cover: Downtown Kalamazoo
2026 SWMI Christmas Events & Activities
Each year, we accumulate more Christmas decorations.
Another box of ornaments, a new building for the Christmas village, or another cuddly stuffed animal donning a Santa hat.
And each January, I test my spatial skills by returning those decorations to storage in the basement, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Christmas is more magical (and more fun) since we had kids; I’m okay with a few extra trimmings to store for next year.
We’ve curated a guide to celebrating the holidays in Kalamazoo with various fun activities. No matter how your family chooses to celebrate this year, we wish you a happy and safe holiday.
Try our suggestions below for must-see Christmas events, and don’t forget our calendar for daily activities.
In this guide
Events
• Santa Events
• Tree Lighting Ceremonies
• Christmas Parades
• Holiday Shows
• Live Nativities
More Holiday Fun
• Christmas Lights
• Christmas Tree Farms
• Holiday Gift Guide
Winter
• Skiing, Sledding + Skating
• Winter Break ActivitiesÂ
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Santa Events
The jolly man in the red suit is making the rounds in 2025, and we have the scoop on where to see Santa.
Santa is inside this year in multiple spots for photos and meals and will make some parade appearances.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies
Few things are more fun than seeing an entire park light up for the season.
Try this roundup of tree lightings near Kalamazoo:
đź“·: Downtown Kalamazoo
Christmas Parades
Many cities kick off the holidays with an annual parade as their first Christmas event.
Bundle up, snag a comfy spot early, and enjoy the show; you may see Santa there too!
The Nutcracker, Christmas Plays + Holiday Concerts
Are holiday shows a family tradition?
These Christmas events showcase festive tunes, the classic Nutcracker ballet or other holiday favorites.
Which local spot will you visit for Christmas cheer and live performances?
đź“·: Ballet Arts Ensemble
Live Nativities
If you’re looking for a unique way to visualize a Nativity scene, try a live Nativity.
These scenes feature real people reenacting the original Christmas story with live animals. Some may include music, refreshments, or a live narrator to tell the story of Christmas.
If your organization is hosting a live nativity, submit your Christmas event for inclusion in our events calendar and this list.
Christmas Lights
Warm up some cocoa, put the kids in their jammies, and drive around Kalamazoo for fantastic Christmas lights.
For drive-through lights, advance tickets may be required (and will save you time waiting in line).
Christmas Tree Farms
While our Christmas tree resides in our basement for 11 months of the year, many families visit Christmas tree farms each year to bring theirs home.
Local tree farms are open and ready to help families take home a terrific tree. Starting around Thanksgiving, they offer both pre-cut and u-cut options.
Before you head out, confirm hours and payment policies (many are cash-only).
Holiday Gift Guide: Experiences + Local Retailers
Kalamazoo and its surrounding communities offer a fantastic variety of holiday gift options.
If your family wants less “stuff,” we’ve included experience options like memberships and ticket subscriptions.
Send Santa to shop locally this year, our Kalamazoo Shopping Guide covers kids of ALL ages, plus moms and dads, too.
Skiing, Sledding & Ice Skating
Many Michiganders hope for a white Christmas as the season changes and temperatures drop. But once the ground is covered in that white fluffy stuff, where are the best spots to enjoy it?
We’ve rounded up the top picks for sledding, skiing, ice skating, and tubing to jump-start your winter fun.
How many will you visit this year?
Winter Break Activities
After the presents and big meals, what are your family’s plans for the rest of winter break?
We have camps and fun winter break activities to try during the school break.
Winter break activities will be updated in mid-December, once local events are announced
đź“·: Allegan Event
