Walking in a Lansing WonderlandThis winter, our animal friends at Potter Park Zoo will wake up to find their world transformed into a glimmering, shimmering landscape of lights, carolers and winter activities. Stroll through the Wonderland of Lights' LED animal displays and the moving light sculptures, then "paws" to say hello to Santa and Mrs. Claus. Through Friday, Dec. 23 @ Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing; open Thurs.-Sun., 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; $4 for adults, $2 for children ages 3-16, free for children two years and younger
Old Town Us, Everyone!
Pull out your fur hand muffler and monocle: Old Town Lansing will transform into a Victorian scene from a Charles Dickens novel during the Old Town Dickens Village festival. The festivities will begin with the Scrooge Scramble, a 5K run along the River Trail and on the streets of Old Town. Following the race, Old Town businesses will host family friendly holiday activities. Build a gingerbread house at Favorites Café, make a Christmas card for loved ones at Gallery 1212 and go for a carriage ride with sleigh bells jingling. The Greater American Fierce Beard Organization will provide arts and crafts, and carolers and puppeteers will perform throughout the afternoon while Sir Pizza serves free hot coca and cider. Saturday, Dec. 3 @ Old Town Lansing; noon-5 p.m.; free
Pull out your fur hand muffler and monocle: Old Town Lansing will transform into a Victorian scene from a Charles Dickens novel during the Old Town Dickens Village festival. The festivities will begin with the Scrooge Scramble, a 5K run along the River Trail and on the streets of Old Town. Following the race, Old Town businesses will host family friendly holiday activities. Build a gingerbread house at Favorites Café, make a Christmas card for loved ones at Gallery 1212 and go for a carriage ride with sleigh bells jingling. The Greater American Fierce Beard Organization will provide arts and crafts, and carolers and puppeteers will perform throughout the afternoon while Sir Pizza serves free hot coca and cider. Saturday, Dec. 3 @ Old Town Lansing; noon-5 p.m.; free
Get Your Glow On
East Lansing's capstone festival, Winter Glow, features a reindeer petting zoo, ice carving, photo ops with Santa and Mrs. Claus, marshmallow and chestnut roasting, as well as an exhibition of local merchants and a gift guide. As darkness settles over the bustling holiday scene, watch downtown East Lansing shine brightly with a special "Lighting of the Luminaries" event. Saturday, December 3 @ downtown East Lansing; winter activities 3-6 p.m., Lighting of the Luminaries 5 p.m.; free
East Lansing's capstone festival, Winter Glow, features a reindeer petting zoo, ice carving, photo ops with Santa and Mrs. Claus, marshmallow and chestnut roasting, as well as an exhibition of local merchants and a gift guide. As darkness settles over the bustling holiday scene, watch downtown East Lansing shine brightly with a special "Lighting of the Luminaries" event. Saturday, December 3 @ downtown East Lansing; winter activities 3-6 p.m., Lighting of the Luminaries 5 p.m.; free
A-Wassailing through Williamston
Williamston will transform into something reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell painting during its 15th Annual Holiday Light Parade. Illuminated floats will lead marching bands, carolers and animals to the steps of City Hall, where the Williamston High School Madrigals will provide a holiday soundtrack to the official tree lighting. Visit the nearby antique shops and coffeehouses, which have extended hours for the event.
Saturday, Dec. 3 @ downtown Williamston on Grand River Avenue and Putnam Streets; 6-9 p.m.; free
Williamston will transform into something reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell painting during its 15th Annual Holiday Light Parade. Illuminated floats will lead marching bands, carolers and animals to the steps of City Hall, where the Williamston High School Madrigals will provide a holiday soundtrack to the official tree lighting. Visit the nearby antique shops and coffeehouses, which have extended hours for the event.
Saturday, Dec. 3 @ downtown Williamston on Grand River Avenue and Putnam Streets; 6-9 p.m.; free
Create a Happy Holiday
Encourage your child's visions of sugarplums come to life at the Children's Holiday Studios Workshop at the Lansing Art Gallery. The artist-driven non-profit gallery provides an artistic space for children's imaginative holiday renderings in three workshops throughout December. Each explore a different medium of art: painting, jewelry, and clay. Children will also be given materials to make their own wrapping paper and gift cards; all supplies are included. Saturday, Dec. 3 (painting), Saturday, Dec. 10 (jewelry), and Saturday, Dec. 17 (clay) @ Lansing Art Gallery, 119 N. Washington Sq Lansing; 1:30-3:30 p.m.; $30 for non-members, $25 for members
Tea at the Turner-Dodge House
Celebrate the holidays in the lavishly decorated Turner-Dodge house, a Lansing historical landmark built in 1858 by James Turner. Walking through the foyer, you may feel transported into a Louisa May Alcott novel: the dining room is bedecked with holly and garland; the austere pathway covered in snow. Families will enjoy daintily prepared finger foods and warm tea on a cold day. Tea is served twice - once in the morning, and once in the afternoon. Each session will focus on retelling a beloved holiday story: the Nutcracker and stories from Charles Dickens, respectively. Saturday, Dec. 10 @ the Turner-Dodge House, 100 E. North Street, Lansing; Nutcracker tea 10 a.m., Dickens tea 3 p.m.; $8 per person
Decembersongs at the Pump House, a Pleasant Alternative to Carolers
The four-part singer-songwriter group Decembersongs (folk artists Amy Speace, Dan Navarro, Grammy-nominated Sally Barris and Grammy winner Jon Vezner) will perform their original holiday songs at the Orchard Street Pump House, a venue noted for hosting intimate indie shows and unique events. The group's folk-inspired acoustic melodies and sweet harmonies will provide a refreshing twist on holiday classics.
Monday, Dec. 12 @ the Pump House, 368 Orchard St. East Lansing; 7 p.m.; $15
The four-part singer-songwriter group Decembersongs (folk artists Amy Speace, Dan Navarro, Grammy-nominated Sally Barris and Grammy winner Jon Vezner) will perform their original holiday songs at the Orchard Street Pump House, a venue noted for hosting intimate indie shows and unique events. The group's folk-inspired acoustic melodies and sweet harmonies will provide a refreshing twist on holiday classics.
Monday, Dec. 12 @ the Pump House, 368 Orchard St. East Lansing; 7 p.m.; $15
Magic at Meridian
Though it's not exactly Santa's workshop, the Meridian Mall serves much of the same purpose. While tallying up your present count for each child (keep it fair!), enjoy classic holiday songs performed by choirs from local schools and churches. Proceeds from donations gathered at the event will benefit St. Vincent's Catholic Charities. Santa and his elves will also be available for photographs and granting Christmas wishes.
Saturday, Dec. 17 @ Meridian Mall, 1982 W. Grand River Ave., Okemos; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; donations welcomed. Santa @ Meridian Mall; Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday, noon-6 p.m. now through Christmas Eve
Though it's not exactly Santa's workshop, the Meridian Mall serves much of the same purpose. While tallying up your present count for each child (keep it fair!), enjoy classic holiday songs performed by choirs from local schools and churches. Proceeds from donations gathered at the event will benefit St. Vincent's Catholic Charities. Santa and his elves will also be available for photographs and granting Christmas wishes.
Saturday, Dec. 17 @ Meridian Mall, 1982 W. Grand River Ave., Okemos; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; donations welcomed. Santa @ Meridian Mall; Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday, noon-6 p.m. now through Christmas Eve
