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’d like me to highlight, please send me a note here (suggestions should be submitted at least one week before the event).

MI regulators to hold public hearing on DTE, data center contracts (MI Advance): The state will hold a public hearing Dec. 3 on DTE’s request to supply 1.4 gigawatts of power to a planned data center in Saline Township. Attorney General Dana Nessel pushed for the hearing, arguing the deal needs fuller scrutiny and formal review. Regulators say the session will add transparency, but Nessel says it falls short of the thorough oversight utility customers deserve.

JD Vance gets prison for threatening JD Vance (WILX): A 67-year-old Grand Rapids man was sentenced to two years in federal prison for posting online threats to kill President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and one of Trump’s children. Prosecutors say he made multiple threats on Bluesky this spring and later pleaded guilty to two federal felonies. Officials emphasized that threats against national leaders won’t be tolerated.

Whitmer pardons Vernors and Faygo (CBS News): Gov. Gretchen Whitmer carried on her Thanksgiving tradition Tuesday by pardoning two turkeys—sisters named Faygo and Vernors, chosen through a statewide naming contest. More than 1,500 names were submitted, and thousands voted. These are the fourth and fifth turkeys she’s pardoned since starting the tradition in 2022.

Click the map to explore each location. (Google My Maps)

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. 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

10. Detroit Tree Lighting

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

Campus Martius Park (800 Woodward Ave., Detroit)

11. Sebewaing Spirit of Christmas Festival

Saturday, Nov. 22, all day

Downtown Sebewaing

12. Downtown Rochester Festival of Trees

Nov. 21-23

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

13. Brighton’s Holiday Glow with Christmas Market

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

Downtown Brighton

14. Arts and Greens Holiday Art Market

Nov. 22-23

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

15. Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights Opener

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

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

16. The War Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony

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

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

Did I miss something? If you know of an event this weekend that’s not included on this list that you think is worth knowing about, give me a shout! I may include it in the web version of this newsletter.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega and edited by Paula Solis.

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