor trick-or-treating for elementary-age kids, plus carnival games with Saugatuck Dunes State Park staff.
Christmas: lights, parades and Santa
Christkindl Markt
Wed 11:00a to 8:00p, Thu and Fri 11:00a to 9:00p, Sat 10:00a to 9:00p, Sun 10:00a to 8:00p, Grand Rapids Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids. Outdoor European-style market with 60+ gift and food vendors. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays except Dec 21 to 23 (11:00a to 9:00p). Closed Thanksgiving; Nov 25 10:00a to 5:00p; Dec 24 10:00a to 3:00p.
Holiday Market at Studio Park
Wed 1:00p to 8:00p, Thu and Fri 1:00p to 9:00p, Sat 11:00a to 9:00p, Sun 11:00a to 8:00p, Studio Park Piazza, Grand Rapids. Chalets of local makers, fire pits and holiday films on the big screen. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays except Dec 21 to 23 (1:00p to 9:00p). Closed Thanksgiving.
Kerstmarkt
Fri 3:00p to 8:00p, Sat 9:00a to 7:00p, 8th Street Marketplace, 150 W 8th St, Holland, Free. Outdoor European-style market with holiday gifts, food and artisan demos. Open Nov 20, 21, 27, 28 and Dec 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19. Free parking on site.
Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Parade
5:00p, Downtown Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Free. More than 50 parade entries. Santa reaches Rosa Parks Circle about 6:30p for the City's tree lighting at 6:45p. Letters-to-Santa station with free delivery.
Rosa Parks Circle Tree Lighting
6:45p, Rosa Parks Circle, Grand Rapids, Free. The City of Grand Rapids lights the tree right after the Santa Parade, with family activities after.
Holiday Open House
5:00p to 8:00p, Downtown Holland, Holland, Free. Stroll the decorated, lit-up downtown while shops and restaurants stay open.
Christmas and Holiday Traditions
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Included with admission. Meijer Gardens' holiday exhibition of traditions from around the world. Opening tree lighting ceremony Nov 24, 6:00p to 8:00p, included with admission.
Festival of Trees
Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon. More than 24 trees decorated by local artists and designers, plus a holiday silent auction.
Saugatuck Christmas Tree Lighting
6:00p to 8:00p, Wicks Park gazebo, 502 Water St, Saugatuck. Treats and music in Wicks Park the Friday after Thanksgiving, then shops downtown.
Douglas Light Night
6:00p, Beery Field, 8 Center St, Douglas. Tree lighting with Santa, carols and hot chocolate. Small Business Saturday shopping downtown from 12:00p to 5:00p.
Saugatuck/Douglas Holiday Cookie Tour
1:00p to 3:00p, Inns and lodgings in Saugatuck and Douglas, Saugatuck, $5 per person. Sample a holiday cookie and pick up the recipe at each stop, then vote for a favorite.
Community Tree Lighting
4:00p to 9:00p, Hackley Park, Muskegon. Tree lit at about 6:00p, with holiday train rides, food vendors and Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Letters to Santa
Hackley Park, Muskegon, Free. Drop letters in Santa's letterbox in the center of the park by Dec 16. Include a return address for a reply.
Parade of Lights
6:30p, 8th Street, from Columbia Ave west to Holland Civic Center Place, Holland, Free. Santa arrives with about 90 lighted floats, vehicles, walkers and bands. Tuesday night; starts at 8th and Columbia at 6:30p sharp.
Dutch Winterfest
Downtown Holland, Holland. Tulip Time's week of Dutch holiday traditions, including Sinterklaas events, tours and ice skating. See dutchwinterfest.com for the schedule and ticketed events.
Santa in the Workshop
5:00p to 8:00p, Epicurean Village Courtyard, 110 W Savidge St, Spring Lake. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Photo opportunity with Santa.
Magic at the Mill
5:00p to 9:00p, Windmill Island Gardens, Holland. Fridays and Saturdays Dec 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19, with one-hour timed tickets. A field of 1,000 LED tulips set to holiday music, the street organ, carousel rides for kids 12 and under, and Sinterklaas (not on Dec 4).
Strolling Santa
1:00p to 4:00p, Downtown Holland, Holland, Free. Santa visits downtown shops and restaurants on Saturdays Dec 5, 12 and 19.
Jingle Bell Parade
6:00p, Downtown Grand Haven, Franklin St to Harbor Dr to Washington Ave, Grand Haven. Run by the Coast Guard Festival starting this year. Ends at Central Park for the community tree lighting and a carol sing-along with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Pancakes With Santa
Spring Lake Community Center, Spring Lake. Breakfast seating Sat Dec 5; a dinner seating is Thu Dec 10. Part of Spring Lake Sparkle.
Whootville Christmas Parade
11:00a to 12:00p, Downtown Saugatuck, Saugatuck. Line-up at Mason and Griffith at 10:15a. Whootville or Christmas costumes encouraged.
Harvest to Holiday Winter Market
9:00a to 2:00p, Muskegon Farmers Market barn, Muskegon. Saturdays Dec 5, 12 and 19, with a chance to meet Santa.
Holidays on the Farm
5:30p to 7:00p or 7:00p to 8:30p, Van Raalte Farm, 1076 E 16th St, Holland, $10, ages 2 and under free. A lighted trail and decorated farmhouse with story time. Park at Van Raalte Dog Park or Niekerk CRC and ride the shuttle; arrive in your ticketed time slot.
Hot Cocoa Hop and Santa Visit
11:00a to 2:00p, Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, Free. Meet Santa, hot cocoa and cookies, DIY ornaments and the Festival of Trees.
Not announced yet
East Grand Rapids Tree Lighting Ceremony
Regatta Plaza, Gaslight Village, East Grand Rapids, Free. Held the Friday after Thanksgiving: reindeer, carriage rides and s'mores from 5:00p, then Santa and the tree lighting at 6:15p.
2026 date not posted yet. Last year: Fri Nov 28, 2025.
Christmas Eve services
All Saints' Episcopal Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Calvary Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Calvary Church, Grand Rapids
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Cathedral of Saint Andrew
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Cathedral of Saint Andrew, Grand Rapids
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Central Reformed Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Central Wesleyan Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Central Wesleyan Church (Central Church), Holland
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
First Christian Reformed Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Hope Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Hope Church RCA, Holland
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Park Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Pillar Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Pillar Church, Holland
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Spring Lake Presbyterian Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
St. Francis de Sales Parish
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
St. Francis de Sales Parish, Holland
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
St. John's Episcopal Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Muskegon
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
St. Patrick Parish
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
St. Patrick Parish, Grand Haven
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
St. Stephen Parish
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Christmas Eve times not posted yet. We check every week from Nov 1.
The lights map
Opens the day after Thanksgiving
A map of the best-lit houses and streets, added by the people who live there. We show the street address you give us and nothing about who lives there. You can take it down any time.