Bells, Balls, and Spruce: The City of Lansing’s holiday traditions explained

Photo: Silver Bells in the City

By Lucas Henkel

November 12, 2024

Here are three unique holiday traditions happening in Michigan’s capital that Lansing residents look forward to every year.

Michiganders take their winter traditions pretty seriously. This usually means that they’re more than happy to ditch their swimsuits for sweaters come November.

For Lansing locals, November also marks the return of some of their favorite holiday traditions. Here’s a look at three of them:

Breaking out the balls

While some Michiganders may be debating when the “appropriate” time is to bust out their holiday decorations, Lansing residents know the holiday season is around the corner when the balls come out.

Well, technically, they’re orbs.

Otherwise known as the Orbs of Winter—a set of three large fiberglass ornaments—the sculpture is installed yearly in downtown Lansing on one of the area’s traffic circles and is beloved by locals.

New lawn ornament

Since 1987, an official state Christmas tree has been selected to be placed at the Capitol each holiday season.

This year, a 60-foot eagle spruce was transported from Clinton County to grace the Capitol lawn. The couple who donated the tree—Rich and Dorcas Albertson of Eagle—said that they enjoyed having it for nearly three decades, but that it was overgrowing its spot on their front lawn.

“When we first moved in, we hung lights on the tree each Christmas before it got too big,” the couple said in a press release.

“We will sure miss it. It will be nice to see it adorned with lights one more time this holiday season.”

Getting lit with friends and family

The Albertsons won’t be the only ones looking forward to seeing the decorated tree.

Hundreds of Michiganders will gather on the Capitol lawn to witness the annual tree-lighting ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 as part of the 40th Annual Silver Bells in the City celebration.

As one of Michigan’s premier holiday events, Silver Bells includes an electric light parade featuring over 60 entries, high school marching bands, horse-drawn carriages, the arrival of Santa Claus, and a holiday drone show. The event will conclude with a fireworks display over the Capitol building.

WATCH: 2023 Silver Bells Recap

Author

Lucas Henkel

Lucas Henkel is a Reporter and Strategic Communications Producer for COURIER based in mid-Michigan, covering community stories and public policies across the country.

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