There is an enormous selection of holiday themed events you can take the family out to this weekend with parades, tree lightings, concerts and more. We’ve read the list, checked it twice, and come up with a few options you won’t want to miss.
Rosa Parks Circle Tree Lighting
The winter season officially kicks off in grand rapids with the downtown Christmas tree lighting tonight. Carolers, local food trucks, nutcracker ballet performers, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus are all waiting at Rosa Parks Circle between 5 to 7 p.m.
Along with the tree lighting, the McKay Tower Dome and Blue Bridge will be lit up in holiday colors. The event also coincides with the opening of the Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink, but weather may not yet be cold enough to get things started this weekend.
Christmas for the Animals
The John Ball Zoo is closed for the season, but they do open their doors for one event around this time of year.
Christmas for the Animals is this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., plus Santa and his reindeer will be there. Admission is free if you bring a gift for the animals. There is a list of enrichment items at jbzoo.org.
Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops
The Grand Rapids Symphony along with the Symphony and Youth Choruses present the Wolverine Worldwide Holiday Pops Concerts all weekend long. The matinee on Saturday is my family’s choice as they have a pre-concert party complete with treats, games, crafts, an instrument petting zoo where your kids can try out different instruments, caroling, photos and more.
Then you can enjoy the great classics like sleigh ride, the hallelujah chorus, selections from Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" and more.
For more details on this event, go to grsymphony.org.
