MAP: 18 Michigan events to check out this weekend (Nov. 21-23)

If I had to pick one word to encapsulate this weekend’s events, it would be “lights.”

Highlights include the lighting of Christmas trees in all three of our major cities (including Lansing’s famous Silver Bells celebration), the opening nights of light displays at Detroit and Lansing’s zoos, and Meijer Gardens.

As always, I’d love to hear your suggestions! If you know of an upcoming event you want me to highlight, send me a note here (please send suggestions at least one week before the event).

Michigan events to check out this weekend

West Michigan

1. International Wine, Beer and Food Festival

Nov. 21-22

DeVos Place (303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids)

2. 2025 Holiday Craft Show

Saturday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

HSB, Inc. (5625 Burlingame Ave. SW, Wyoming)

3. Grand Rapids Santa Parade & Tree Lighting

Saturday, Nov. 22, parade begins at 5 p.m.

Downtown Grand Rapids (Division Avenue and Michigan Street)

4. Cedar Springs Celebration of Lights

Saturday, Nov. 22, 6-9 p.m.

17 N. Main St., Cedar Springs

5. ENLIGHTEN at Frederik Meijer Gardens Opener

Sunday, Nov. 24

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids)

Northern Michigan/UP

6. Earlier Than The Bird

Saturday, Nov. 22, 7-11 a.m.

Downtown Boyne City (Lake and Main streets)

7. Mistletoe Market

Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fairview School (1800 E. Miller Road, Fairview)

Mid/South Michigan

8. Silver Bells in the City

Friday, Nov. 21, 5-9 p.m.

Downtown Lansing

9. Holidays in the Heart of the City

Nov. 21-22

Old Town Saginaw to South Washington Avenue

10. Potter Park Zoo’s Wonderland of Lights Opener

Saturday, Nov. 22, 5-8 p.m.

Potter Park Zoo (1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing)

Southeast Michigan/Thumb

11. Detroit Tree Lighting

Friday, Nov. 21, 4-9 p.m.

Campus Martius Park (800 Woodward Ave., Detroit)

12. Nite Lites at MIS Opener

Friday, Nov. 21, 5:30-10 p.m.

Michigan International Speedway (12626 US-12, Brooklyn)

13. Sebewaing Spirit of Christmas Festival

Saturday, Nov. 22, all day

Downtown Sebewaing

14. Downtown Rochester Festival of Trees

Nov. 21-23

The Rochester Community House (816 Ludlow Ave., Rochester)

15. Brighton’s Holiday Glow with Christmas Market

Saturday, Nov. 22, 1-7 p.m.

Downtown Brighton

16. Arts and Greens Holiday Art Market

Nov. 22-23

Bogie Lake Greenhouses (1625 Bogie Lake Road, White Lake Twp.)

17. Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights Opener

Saturday, Nov. 22, 5-10:30 p.m.

Detroit Zoo (8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak)

18. The War Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony

Sunday, Nov. 23, 4-7 p.m.

The War Memorial (32 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms)