With many holidays right around the corner, West Michigan is gearing up to celebrate the festive season.
- Kalamazoo tree lighting: Kalamazoo rings in the holidays with a Friday night full of festivities
Check out events coming up in our list below:
Allegan County
Dec. 3 through Dec. 31 - Laketown Holiday Season
Starting Dec. 5, Holiday self-guided tours will start Monday and happen every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until Dec. 28
The self-guided tour is a way for guests to learn about the history and architecture of the Felt Mansion. Tour tickets for adults are $20, for students and senior citizens over 62 are $15, and free admission for children under 12.
Guided tours Entertain and inform about the restoration project.
Dates include:
- Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. for a Candlelight tour
- Dec. 30 at 6 p.m.
- Jan. 1 at 2 p.m.
More information can be found at on their website.
Dec. 18 - Breakfast with Santa at Lynx Golf Course
Santa Claus is coming to Otsego's Lynx Golf Course. Join the jolly old soul for a festive feast of pancakes, omelets, biscuits and gravy, and so much more.
Guests can also listen to stories from Mrs. Claus while sipping on hot chocolate.
More information about the event can be found online.
Berrien County
Weekends in December - 2022 Santa Series in St. Joseph
Visit Santa in St. Joseph every weekend in December! Tell him what you wish for Christmas, take a photo, or grab a postcard from the Welcome Center to send to Santa.
Guests can also visit Santa's House on the corner of State and Pleasant Streets to drop off letters.
Through Dec. 23 - Glittery Lights, Snowy Nights: Holidays at the BCHA
Glittering lights have arrived at the History Center of Berrien Springs' Courthouse Square.
Through Dec. 23, buildings and grounds will be decorated for the holidays. Stop by for a photo opportunity, or make some memories!
This attraction is free to the public.
Kalamazoo County
All December long - Gilmore Car Museum Winter Wonderland
Christmas lights are covering the Gilmore Car Museum in Kalamazoo!
Enjoy a driving tour through the lighted grounds with festive music and decorations, or head inside to visit Santa Claus and explore the Gilmore's Festival of Trees.
Tickets at the door cost $20 for adults, or $12 for kids ages 5-17. Kids aged 4 and under are admitted for free.
Tickets online cost $17.50 for adults, and $9.50 for kids ages 5-17. Kids aged 4 and under are admitted for free.
Displays are lit Thursday through Sunday, 5-9 p.m. Additional dates include Tuesday, Dec. 13, Monday, Dec. 19, Tuesday, Dec. 20, and Wednesday, Dec. 21.
Kent County
Dec. 9-11; 16-18 - "The Nutcracker" at DeVos Performance Hall
The Grand Rapids Ballet is scheduled to perform Christmas classic "The Nutcracker" at DeVos Performance Hall for two weekends: Dec. 9-11 and 16-18.
Dancers will prance around the stage with spectacular sets and classic characters.
For the kids, the Grand Rapids Ballet is hosting Clara's Nutcracker Party on Sunday, Dec. 11 at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, where they can meet their favorite characters, do arts and crafts, enjoy tea, brunch, a live reading of "The Nutcracker" and a live performance from the Grand Rapids Ballet School.
Tickets for the performance at DeVos Performance Hall are available online, by phone at 616-454-4771 ext. 110, or in-person at Grand Rapids Ballet's box office.
Dec. 16-23 - Winter Wonderland at Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Grand Rapids Children's Museum will be hosting wintry events for the kids all throughout the month of December.
At Giftworks, different activities will be held from Dec. 16-23, including the following:
- Dec. 16 - Make a Trinket Treasure Box
- Dec. 17 - Decorate a Wreath
- Dec. 18 & 19 - Create Spice Dough Ornaments
- Dec. 20 & 21 - Make a Birdfeeder
- Dec. 22 & 23 - Create a Shrinky Dink keychain
Dec. 25-31 - Ballroom Bashes at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids + Amway Grand Plaza
Holiday events are scheduled to take place at the Amway Grand Plaza and JW Marriott Grand Rapids.
- Dec. 25 - Have Christmas morning brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Margaux with festive dishes and select buffet items. Reservations can be made online for $55 per adult and $32 per child under the age of 12.
- Dec. 31 - AHC Hospitality is scheduled to host two ballroom bashes. One in the Amway Grand Plaza’s Ambassador Ballroom and another in the JW Marriott Grand Rapids' International Ballroom, both from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The celebrations are expected to feature food, full bars, and live entertainment. Tickets can be purchased online, ages 21 and up. VIP sections are also to be available for purchase in both ballrooms and partygoers can stay in the area with Overnight New Year's Eve Packages.
- Dec. 31 - Scheduled from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., a five-course French menu with hand-picked wine pairings can be enjoyed at Margaux. Reservations can be made online for $150 per person.
Dec. 26-30 - Winter Break at Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Are the kids looking for things to do after the holidays? Grand Rapids Children's Museum might have you covered.
The museum is expected to host different events leading up to their New Year's Eve party on Dec. 30, including the following:
- Dec. 26 - Dance Party with Lori Teft
- Dec. 26 - Dance Party with Dancespire from 10-11 a.m., and from 1-2 p.m.
- Dec. 27 - Fine Art with E'lla Webber from 10-11 a.m.
- Dec. 27 - Drawing pARTy with Cynthia Hagedorn from 12-2 p.m.
- Dec. 27 - Dance Party with Dancespire from 1-2 p.m.
- Dec. 28 - Maciek the Magician Magic Show from 10-11 a.m.
- Dec. 28 - Facilitated Obstacle Course by GymCo from 1-2 p.m.
- Dec. 29 - Fine Art with E'lla Webber from 10-11 a.m.
- Dec. 29 - Maciek the Magician Magic Show from 1-2 p.m.
Dec. 30 - New Year's Early Eve at Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Join Grand Rapids Children's Museum for an early New Year's Eve celebration from 4-6 p.m.
Guests can enjoy music, treats, activities and a balloon drop.
Tickets are on sale for $10 for members of Museums for All, $10 for Grand Rapids Children's Museum members, or $20 for general admission.
- Past holiday events:Holly-jolly holidays: Festive events happening around West Michigan
Van Buren County
Dec. 31 - South Haven New Year's Eve Celebration
Celebrate New Year's in South Haven as the city closes the streets, drops 1,000 beach balls from the city center, and shoots celebratory fireworks at midnight.
Activities begin as early as 6 p.m., with music downtown starting at 9 p.m.
Merchants are also expected to stay open late, and local restaurants are offering special menu items during the event.
More information on the upcoming celebration can be found online.