all weekend:
The traditional European Christmas market has finally arrived in West Michigan! Saturday marked the beginning of the first weekend of the Christkindlmarkt, the first downtown market. Children will have the opportunity to watch Santa create memorable holiday arts and crafts while parents enjoy traditional hot mulled wine.
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The market is open from 10am to 9pm on Saturday and 7pm on Sunday, but if you can’t make it this weekend, it will reopen on Wednesday.
This is the 31st Annual Christmas Holiday Shopping Extravaganza through Lowell. This free event will be held throughout the weekend and will feature more than 350 vendors in 68 homes, area churches and local businesses. Find handmade treasures, jewelry, Christmas decorations, folk art, fine art, antiques, homemade bags, rugs, and more. Pick up a guidebook on the website, at the Chamber, or at a stop along the route.
Saturday:
It’s parade day around West Michigan! The 2023 Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. from Lyon and Monroe. A family-friendly after-parade party will be held at 11:00 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church parking lot. The Children’s Museum of Grand Rapids and Family Promise of West Michigan offer all sorts of fun, including a stop with Santa.
In Kalamazoo, the Maple Hill Holiday Parade begins at 11 a.m. at Lowell and Portage streets. After the parade, enjoy food, games, hot chocolate, and a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Also in Kalamazoo, The Nutcracker takes the stage in Miller Auditorium. The Ballet Arts Ensemble collaborates with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra to perform Tchaikovsky’s classic, complete with lavish costumes and life-size sets. Shows are at his 2:00 and 7:00 p.m., and ticket prices range from $5 to $55. For more information, please visit the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra website.
Experience the magic of downtown Holland during the holiday season. More than 60 shops and restaurants will be participating in the Holiday Open House on Saturday night from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be special promotions, refreshments, gift wrapping, discounts, giveaways and more. In addition to Santa, there will also be carols, reindeer, roasted chestnuts and a free trolley.
This is one of just four chances this season to win the Grand Rapids Gold at home on Saturday night. This week, we depart on Motor City Cruises, an affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, at 7 p.m. If you bring a thank you card and send it to your unit serving overseas, you will be entered into a drawing to win Trans-Siberian Orchestra tickets and a hotel stay. Tickets start at $14.
Sunday:
In Muskegon, families have the opportunity to see iconic video game characters appearing on the big screen at Teatro Frauenthal. The movie “Sonic the Hedgehog” will be shown at 3 p.m. No Fees, No Tickets The movie has a total running time of 99 minutes and is rated PG. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sunday is the last day of the season at John Ball Zoo before the animals go into hibernation. Here’s a rundown of what the zoo has added this season: Pygmy hippos…storks and black swans have all been added to the roster. Additionally, a baby red panda and an eastern mountain bongo were born at the zoo. During the winter, the zoo offers behind-the-scenes experiences and private guided tours. On Sunday all tickets will be 50% off. John Ball Zoo will reopen on March 22nd.
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