In 2026, Christmas parades near Grand Rapids run Nov 21 through Dec 5. One of them is a parade of lights. Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Parade is Nov 21 and is free to watch. Holland Parade of Lights is Dec 1 and is free to watch.
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Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Tree lighting · Evening21NovSatGentex Grand Rapids Santa Parade
Parade · 5 p.m.24NovTueMeijer Gardens Tree Lighting CeremonyTree lighting · 6–8 p.m.27NovFriGaslight Village Tree LightingTree lighting · 5–8 p.m.1DecTueHolland Parade of LightsParade · 6:30 p.m.5DecSatGrand Haven Jingle Bell ParadeParade · 6 p.m.Nothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
Downtown Grand Rapids · Steps off at Division Ave. & Michigan St.
Good to know: There’s a children’s letter-writing station with free USPS delivery to the North Pole.
Downtown Holland · Holland
Good to know: It begins at the corner of 8th Street and Columbia Avenue and goes west on 8th Street to Holland Civic Center Place, 150 West 8th Street. Santa arrives with the lighted entries. The organizer says 2026 parade entries are full. That is the participant list, not a spectator sellout. The page does not post a spectator parking plan. Check the organizer for details.
Franklin St. to Central Park, downtown · Grand Haven
Good to know: More than 80 lit floats wind through downtown to Central Park. Santa and Mrs. Claus lead the tree lighting and carol sing-along at the end.
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
Downtown Rockford · Rockford
Good to know: Part of Discover a Rockford Christmas; the Holiday Stroll open houses run Nov 12-14.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park · Grand Rapids
Good to know: The lighting is in the BISSELL Corridor, followed by holiday music until 8 p.m.
Regatta Plaza, 2181 Wealthy St. SE · East Grand Rapids
Good to know: The mayor and Santa light the 30-foot tree together. Kids can pet reindeer and roast s’mores.
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s addedBefore you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Every year
Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in GR
Keep planning
November: things to do in GREvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in GREvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in GRFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in GRFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in GRIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in GRStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branch
Ice skating in GRHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in GRParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in GRKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas trains in GRPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in GRBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in GRChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas tree farms in GRChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in GRDates, times and what the organizer posts for kidsChristmas break in GRWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
Splash pads in GRSpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hoursBirthday party places in GRStarting prices, ages and what’s included
More things to do with kids in Grand Rapids this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Parade: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 5 p.m. (steps off about 5:15 p.m.); Santa reaches Rosa Parks Circle about 6:30 p.m., city tree lighting 6:45 p.m. (Steps off at Division Ave. & Michigan St.). Holland Parade of Lights: Tue, Dec 1, 2026, 6:30 p.m. (Holland). Grand Haven Jingle Bell Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 6 p.m. (Grand Haven).
Rockford Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Downtown Rockford: Fri, Nov 20, 2026, Evening (see page). Meijer Gardens Tree Lighting Ceremony at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Tue, Nov 24, 2026, 6–8 p.m. Gaslight Village Tree Lighting at Regatta Plaza, 2181 Wealthy St. SE: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 5–8 p.m. The full list is on the tree lighting page.
Four of the six we list are free to watch: Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Parade, Gaslight Village Tree Lighting, Holland Parade of Lights and Grand Haven Jingle Bell Parade. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.
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Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Parade