Capital Area Christmas Light Shows + Tree Lighting and Events 2022
The holiday spirit is palpable as many have already set up their trees, started decorating, and planned creative ways to celebrate in 2022. It doesn’t surprise me that Lansing has found new ways to spread love and cheer because we are such a resilient community!
This year is no different. We’re ready to celebrate and see all things lights and wonder!
There are holiday parades, tree lighting ceremonies, fun light displays to drive or walk through, neighborhoods and houses that are all decked out, holiday events, Santa pictures and visits, tree farms to explore.
So, “grab your coat and get your hat, leave your worries on the doorstep, just direct your feet” to the holiday vibes in the Lansing area streets!
Christmas Lights Displays & Events
One of the most immersed holiday-feeling adventures you can do during the holiday season is going to an outdoor holiday light show. Walking or driving under tunnels of lights is an experience to remember.
Lansing doesn’t disappoint in this and although so much has changed over the past couple years, one thing can be sure: you’ll be able to grab a hot bevy and get out with your family to enjoy some holiday light display cheer together!
Below you’ll find holiday light shows + houses and neighborhoods worth the drive-thru!
Silver Bells in the City
Downtown Lansing Capitol
100 N Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48933
» November 18, 2022 | 5-9pm
The holiday season in Lansing kicks off with Silver Bells in the City!
Bringing together family and friends from across the state and beyond to shop, stroll the downtown streets, watch the electric light parade, and see the lighting of the state Christmas tree. FREE.
State Christmas tree at the Lansing State Capitol
Wonderland of Lights
Potter Park Zoo
1301 S Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing, MI 48912
» November 9-December 23, 2022 | 5-8pm, Various dates
Thousands of lights create extraordinary holiday lights displays at the 30th annual Wonderland of Lights!
Stroll around the zoo during a magical Michigan winter evening and take in the twinkling light displays across the zoo while holiday music plays.
Buy tickets online or at the gate. $9 adults, $5 for kids 3-12.
Lansing Holiday Light Show
Lansing Cottonwood Campground
5339 Aurelius Rd, Lansing, MI 48911
» November 17-December 31, 2022 | Select dates, 5-9pm
You won’t want to miss the only drive-thru light show in Lansing! Pile the whole fam in and tune the radio to enjoy this synced light and music show from the warmth of your car. The route is 0.5 mile. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door on select dates. $25/carload. $62.50/season pass.
Downton Jackson Christmas Parade
Downtown Jackson
» November 18, 2022 | 6pm
A tradition for 31 years, the Jackson Christmas Parade will feature floats, marching bands, and end with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. You can also bring your Santa letters to the parade Friday night where you can mail them to the North Pole!
Nite Lites
Michigan International Speedway
12626 US-12, Brooklyn, MI 49230
» November 24-December 31, 2022 | Sun-Th 5:30-9pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10pm
Nite Lites is a drive-thru light display spanning 5 miles across MIS property. Two lanes of traffic allow guests to drive through 6 lighted tunnels, 15 mega trees and more than 10-miles of Christmas lights lining the 5 mile route. $30/car Sun-Th, $35/car Fri & Sat.
Mason Holiday Lighted Parade
Downtown Mason
» November 25, 2022 | 6pm
The Mason Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 21st Annual Mason Holidays Celebration! You are invited to join for the tree lighting ceremony where the Citizen of the Year will give the command to light the tree. The holiday parade with its lights all aglow will arrive downtown shortly after the tree lighting.
Fantasy of Lights
123 E Washington St, Howell, MI 48843
» November 25 | 7pm
Head to downtown Howell to kick of the holiday season with a slew of events as part of the Fantasy of Lights Festival. Enjoy the sounds of choirs, pictures with Santa, the Fantasy 5K at 6pm, and finishing with the Fantasy of Lights parade which starts off at 7pm.
Glow Owosso
Downtown Owosso
209 N Washington St, Owosso, MI 48867
» November 25, 2022 | 7pm Parade
Owosso will shine during Glow Owosso 2022. Activities include the Glow Run at 5:30pm, shopping, the Glow Parade at 7pm, visit with Santa following the parade, horse and carriage rides after the parade, and the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree.
Walk Thru the Lights
Hamlett Lavender Farm
10722 Stinchfield Woods Rd, Pinckney, MI 48169
» November 25-December 30, 2022 | Various dates, 6-8pm
Enjoy this beautiful outdoor holiday experience with lights, fires photo opportunities, music, gift shop with hot cocoa available, and more.r gifts and baked goods. The cost of admission is $5 per person, paid before you park.
