The Best Kalamazoo Christmas Lights: BIG list of Displays that Sparkle & Shine in SWMI + Driving Routes

Bronson Park in Downtown Kalamazoo will be lit up for the season starting Nov 24, 2023 at 5:00 PM at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Everyone in the community is invited to celebrate the holiday season and the diverse traditions that make it so special.

Be sure to take a stroll down Candy Cane Lane during your visit.

SCHEDULE
Bronson Park is lit for the season starting Nov 24, 2023.

TREE LIGHTING: Nov 24, 2023 at 5:00 PM

Take a stroll along Celery Flats Historical Area in Portage, and find yourself surrounded by giant holiday greeting cards, decorated trees and decorations.

Be sure to bring your letters for Santa: there's a mailbox in the pavillion.

PS: Be sure to find the KZOO Kids decorated tree!

SCHEDULE
Celery Flats is lit for the season starting Dec 2, 2023.

TREE LIGHTING: Dec 2, 2023 at 6:00 PM

A tradition since 1965, more than 40 houses display large, plywood Christmas Cards in their front yards in Westwood.

Christmas Card Lane is located on Lauderdale Drive, off W Main Street, between Kendall Avenue and Coolidge Avenue.

SCHEDULE
Cards and lights start appearing around the second week of December and disappear just after the new year.

Lights are lit from dusk until 11:30 PM.

NEW for 2023!
Crane Orchards is opening its orchard for a magical holiday drive-through light show.

With a mile of lit winter wonderland, experience the orchard like never before and enjoy holiday magic from the comfort of your car.

SCHEDULE
Nov 29 - Dec 31, 2023

Wednesday - Thursday: 6-9 PM
Friday - Saturday: 6-10 PM
Sunday: 6-9 PM

Closed Monday + Tuesday

TICKETS
Vehicles 8 passenger capacity & under: $20
Vehicles 9 capacity or more: $25

* No busses, RVs, commercial vehicles, limos, semi-trucks, or vehicles towing trailers permitted.
* Vehicles must be under 9.5' tall and less than 24' long to enter.

Travel downtown to see the streets decked out for the holidays.

Welcome to Gingerbread Wonderland in Kalamazoo! Find decorated windows and other themed decor downtown.

Pictured: Pop City Popcorn's 2023 Window (artist: Amy L Geischen)

The residence is a must-see with 235 blow-ups arranged along paths for easy viewing.

Decorations are weather-dependent, so check their Facebook page before you head over.

Visitors are allowed on the grounds but must stay on the lighted paths for safety (MANY cords that are tripping hazards).

SCHEDULE
Estimated Opening Day: Nov 17, 2023
• 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM (Sunday - Thursday)
• 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM (Friday + Saturday)

Tune to 93.1 on your radio to enjoy this light show on Rockingham Street in Kalamazoo.

The show runs 7 days/week; the owners ask that you dim your headlights and do not block any driveways while enjoying the show.

The light show consists of 1,608 rgb computer-controlled lights (pixels). The big Christmas tree, called a "mega tree," is 10ft tall and has 800 lights.

SCHEDULE
Start Date: To be announced for 2023 (typically, early December)
Everyday, 6PM - 10PM

Portage City Hall and the Portage District Library illuminate for the season with light-up characters and decorated trees.

SCHEDULE
Portage City Center is lit for the season starting Dec 2, 2023.

TREE LIGHTING: Dec 2, 2023 at 6:00 PM

Tour the Reindeer Ranch, learn about reindeer, where they come from, and what makes them so special.

Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and fire while enjoying the Christmas lights all around on your walk.

Includes rustic, all-natural-lighted trail walk in the woods behind the reindeer pens (not wheelchair or stroller friendly!)

Be sure to check out our gift shop too.

SCHEDULE
Reindeer Ranch Tours with Lighted Walk
• Nov 18 – 19
• Dec 7 – 22 (Thursdays & Fridays)
• Dec 26 – Jan 7 (Daily, excludes Jan 1)

Reindeer Tours with Lighted Walk + Santa (Weekends Only)
• Nov 25 – Dec 23, 2023 (Saturdays & Sundays)
• Friday, Nov 24

TICKETS
Tickets must be purchased in advance online.

• $15/person (Ages 2 and older)

🎫 Buy Tickets

River Lights of Wonder is a fun and free event for the entire family. Drive through the light show next to the river and see the story of Christmas as you enjoy some hot chocolate.

The show runs Fridays and Saturdays throughout December PLUS on Christmas Eve. Fridays and Christmas Eve feature outdoor activities only; Saturday offers indoor and outdoor.

River Lights of Wonder is FREE to visit.

