Silver Bells in the City: Lansing’s 40th Annual Holiday Celebration Kicks Off

Silver Bells in the City, a beloved holiday event in Lansing, Michigan, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The festivities, which took place on Friday, November 22, 2024, brought a plethora of holiday cheer to downtown Lansing.

The event began with a chip-timed 5K race, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network, where participants could run or walk a marked course through downtown Lansing. The race included a costume contest and awards for top finishers, with proceeds benefiting the Chris & Louise Holman Foundation and local organizations supporting at-risk youth.

The highlight of the evening was the Electric Light Parade, which started at 6 p.m. from the corner of Lenawee Street and South Washington Square. The parade featured over 70 entries, including 11 high school marching bands, horse-drawn dignitary carriages, and Santa Claus atop his sleigh. The parade was broadcast live on FOX 47 and local Comcast Channel 12.

Following the parade, the annual state Christmas tree lighting ceremony took place at the capitol building. This year’s tree, a 60-foot-tall spruce donated by Rich and Dorcas Albertson of Eagle, Michigan, was lit up by dignitaries. Attendees could enhance the spectacle with complimentary LED wristbands, which synchronized with the night’s musical performances.

The evening also included a Firefly Drone Light Show with 200 drones performing in synchronization with music, a Community Sing performance, and a stunning fireworks display over the capitol building, weather permitting.

In addition to these main events, the Silver Bells Village offered holiday shopping with thirty vendors and seven food trailers/trucks. Visitors could also enjoy live music, hot cocoa, and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus along with their live reindeer at the Lansing Center.