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City of Grand Rapids' Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

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Welcome the holiday season at the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting!

This annual event features a jam-packed schedule of dynamic attractions to officially kick off the holiday season in Grand Rapids. This all-ages event is from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Rosa Parks Circle and along Monroe Center. Join us along with our host, Maranda, as we welcome the holidays to Grand Rapids! The actual tree will be lit between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM.

This year’s event includes:

Free s’mores from City of Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation + Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
Free hot chocolate from GRPD
Homeless Outreach Team will be taking donations
Entertainment featuring Golden Tiger Kung Fu Academy, The Salvation Army Brass Band, GIrls Choral Academy, WMU Ice Skaters, Edelweiss Club of GR Choir, and the Grand Rapids Sled Wings Adaptive Hockey!
Cultural booths highlighting how holidays are celebrated around the world! The Mexican Heritage Association will be present with a craft for all to take home, the Edelweiss Club of Grand Rapids will warm you up with some traditional gluhwein & hot cocoa, and the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival will be serving up hot tea and traditional snacks!

A variety of family activities, arts and crafts, and giveaways from:

AND more fun with:

Appearances by Whoville characters, GR Ballet's Nutcracker and Mouse King, and Crash from the West Michigan Whitecaps.
Crafts from The Home Depot KIds Workshops
Free books from ReadGR
Members of the City’s Public Works, Customer Service and Innovation, Water, Fire, and Police departments will be on hand to show off their vehicles.

Take home a free pic with Santa courtesy of Whole Foods Market and Matrix Entertainment Agency, and grab a bite to eat from local vendors Dine Out Dawgs, Beecher's Pretzels, and Patty Matters. And get your holiday shopping in by checking out the many stores along Monroe Center!

There is also a FREE fun run! The Jingle Bell Bridge Run, put together by our friends at the LMCU Bridge Run, will start at the corner of Monroe Center and Monroe Ave. at 6:05 PM. The 2 to 3-mile route will be on sidewalks (no road closures) and take you by the decorations and lights in downtown Grand Rapids. Come dressed to be seen!! Creativity with lights and ugly sweaters are encouraged.

A very special thank you to our partners that helped make this year's tree possible: Rockford Construction, Buist Electric, Gelock Heavy Movers, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Shine Lighting, Charlie and Elizabeth Secchia & Family, and John and Monica Inhulsen & Family. Without you all, this tree would not be shining bright & standing tall!