SCHEDULE
5:45 PM - 8:30 PM, Fridays + Saturdays

Friday Dates
Dec 1, 8, 15, 22
(outdoor activities)

Saturday Dates
Dec 2, 9, 16, 23
(indoor + outdoor activities)

Christmas Eve
(outdoor activities)

Drop off a note to Santa and receive a message back from this house in Scotts, located near the HolidayHouse 5777 inflatables.

Tip: Santa's Mailbox is not waterproof so be sure to drop off your letters in a plastic bag and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

SCHEDULE
Santa's mailbox start date to be announced for 2023 (typically, around Thanksgiving)

Holiday light display in Mattawan, featuring 15+ Christmas songs! Located in the Silvergrass neighborhood.

NEW for 2023: The Grinch! Visitors are invited to take a photo with the famous Dr. Seuss character.

SCHEDULE
Light show starts on November 11, 2023

Sunday - Thursday: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday - Saturday: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Light up the Bluff will transform Lake Bluff Park into a winter wonderland (featuring 1 million holiday lights) from Dec 1, 2023 - Feb 14, 2024.

The lights will remain on through Valentine’s Day in Michigan’s Most Romantic City.

For more information, call (269) 983 5541.

SCHEDULE
Dec 1, 2023 - Feb 14, 2024
• 5:30 AM - 8:30 AM
• 5:30 PM - Midnight

TREE LIGHTING: Dec 1, 2023 at 6:00 PM

For 26 years, this Christmas Lite Show has captivated families with two miles of animated displays with its Drive-Through Lights and Memory Lane Train!

SCHEDULE
Nov 22, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023

Drive Through Lights
• Sunday - Thursday: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
• Friday - Saturday: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Memory Lane Train
• Sunday - Thursday: 5:30 / 6:30 / 7:30 PM
• Friday - Saturday: 5:30 / 6:30 / 7:30 / 8:30 / 9:30 PM

TICKETS
Drive Through Lights
• $30 per family vehicle (car/SUV/minivan) if purchased online
• Purchase Tickets Online or at Ticket Window
• Ticket window purchases on-site incur an additional $5 fee

**Lite Show Tickets that are purchased are good for one-time use on any date between Nov 23, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022**

Memory Lane Train
• $35 per bench seat, which seats 2 adults (small children may sit on laps for free)
• Purchase Tickets Online Only (No Ticket Window purchases)

🎫 Buy Tickets

Drive through lights at Calhoun County Fairgrounds.

Special events include Live Nativity and Santa visits on select days.

SCHEDULE
Nov 30 - Dec 30, 2023
• Thursdays through Sundays: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Special Events
• Eggnog Jog: Dec 6 (registration required)
• Santa Visits: Dec 9, 16, 23
• Live Nativity: Dec 8, 9

TICKETS
$10/Car
$20/Bus

**Purchase at ticket booth. Both cash and card are accepted**

The Walk Through the Lights event takes your family through a colorful experience where you walk through multiple greenhouses all decked out with different Christmas themes.

Lights are best viewed when the sun begins setting, but the experience is open during the daytime if that works better for your schedule. On an overcast day, you can see them all inside the greenhouses.

Plan on 25-45 minutes for walk through the lights. If you are also scheduled to visit Santa, plan your trip accordingly.

Be sure to stop in the market after your experience and grab some delicious donuts, fresh cider, shop the amazing gift item selection, and much more!

SCHEDULE
2023 Dates
Nov 25, 26, 30
Dec 1-3, 6-10, 13-17, 20-23 (Wednesdays – Sundays)

Special Event: Senior Night (Nov 29, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM)

TICKETS
Pre-purchase your tickets online to guarantee entry.

Tickets go on sale starting Nov 18 at 8:00 AM.

🎫 Buy Tickets

Winter Wonderland at the Gilmore Car Museum returns for its 3rd year!

• 1 mile drive through lights
• "Dashing Through the Snow" family rides through the lights in vintage cars
• Giant maze of holiday inflatables
• Hot chocolate, adult drinks, food & sweets
• Santa visits
• 1960s fresh Christmas tree and wreath lot
• Outdoor artwork exhibits from legendary automotive illustrators

SCHEDULE
Nov 24, 2003 - Dec 30, 2023
• Thursday - Sunday: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Additional open dates:
• Monday, Dec 18
• Tuesday, Dec 29
• Wednesday, Dec 20

TICKETS
Tickets are NOT date-specific. You may use your ticket on any day between Nov 24, 2023 - Dec 30, 2023.

Visitor Tip: Save $2.50/ticket by purchasing online.

At Door:
• Adult (18+) - $20
• Youth (5 - 17) - $12
• Child (4 & under) - FREE

Online:
• Adult (18+) - $17.50
• Youth (5 - 17) - $9.50
• Child (4 & under) - FREE

🎫 Buy Tickets