Illustration of a santa visit scene (Kentwood Tree Lighting Ceremony and Stationary Holiday Parade)
Other Christmas Activities

Kentwood Tree Lighting Ceremony and Stationary Holiday Parade

Experience the magic of the holidays at Kentwood's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Stationary Holiday Parade. This festive event features a unique stationary parade where you can stroll past creatively decorated floats and vehicles. Enjoy a visit with Santa, warm up with hot chocolate, and delight in a ballet performance of 'The Nutcracker'. Attendees can also participate in crafts and vote for their favorite parade entry.

What to Expect

Stationary parade with interactive entries and voting

Event Details

Duration

2 hours

Ages

All ages

Timed Entry

No

Featured Performers

  • Michigan Ballet Academy

Organizer

City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation

Food & Drink

Hot chocolate available

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Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 (5/5)

Best For

Families and community members

Vibe

Festive and community-oriented

Energy Level

Low to moderate

Budget

$

Photo Friendly

📷 📷 📷 📷 📷 (4/5)

Weather Sensitivity

Moderate (outdoor elements)

Location

Kentwood Community Center
4755 Walma SE
Kentwood, MI

Know Before You Go

  • Tickets: $ – Get tickets
  • Parking: Parking available at the Kentwood Community Center for the stationary parade.
  • Pets: No pets allowed

Tips & Advice

  • Arrive early to get a good viewing spot for the stationary parade and to ensure you have time for all the activities.
  • Consider bringing non-perishable food donations for the Little Free Pantry to help those in need this winter.
  • Dress warmly as parts of the event are outdoors, but be prepared to warm up inside for performances and crafts.
  • If you plan to enter a float or vehicle in the stationary parade, register in advance and get creative with lights and interactivity.
  • Check the schedule for the specific times of the 'Nutcracker' performances to catch the Michigan Ballet Academy's enchanting show.

Special Events & Promotions

  • Vote for your favorite parade entry to win a prize.
  • Accepting non-perishable food donations for the Little Free Pantry.
  • Opportunity to participate in the stationary parade with registration.

Quick Actions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a stationary parade?

A stationary parade means the floats and entries are set up in a fixed location (the Kentwood Community Center parking lot), and attendees walk through to view them, rather than the parade moving through the streets.

Is there an admission fee for the event?

While participation in the parade as an entry has a $10 fee, attending the Tree Lighting Ceremony and viewing the stationary parade is free.

What are the specific times for visiting Santa?

Visits with Santa are scheduled from 6:45 PM to 8:00 PM.

Can I bring my pet to the event?

No pets are allowed at the event, though service animals are welcome.

What kind of crafts will be available for kids?

The event offers general kids' crafts inside the community center, providing a fun, hands-on activity for younger attendees.

Tags

community celebrationparadesSanta visitsballetfamily friendlychildrens activitiestree lightingholiday traditionfestive foodinteractive displays

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Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly.

Contributors & Updates

Last Updated: Sep 20, 2026
Original Submitter: Sep 17, 2025 The Christmas Events Near Me editorial team