Lighted Holiday Parade
Downtown Charlotte
Charlotte, MI 48813
» November 26, 2022 | 6pm
Shop in downtown Charlotte on November 26 for Small Business Saturday, and then at dusk get ready for a lighted holiday parade through the streets. The parade ends at the historic courthouse where the annual tree lighting will take place.
Stockbridge Festival of Lights & Light Parade
Downtown Stockbridge
» November 26, 2022 | 3-6pm
Join us for a magical, fun-filled afternoon! Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse drawn wagon rides, tree lighting, food vendors, entertainment, elf stops, and light parade! Parade begins at 6pm.
Marshall Christmas Parade
Downtown Marshall
» November 28, 2022 | 7pm
The Marshall Christmas Parade has been a tradition for 58 years and attracts thousands of people from around the area. Each float is decorated with bright lights and holiday decorations. Wonderful music from local bands, gorgeous floats, hot cocoa from local retailers, and more! Don’t miss this parade! Stop downtown before the parade and enjoy unique shopping and take photos with our vintage holiday decorations!
The Merry Mile
Calhoun County Fairgrounds
720 Fair St, Marshall, MI 49068
» Dec 1-Dec 30, 2022 | 6-9pm, Th-Sun except Dec 24, 25, & 31
Drive through the Calhoun County Fairgrounds to ooh and ahh at the lights of The Merry Mile. Don’t miss the Egg Nog Jog, Kids Dash, Santa visits, egg nog, and hot chocolate. $10/car/truck/van, $20/bus
Holiday Nights of Lights
Frances Park
2701 Moores River Dr, Lansing, MI 48911
» Dec 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 2022 | 6-9pm
Frances Park in Lansing is transformed into a winter wonderland! This FREE drive-thru light display features exciting displays and LOTS of lights
Night Lights Christmas Parade & Festivities
Downtown Grand Ledge, beginning at Grand Ledge Fire Department
Starts at 500 N Clinton St, Grand Ledge, MI
» December 2, 2022 | 7pm
Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their appearance at the end of the parade, trading in their red sleigh for a red fire truck. Photos with Santa, letters to Santa mailbox in the plaza, get warm by the firepit in the plaza, Christmas caroling.
5 PM Visits with Santa and fundraiser for GLEAP in Bridge Street Plaza
5 PM Grand Ledge Area District Library Gingerbread House Kits
6 PM Grand Ledge Rotary Club Chili Cookoff
6:30 PM Christmas Caroling in Bridge Street Plaza
6:45 PM Tree Lighting in Bridge Street Plaza
7 PM Christmas Parade Starts at the fire station and heads south on Bridge Street
DeWitt Christmas Festival of Trees & Electric Light Parade
Downtown DeWitt
» December 3, 2022 | 5:30pm
DeWitt hosts their 9th annual Christmas Festival of Trees and Electric Light Parade. Fireworks follow the parade.
St. Johns Light Festival & Parade
Downtown St. Johns
» December 3, 2022 | 6:30pm
It’s back! The Festival of Lights! Craft show will be at the South Point Mall 9-3. Breakfast with Santa tickets watch for dates and times available. Parade will be on Friday downtown St. Johns at 6:30pm. House decorating contest voting Starts Nov 28 and goes until Dec 31 at 11pm.
Craft and baked goods market, talking trees, glow put put golf, glow bag toss, train rides around town, and SANTA!!!!
Williamston Light Parade
Downtown Williamston
» December 3, 2022 | 6pm
It’s the 25th annual Williamston Holiday Light Parade. The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who will be there too.
Santa’s Light Parade – Laingsburg Winterfest
Downtown Laingsburg
» December 3, 2022 | 6-7pm
Come join us for Santa’s Light Parade in downtown Laingsburg! This year we’re sticking with the extended route throughout town to allow for better viewing in your car, downtown home, or businesses.
Veterans Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Open House
Tompkins Center Historical Society
10138 Tompkins Rd, Rives Junction, MI 49277
» December 4, 2022 | 4-7pm
Head to downtown Tompkins to sing Christmas carols, then proceed to the museum for hot chocolate and enjoy delicious cookies. They’ll host their annual Christmas Tree Lighting to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season. Everyone is welcome! This is their annual Veteran’s Memorial Celebration. The tree is decorated with the names of Veterans from the area or any Veterans whose names they are able to get. Please email to the website address any names that you would like to have on the tree. Veterans are either from current service or from any military situation.
