We found four Christmas tree lightings in and around Grand Rapids whose organizer page shows a 2026 date, a time and a place. The first one on the list is City of Grand Rapids Tree Lighting on Nov 21. One page says the lighting is free. Three do not state a price.
By date
Tap one for the time, the price and what the organizer says about little kids.
6:45 p.m. · Rosa Parks Circle24NovTueUniversity of Michigan Health-West Christmas and Holiday Traditions Tree Lighting6–8 p.m. · Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park27NovFriGaslight Village Tree Lighting5–8 p.m. · Regatta Plaza5DecSatGrand Haven Jingle Bell ParadeParade at 6 p.m. · Central ParkTree lightings
Date, time, place and price come from each organizer’s own page. A page that does not state a price stays “No pricing information.”
Rosa Parks Circle · Rosa Parks Circle, Grand Rapids, MI
For little kids: Santa arrives for the lighting. A parade starts at 5 p.m., and a letter-writing station sends letters to the North Pole at no charge.
Good to know: The parade page calls the evening a free community event and says the city lights the tree at 6:45 p.m.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park · 1000 East Beltline Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
For little kids: After the tree is lit, Santa is in the Garden Pavilion, and holiday music follows.
Regatta Plaza · 2181 Wealthy St. SE, East Grand Rapids, MI
For little kids: Santa is part of the lighting. The page also lists reindeer petting, s’mores and live entertainment.
Central Park · Central Park, Grand Haven, MI
For little kids: Santa and Mrs. Claus are at the tree lighting. Hot chocolate is served, and there is a carol sing-along.
Nearby cities
Each city has its own list, checked the same way.
Before you go
TimeGo by the cardThe time on each card is the one posted when we checked. Recheck the organizer’s page the day you go.
WarmDress for standing stillA lighting is usually outdoors at dusk. A blanket for the stroller helps more than a walk would.
SpotStand where they can seeA tree lighting is short. A spot near the tree, not the back of the crowd, is the one little kids can see.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 nap
Christmas parades in GRParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas 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 notesChristmas 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
City of Grand Rapids Tree Lighting at Rosa Parks Circle: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 6:45 p.m. University of Michigan Health-West Christmas and Holiday Traditions Tree Lighting at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Tue, Nov 24, 2026, 6–8 p.m. Gaslight Village Tree Lighting at Regatta Plaza: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 5–8 p.m. Grand Haven Jingle Bell Parade at Central Park: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Parade at 6 p.m.; tree lighting at Central Park after the parade.
One of the four are posted as free: City of Grand Rapids Tree Lighting. Three pages do not state a price, so those cards say “No pricing information.”
Santa: City of Grand Rapids Tree Lighting, University of Michigan Health-West Christmas and Holiday Traditions Tree Lighting and Gaslight Village Tree Lighting. Cocoa: Grand Haven Jingle Bell Parade. A performance: University of Michigan Health-West Christmas and Holiday Traditions Tree Lighting, Gaslight Village Tree Lighting and Grand Haven Jingle Bell Parade. A parade: City of Grand Rapids Tree Lighting and Grand Haven Jingle Bell Parade. Only what that lighting’s own page states is listed.
Parade dates and start times are on the Christmas parades page. This page is the tree lightings.
The month’s other dated listings are on the December page, and November’s are on the November page.
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 Nov 11, 2026, and we recheck them every week through December. How we choose and check.
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