Sleigh bells are ringing

From concerts to gift markets to galas and parties, there is an abundance of holiday events throughout the Lansing area in the coming weeks. Of course, we can’t highlight everything in just one page, but the following is a list of especially notable happenings that are sure to spark the holiday spirit in even the grinchiest of friends or family members. For information on additional seasonal festivities, make sure to check out our Out on the Town section and weekly Thursday morning e-newsletters throughout the month.

Wonderland of Lights

Through Dec. 23

5-8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday

Potter Park Zoo

1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing

Potter Park Zoo has once again decorated its pathways with thousands of lights, which are available to view 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday through Dec. 23. Festive music rings throughout the zoo as patrons revel in the holiday spirit while taking in the light displays and animal enclosures. Fridays and Saturdays, families can take photos with Santa.

Holiday Nights of Lights

Through Dec. 22

6-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Frances Park

2701 Moores River Drive, Lansing

The city of Lansing also hosts an annual light display, but this one is a drive-thru. Featuring a series of holiday scenes adorned with lights, the cruise through Frances Park is free and open to all 6 to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday through Dec. 22. There’s even an “I spy” activity for younger passengers, which can be found at www.lansingmi.gov/967/Holiday-Nights-of-Lights.

Night Lights Christmas parade and festivities

4-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6

Downtown Grand Ledge

Similar to Silver Bells in the City’s electric light parade, Grand Ledge’s Night Lights Christmas parade kicks off 7 p.m. Friday (Dec. 6) at the fire department and continues down Bridge Street to Scott Street. Santa will make an appearance at the end of the parade, trading in his sleigh for a fire truck. The parade will be immediately preceded by the lighting of the Grand Ledge Christmas tree and followed by opportunities to visit with Santa, both at Bridge Street Plaza.

Additionally, the Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation will hold a grilling fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bridge Street Plaza; the Grand Ledge Area District Library will offer crafts, balloon art and caroling from 5 to 7 p.m.; and the Grand Ledge Rotary Club will hold a chili cookoff from 6 to 8 p.m. at the opera house.

Old Town Krampusnacht

4-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

Old Town, Lansing

Old Town’s Krampusnacht returns for a second year Saturday evening (Dec. 7), offering a Krampus parade, an expanded Misfit vendor market, a costume contest, an art exhibit, live entertainment, food and drink vendors, games, kids’ activities and more. Though the event has a darker tone than most other holiday events, it promises free, lighthearted fun for the whole family.

Winterfest

3-9 p.m. Saturday Dec. 7

Downtown Laingsburg

Laingsburg will be awash with holiday activities on Saturday (Dec. 7), including a winter market, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus and horse-drawn carriage rides from 3 to 8 p.m., all at the Early Childhood Education Center; a lighted parade beginning at 6 p.m. at Laingsburg Elementary School; and a silent disco from 8 to 9 p.m. at Twilliger’s Tavern. The Grinch will be on the loose around town, taking photos with families and perhaps making a few rude comments.

Big Red Ball 

7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 

Atrium Building 

215 S. Washington Square, Lansing 

Downtown Lansing Inc. will hold its first-ever black-tie holiday gala, Big Red Ball, Saturday evening (Dec. 7) to raise funds for placemaking efforts, streetscape improvement and rehabilitation of historic buildings. Attendees can enjoy gourmet cuisine, a premium bar, live entertainment by violinist Rodney Page, special performances by Riverwalk Theatre and more.  

Mariachi Herencia de México: “A Mariachi Christmas”

7:30 p.m. Dec. 12

Wharton Center Cobb Great Hall

750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing

Two-time Latin Grammy-nominated band Mariachi Herencia de México will bring its “A Mariachi Christmas” show to the Wharton Center on Dec. 12. The 14-member ensemble, based in Chicago, will perform classic Mexican and American holiday tunes with a modern mariachi twist, including “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland” and many more.

Holiday Road Rally

6 p.m. Dec. 13

Foster Community Center

200 N. Foster Ave., Lansing

The city of Lansing will reprise its popular Holiday Road Rally photo scavenger hunt on Dec. 13. Teams of four to six participants receive a clue book and rules at Foster Community Center, then embark on a hunt to capture as many photos and videos as they can in three hours before racing back to a local restaurant for the award ceremony. Teams can register at lansingmi.gov/968/Holiday-Road-Rally or by calling (517) 483-4313.

Holiday Sing

7:30 p.m. Dec. 13

University Lutheran Church

1020 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing

The Ten Pound Fiddle’s annual Holiday Sing offers all community members, regardless of vocal ability, a chance to sing along to a variety of pieces themed around winter, the solstice, peace, home, Christmas and the new year. Songs will be led by Ten Pound Fiddle booking manager and musician Sally Potter, with accompaniment by pianist Doug Austin and hammered dulcimer player Doug Berch. Lyric sheets will be provided. Lansing Poet Laureate Ruelaine Stokes will share a few spoken-word pieces during song breaks.

Festival of Trees

Opening gala 7 p.m. Dec. 13

Dec. 14-31

1-7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday

Noon-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Turner-Dodge House

100 E. North St., Lansing

The Turner-Dodge House’s Festival of Trees opens Dec. 13 with a gala featuring live jazz music by local duo Clique Vocals, hors d’oeuvres, wine and the selection of the top three best-decorated trees by a panel of judges. Tickets will be available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis, and those with an annual Friends of Turner-Dodge family membership will receive free admission. Following the gala, the house will be open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays through Dec. 31. All three floors of the historic mansion will be adorned with trees decorated by local businesses, organizations and individuals. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the restoration and preservation of the house.