Portland Christmas Light Parade
Downtown Portland
» December 10, 2022 | 6pm
Light parade begins at 6pm in Portland on Kent St from the library to Grand River, and Grand River to Water St. Tree lighting immediately follows at Scout Park.
Leslie’s Lighted Christmas Parade
Downtown Leslie
» December 10, 2022 | 6-9pm
Holiday Lighted Parade in Leslie steps off from Homestead Savings Bank at 4625 Hull Road at 7pm and heads downtown.
Cosmic Christmas Light Show
Hurst Planetariums
3225 4th St, Jackson, MI 49203
» December 17-December 23, 2022 | Daily 11:30am, 2:30pm, 4:00pm
Enjoy this annual holiday light show complete with amazing graphics and sounds. This is a must-see event for family holiday fun. $5 for adults, free for members, free for children 3 and under.
Michigan’s 10 Best Drive Through Christmas Lights for 2022
NEIGHBORHOODS + HOUSES
Neighborhoods and houses also know how to bring out all the stops at Christmastime. Here are some displays that are worth the drive. Many have lights that dance along to the music!
Be courteous and respectful of neighbors when visiting neighborhood light displays. Follow traffic rules and make sure to turn off your headlights when parked.
Lake Victoria Lights
Highland Hills Subdivision
6768 Highland Dr, Laingsburg, MI 48848
» November 25-January 2023 | Sun-Th 5:30-9:30, Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30
This subdivision in Laingsburg brings the fun with their incredible yearly lightshow with approximately 27,000 lights. Tune your radio to 100.1FM and watch the lights flash in synchronization to the music.
Haslett Christmas Lights
177 Damon Rd, Haslett, MI 48840
This elaborate display will really wow you.
Lansing Christmas Lights
Westside Neighborhood
The Westside Neighborhood is located just west of downtown Lansing.
Moores Neighborhood
Start on Moores River Drive and zigzag your way through the beauty. As you start, there’s a big Santa waving from a three seasons room you can’t miss!
Groesbeck Neighborhood
This neighborhood is lovely. Houses are decked out including a dreidel on one of my friend’s lawns that just makes you want to smile!
Frances Park and surrounding area
Make your way across MLK toward Frances Park. This neighborhood is beautiful. Try the other side of the river as well or at least don’t forget to look at the riverfront homes.
Mar-Moor Neighborhood
Located in Waverly between Waverly road and Willow Hwy. Start on Mar-Moor and let it lead you through a winding light-delight.
Old Everett Neighborhood
We love how these beautiful older homes light up the night. Located near the Jolly and Pennsylvania Ave.
Walmar Estates
This one is a sight to see every year. Located on the northwest side of Lansing.
Granger Waste Service
16980 Wood Rd, Lansing, MI 48906
Granger has decorated their facility and it’s beautiful! If you’re around Eastwood it’s just a hop over to Wood St. and worth the drive through their parking lot.
Old Town Lansing
The light poles along are a lovely sight at night, but bonus: the stores are all decked out as well.
Downtown Lansing
Shops have decorated for the season. That combined with the big tree and annual large ornaments at the Michigan Ave/Washington roundabout loop make this a great drive-thru.
Holt Christmas Lights
5202 Runnymede Dr, Holt, MI 48842
There’s a movie/light show and runs for about a 30-minute loop. Tune to 90.3.
4545 Don St, Holt, MI 48842
The lights dance to the music at this house.
3610 Creole Way, Holt, MI 48842
Tune into 91.3
2780 Oakleaf Dr, Holt, MI 48842
Downtown Holt
Blue lights fill the trees that line the streets + check out the lights at the library and Veterans Memorial Park.
Eagle Area Christmas Lights
12551 S Grange Rd, Eagle MI
Between Eagle and Westphalia. Enjoy from 6-8pm and longer closer to Christmas.
Elsie Christmas Lights
8550 N St Clair Rd, Elsie, MI 48831
It’s a Mickey Mouse Christmas! Over 59,000 lights and over 50 characters! Check out this house in Clinton County. Runs Dec 1-26.
Marshall Christmas Lights
401 E Mansion St, Marshall, MI 49068
Known as the “Holiday House,” this is a spectacular holiday display.
Did we miss a great house or neighborhood?
Comment below and tell us all about it. Thanks for spreading the holiday vibes, Lansing!
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Potterville Christmas Parade is Saturday , December 7 at 6pm.
Just wanted to add that the MOPS group at Redeemer Church is also a MOPS and MOMSnext group! Moms of children birth through all school age are welcome. And it’s an evening group!